The US Army’s oldest unmanned aircraft system had its final flight here as part of a ceremony that marked transitions for both the aircraft and its operators, December 16.

Fort Hood Soldiers and guests said goodbye to the Hunter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) the Army’s first UAS, during the ceremony at Robert Gray Army Airfield.

“Thundercats, congratulations on your part of history, that you’re making today,” Lt. Colonel Gregory Hardy, commander of the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion, said during the ceremony commemorating the flight. “I am absolutely confident that you’re going to excel, as you have in the past, as we transform into a Grey Eagle company.”

The Hunter was the first UAS to be actively employed by the US Army, according to an Army press release. The Hunter was fielded in 1995 to both the Joint UAS training base on Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and to Fort Hood with Company A, 15th Military Intelligence Battalion, III Corps’ Aerial Exploitation unit. Subsequently, the Hunter was fielded to the Joint Readiness Training Center on Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1999 and to the Initial Brigade Combat Team on Fort Lewis, Washington, in 2000, and to V Corps at Hohenfels, Germany, in 2003.

After two decades on Fort Hood, the Hunter is being transferred to government-owned, contractor-operated units supporting operations overseas.