Global Hawk flies first operational mission over Canada

For the first time, an RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted vehicle flew its first operational mission over Canadian airspace. 

The aircraft was flown April 8 by pilots and sensor operators from the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron.

According to Capt. Kyle Blaikie with the 12th RS, this was first time a Global Hawk flew over Canada on a nontraining mission. A Global Hawk previously participated in the Canadian exercise Maple Flag.

"We used to fly from Beale to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and then down range from there," he said. "This new route utilized the great circle instead of the old rhumb line navigation, which reduces flight time by 37 percent."

Captain Blaikie explained it's more efficient to fly a northern route than to fly in a straight line when traveling long distances.

"When you fly from California to New York, instead of flying straight across the U.S., aircraft will take a northern route because it's less distance due to the curvature of the earth," he said.

The use of the new route over Canada will reduce the time it takes to ferry aircraft back and forth from forward operating locations.

"We need to bring the aircraft back and forth from the desert so that we can perform critical maintenance at Beale." Captain Blaikie said. "The process of taking aircraft from Beale to forward operating locations used to take months, and now we have streamed line this process into a single 26-hour flight."

For this historic flight to take place, 12th RS officials worked closely with those from other countries to obtain the necessary clearances to utilize their airspace.

"I can't say enough good things about our neighbors to the north," he said. "Everyone that I worked with from the Canadian air force to NAV CANADA, the Canadian version of the FAA, were very cooperative in allowing us to accomplish this mission."

This mission showcases the capacity of the Global Hawk to fly long distances.

"No other remotely piloted aircraft can take off and fly 26 hours around the world without midair refueling," he said.

By Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson - 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs