Air Force Birthday and UAVs
In recent announcements over the birthday of the US Air Force, it is interesting to note that they graphics used on the AF.mil site highlight not the stereotypical F-22, but an MQ-1 Reaper (UAV) instead. As noted earlier, this indicates the rising importance of UAVs in the Air Force.
While the rising star of the military is the UAV force, the community is some time away from establishing itself as a coherent force with identity, focus and a clear mission. There are alot of things that UAVs can do, however, they are extremely limited without total air dominance, both from the air threat and SAM threat. Despite the news of that new pilots may see UAVs is their first operational airframe, there will always be a need for, and a place for, fighter pilots.
Also, that particular aircraft is the MQ-9, a UAV that advertises itself as a replacement for an F-16. The Reaper is capable of 500lb LGB, and laser guided Hellfires (a small anti-tank missile with low collateral damage potential), but ground commanders, especially in the current conflict, need a flexibility of response that requires the availability of F-16, F-15E, B-1, and B-52 in theater.