Though mostly known for its strike capability, the deployment of the MQ-9 Reaper to South Korea brings a potent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. For Kunsan’s Reapers, this capability will clearly be concentrated on the border between South Korea – officially the Republic of Korea – and North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The introduction of MQ-9 Reapers will almost certainly help to chase up any shortfall left by the Guardrail’s retirement. Maintenance personnel standby before a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper takes off in support of Freedom Flag 24-1 at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea on Oct. 30. Freedom Flag 24-1 is a large-scale tactical air force exercise between US and allied partners.