Mitchell Institute awards 111th ATKS the General Atomics RPA Squadron of the Year Trophy

Above: Lt Gen Dave Deptula and Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics, present the 2023 General Atomics RPA Squadron of the Year to the 111th Attack Squadron, Texas Air National Guard, at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas.
Courtesy Kamilla Gunszinger / Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

The RPA Squadron of the Year Award – which was presented by GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue and Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula of the Mitchell Institute at a ceremony held in Ellington Field’s Lone Star Flight Museum on 11th January 2025 – annually recognises the top US Air Force RPA squadron, that demonstrates the most outstanding performance in executing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and persistent attack over the previous calendar year.

The 111th ATKS ‘Aces’ distinguished themselves as the first Air Force MQ-9A unit to achieve full operational capability in the newly fielded Satellite Launch and Recovery system.

In addition, during Exercise Air Defender 2023 – held in Germany and involving NATO member states and other European countries to improve interoperability – they executed the first ever SATCOM launch and recovery operation at a civilian European airport, which meant having to navigate complex bureaucratic procedures and red tape to remotely operate an uncrewed aircraft from thousands of miles away, amongst other military and civilian aircraft.



Above: The 111th Attack Squadron (ATKS) with the RPA Squadron of the Year Award at the awards ceremony in Ellington Field’s Lone Star Flight Museum on 11th January 2025.
Courtesy Jason Talley Photography / General Atomics

Linden Blue said: “I couldn’t be prouder of all the nominated units for their outstanding performance in 2023. But the 111th Attack Squadron truly set the bar, achieving a flawless 100% execution rate. Their hard work supported eight named operations across three continents, nine operating areas and six launch and recovery sites. That kind of dedication and precision doesn’t just happen, it’s a testament to their incredible leadership, teamwork and commitment.”

The Aces have paved the way for future RPA operations and demonstrated the ability of highly trained airmen equipped with advanced technical capabilities, to contribute to the development of air combat.

Lt Col Nathan Rieber, 111th ATKS Commander said: “It was an intense training ambition but the 111th led the United States Air Force, under the unit’s own initiative, to be the first squadron to achieve full operational capability with the MQ-9A’s new Satellite Launch and Recovery capability, all while maintaining an exemplary 100% sortie execution rate.”

Lt Gen Deptula said: “The Aces’ commitment to prove Agile Combat Employment was noteworthy and central to how the Air Force will operate in the future.”

These accomplishments identify the Aces as the US Air Force’s most outstanding Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) squadron.