18X pilots graduate from AF’s first MQ-9 Basic Course
Lieutenant Col. Nathan Hansen, 29th Attack Squadron commander, speaks during an MQ-9 Reaper winging ceremony at the Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., base theater Aug. 16. The graduation ceremony marks the first time a student pilot in the Air Force Specialty Code 18X has completed the MQ-9 Basic Course without having been previously qualified in a manned aircraft. The basic course at Holloman AFB, which is about six months long, accounts for almost half of the total 18X training pipeline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Siuta B. Ika/ Released)