Press Release – Mitchell Institute Announces the 2022 General Atomics RPA Squadron of the Year

Arlington, Virginia | September 14, 2023

On September 11, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies was pleased to present the General Atomics RPA trophy for 2022 to the Scorpions of the 2nd Special Operations Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Florida at AFA’s annual Air, Space, & Cyber Conference. Presenting the award were Lt Gen Jim Slife, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Dave Alexander, President of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and Lt Gen (Ret.) Dave Deptula, the Dean of the Mitchell Institute. 

Each year, the award recognizes the top-performing RPA squadron. The Scorpions flew over sixteen thousand hours of combat throughout 2022 in support of Operation ENDURING SENTINEL, Operation OCTAVE SHIELD, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. The squadron also paved the way for satellite launch and recovery operations during Emerald Flag, and they demonstrated Reaper Agile Combat Employment. Together with many other accomplishments, the Scorpions accelerated progress to realizing the Department of the Air Force’s future concepts of operation for unmanned systems in the 2020s and beyond.   

See photos of the event at the link below.

The General Atomics RPA Squadron of the Year award for 2022 was presented to the 2nd Special Operations Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, FL during the AFA Air, Space, & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, MD on September 11, 2023. From left to right: Lt Gen (Ret.) Dave Deptula, Lt Gen James Slife, Lt Col David Payne, CMSgt Jared Bond, SMSgt TeVarian Pruitt, TSgt Keith Proze, Maj Corey Godwin, and Mr. Dave Alexander. CREDIT: Photo by Jud McCrehin, Air & Space Forces Association.

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