According to the Air Force, the Predator is a "Joint Forces Air Commander-owned theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of the Joint Force commander." Because the Predator is unmanned it is suitable for deployment in "moderate risk areas", unsecured air space, "open ocean environments, and biological or chemical contaminated environments." In addition, as the October 2001 attacks in Afghanistan have illustrated, the Predator can now perform a search and destroy mission with no apparent risk to US military personnel.