After the 558th Flying Training Squadron, students will learn to fly their major weapons system, such as the RQ-4 pictured here, before reporting to their operational squadron.

An MQ-9 armed with four GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions parked before a February 2018 mission from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. A key aspect of the training at the 558th Flying Training Squadron involves not just learning to fly, but also foundational knowledge about the principles of employing remotely piloted aircraft for strike missions.

The Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper variant is equipped with improved electrical and communications systems to provide better software and hardware upgrades for future operations.

A student trains on a T-6 simulator and an instructor operates the instrument computer panel. Students undertake an RPA instrument qualification consisting of 140 academic hours and 36 flights in a T-6 simulator as part of their training programme.