Creech reservist reaches first in UAS community

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Reserve distinguished itself with a monumental milestone Jul. 31 when one of its own became Creech's first to rise from the rank of sergeant as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems sensor operator and be promoted to chief.

Chief Steven Henderson, an MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator with the 78th Reconnaissance Squadron, celebrated the achievement with his family and friends during a ceremony here.

"Today's ceremony is not just important for me, but because it shows there's a clear career path for sensor operators now," said Chief Henderson. "There's no other place I'd rather be than Creech, and no other career I'd want."

As a sensor operator, Chief Henderson is responsible for assisting the pilot with take-offs, landings, air speeds, altitude, approach speeds, weapons employment and airspace deconfliction.

This position requires a skilled level of airmanship to cross check all functions necessary to fly safely in any airspace, characteristics Chief Henderson embodies with his extensive knowledge of imagery intelligence and sensor operations. He is a Master Intelligence Badge wearer and the second sensor operator in the Air Force to reach 3,000 UAS hours, as a dual-qualified (MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9) operator.

Chief Henderson also serves as the 78th RS' superintendent, leading a staff of more than 35 enlisted members responsible for the day-to-day operations of the MQ-9 as well as a staff of instructors tasked to provide combat-ready sensor operators for worldwide deployment.

"Not only is Chief Henderson crucial to the squadron's everyday functioning, but he is key to carrying out the 365, 24-7 UAS mission that supports our warfighters," said Lt. Col. Ron Stefanik, 78th RS commander. "We're excited to be a part of the Total Force Integration team fighting the war on terrorism, and are proud that one of our members provides this level of expertise to the Air Force."

Chief Henderson joined the Reserve after 20 years in the Regular Air Force (formally known as Active Duty) serving around the world at base, wing and joint levels. Through TFI, the full-time reservist is incorporated into the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech working side by side his RegAF counterparts on a daily basis to accomplish the UAS mission.

"Chief Henderson has been doing 'chief work' for the last two years I've known him, so it's great to see him wearing the chevrons," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard Cromer, 432nd WG and 432nd AEW command chief. "It's amazing how far we've come with TFI, and no one does it better than the 432nd Wing. If you walk the ground at Creech, you'll come across Active Duty working shoulder-to-shoulder with guardsmen and reservists like Steve Henderson, and never see anything more than Airmen getting the job done."

"There is no way we could perform our mission, delivering combat support to joint and coalition warfighters on the ground without what amounts to this truly phenomenal team effort," he said.

(Story contributed to by 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs)