US Air Force Establishes MQ-9 Reaper Drone Unit In South Korea

The U.S. Air Force has reactivated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, marking the first permanent deployment of MQ-9A Reaper drones on the Korean Peninsula.

The MQ-9 Reaper, a turboprop-powered unmanned aerial vehicle, has a range exceeding 2,575 kilometers(km) and can remain airborne for over 24 hours, enabling extended ISR missions. It is capable of carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-54 laser-guided bombs for combat roles.

The unit, which was originally formed in 1943 as the 431st Fighter Squadron during World War II, was reactivated on Sept. 28,, to serve as a tenant unit under the 8th Fighter Wing, known as “the Wolf Pack.” Commanded by Lt. Col. Douglas J. Slater, the squadron is tasked with enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Indo-Pacific theater, supporting U.S.-South Korea alliance priorities.

The 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is the first permanent MQ-9 Reaper unit stationed in South Korea, replacing previous rotational deployments of the drone. The activation signifies a strategic shift to maintain a persistent aerial surveillance presence in the region.

The squadron’s location at Kunsan Air Base allows it to monitor North Korea, the Yellow Sea, and areas extending into eastern China, including major cities like Beijing and Shanghai Its reach also covers the East China Sea and Taiwan, approximately 1,287 km away.

The 431st was first activated in 1943 in Australia, flying P-38 Lightning fighters as bomber escorts in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It later relocated to Seoul in 1945 before being deactivated in 1949. It was reactivated in 1952 as an air defense squadron and later served as a test and evaluation unit for the F-111 Aardvark until its inactivation in 1992.

The reactivation comes alongside other strategic moves, including the relocation of 31 F-16 fighter jets from Kunsan to Osan Air Base, closer to the Demilitarized Zone, to form a “super squadron” and increase combat readiness.

The U.S. military has not disclosed the number of Reapers or personnel assigned to the squadron, citing security concerns. The unit’s activation underscores the U.S. commitment to regional security amid rising tensions and North Korea’s continued missile testing.