7th RS - 2020 Year in Review

7TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON

For the Airman professionals at the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (7th RS), 2020 was much like it was for other commands here at Naval Air Station Sigonella. Our success in executing our mission while balancing COVID-19 mitigation measures was only made possible by the commitment and expertise of our squadron members.

This year we welcomed over 80 active-duty Airmen to the 7RS. These Airmen operate and maintain our new remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) command and control (C2) satellite communications (SATCOM) relay, commonly referred to as EUR3. The remainder of the new arrivals are Global Hawk maintainers who have begun training to develop the skills needed maintain the aircraft, and generate RQ-4 surveillance and reconnaissance missions. When you include the more than 75 contractor personnel to the total, the 7th RS becomes one of the largest tenant commands onboard NASSIG.

With that, we have continued our support at Motor Vehicle Registration Office, and taken advantage of our joint environment to integrate the squadron’s security forces professionals with the Navy’s Master-at-Arms for joint patrols and base defense planning. We also have had the opportunity to work with our fellow RQ-4 teammates at NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) and the Italian Air Force (ITAF). This year, we have assisted every command on the flight line with shared resources and maintenance expertise. We have strengthened our own capabilities and propelled NATO AGS toward their full operational capability.

Day in and day out, the Airmen of the 7th exemplify professionalism in all aspects of their performance. They are committed to blazing trails and accelerating change, relentlessly innovative and unrelenting in their efforts to break barriers. 2021 promises more historic milestones, exercising the agility, endurance, and reach of our platform, and our Airmen to continue to drive our critical operations in support of the security of the United States, NATO allies and partner nations.

The Titans of the 7th Recon Squadron wish to thank the greater NASSIG community for all they do in assisting us in delivering world class, reliable, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance from the Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia theaters. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a prosperous New Year.