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.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, pledging to defend Qatar against any external attack, including through military action, in a move likened to NATO's Article 5. The order, published on Wednesday, October 1, was a direct response to an Israeli airstrike on September 9, that targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, killing six people, including a Qatari security officer.

The order states that any armed attack on Qatar's territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure will be regarded as a threat to the peace and security of the United States, and the U.S. will take all lawful and appropriate measures—including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military action—to defend both nations and restore stability.

“Over the years, the United States and the State of Qatar have been bound together by close cooperation, shared interests, and the close relationship between our armed forces,” reads the order. “In recognition of this history, and in light of the continuing threats to the State of Qatar posed by foreign aggression, it is the policy of the United States to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar against external attack.

“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.”

The order states that "In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."

The order is unprecedented in its scope for a non-NATO ally, with its legal weight being less binding than a formal treaty, as such agreements typically require Senate approval. The U.S. designated Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022, recognizing its crucial support during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Qatar hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base, which serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command.

The Israeli strike on Doha, which occurred as Hamas leaders were reportedly considering a ceasefire, shocked Qatari officials and raised serious questions about the strength of U.S. security guarantees for its Gulf allies.

The strike has prompted regional shifts, with Saudi Arabia reportedly entering a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan, bringing the kingdom under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella.

In response, President Trump, during a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, orchestrated a trilateral phone call where Netanyahu expressed "deep regret" for the attack, apologized for violating Qatari sovereignty, and affirmed that Israel would not conduct such an attack again.

The executive order is seen as a significant strategic shift, providing Qatar with a unique security guarantee that no other Arab nation has received The move is also viewed as a political victory for Qatar, which leveraged the crisis to isolate Israel and secure a major diplomatic breakthrough.