The U.S. Air Force (USAF) activated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (ERS) at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, marking the establishment of the first U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone squadron in the Asian country. The ceremony took place on September 28 and was presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas J. Slater, who assumed command of the unit, integrated as a tenant squadron of the 8th Fighter Wing (FW).
The 431st ERS has a historic background: it was last activated in 1943 as the 431st Fighter Squadron under the Fifth Air Force and maintains a direct lineage with the 431st Test and Evaluation Squadron. Its reactivation aims to reinforce intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific theater.
“Deploying the MQ-9 brings a powerful capability to the region. We’re here to support the mission, deepen cooperation, and demonstrate our shared commitment to maintaining security and stability across the Inda-Pacific,” stated Lt. Col. Slater during the ceremony.
For his part, Captain Ryan Jayawardena, the squadron’s operations director, said: “It’s an honor to write the next chapter, side by side with our Korean allies. Activating the 431st reflects our shared commitment, hard work, and the strength of an alliance ready for today’s challenges.”
According to the U.S. Seventh Air Force, responsible for air operations in South Korea, the squadron’s activation “reinforces the U.S. commitment to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.” Operations with the MQ-9 will support joint ISR priorities, improving responsiveness to threats and emerging situations in the region.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system, designed primarily for intelligence gathering and secondarily for precision strikes with bombs and missiles. Beyond military functions, it can also support humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other regional challenges.
The arrival of the new squadron comes amid U.S. efforts to modernize and strengthen military capabilities in Northeast Asia. In July, the USAF began transferring F-16 Fighting Falcons from Kunsan to Osan Air Base as part of the “Super Squadron Test” program, aimed at concentrating assets and personnel to optimize combat power. At the same time, Osan received upgraded F-16s from Japan and has hosted significant rotations of personnel and equipment.
The MQ-9 deployment in South Korea also follows joint training conducted between July and August at Gwangju Air Base, where South Korean personnel became familiar with operating the platform and integrating surveillance data collected by the drone. In April last year, the USAF carried out the first live-munitions exercise with the MQ-9 in South Korea, using a laser-guided bomb against a simulated target.
The strengthening of U.S. and allied capabilities in the region comes amid growing tensions with North Korea, which continues developing its own drones to boost its conventional military power. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently attended a test of these systems and praised their progress.
For now, Washington has not disclosed whether it plans to deploy additional drones in South Korea to increase surveillance of North Korea’s military activities and Chinese force movements in nearby areas.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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