First MQ-9A at Leeuwarden
The first Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Block 5 Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) has arrived at Leeuwarden air base. The Reaper, serial unknown but most probably M-004, will be used for training purposes first of 306 Squadron personnel.
The other three MQ-9As are based at Hato airport at Curaçao in the Caribbean. These three will be "operated" via a Ground Control Station (GSC) at Leeuwarden air base soon. In November 2022, Scramble Magazine first wrote that the fourth MQ-9 and two GSCs would arrive at Leeuwarden in December 2022 and become operational in 2023.
The newly delivered Reaper has been adorned with special 70 years "NATO's Fighting Eyes" 306 Squadron markings showing the aircraft types that is has been operating over this period; F-84E Thunderjet, RT-33A T-bird, RF-84F Thunderflash, RF-104G Starfighter and RF-16A Fighting Falcon.
At the twitter account of the KLu (@Kon_Luchtmacht) you can see the video that was made in assembling the Reaper.
Photo by Koninklijke Luchtmacht