And one more thing. It does not require a JTAC to employ it’s hellfires, mainly because it has two FM radios, UHF, and VHF, all relayed by satellite if necessary. I was asked by a Green-Flag West officer at the National Training who gives them authorization to shoot. My reply was who gives authorization for a AH-64 or OH-58D pilot to fire hellfires or gun. Of course, the answer usually the on scene commander if in contact with troops. Now, we will allow a JTAC to employ it for reconnaissance and surveillance and fires, but one does not have to have the accroutrements of a JTAC, UHF radio, and certificate of training from Nellis AFB as a JTAC or JFO.

One more bit of detail, the MQ-1C operators WILL all be in the theater that they are supporting, living from a facility with asphalt or concrete, but in theater always, albeit always not far from the mess facility and Salsa and Country night at the clamshell (‘m thinking Bagram Airfield).

Command Master Chiefs are selected to be Command Master Chief Program based on demonstrated sustained superior performance, and most notably, a strong endorsement from their commanding officer based on solid recommendations from a current serving Command/ Force Master Chief.

CMC Stitts and other CMC’s that have been relieved were endorsed by someone in the CMC community. If someone did the research; they would find commonalities relating to endorsements/ false official statements made to the CMC’s selected and fired? Get rid of the ones that are still serving in the Command Master Chief positions and have failed at funneling out the bad apples in their CPO mess.