Photo By Spc. Adam Blazak | After launching a tactical unmanned aircraft system, Sgt. Dennis L. Perry and Spc....... read more read more
By Pfc. Adam Carl Blazak
11th Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq – Soaring high in the sky, a high-tech, tactical unmanned aircraft system conducts a surveillance mission in the heart of Mosul. To some, this may seem like an extraordinary accomplishment, but to 66th Military Intelligence Company. 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment this is business as usual.
Day or night, the aircrafts are used to help offset improvised explosive device attacks through IED surveillance.
"We have daily counter IED surveillance," said Spc. Jeff A. Hawkins, a crew chief with 66th MI Co. He added that while "most missions are counter IED, the TUAS's help with kidnappings as well."
The TUAS, with the official tag of Shadow 200, is capable of flying at higher elevations getting better views of targets with its rotating, zooming camera than traditional aircrafts, said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas E. Willome Jr., a mission commander of 66th MI Co.
Because of its ability to fly at high altitudes, the aircraft maintains stealthy operations while flying over neighborhoods in search of the enemy.
"They know we're out there, just not where we're at," Willome Jr. mentioned.
By using the TUAS's instead of manned aircraft, the 66th MI Co. gains surveillance intelligence without "putting anybody at risk," he added.
With a fleet of TUAS's on Forward Operating Base Diamondback's airfield, this company has had much experience with the aircraft.
"We have over 5,500 hours of accident-free flying," Willome Jr. boasted. "We broke the Army's previous record."
Having this technology is more cost-efficient than traditional surveillance aircrafts, Willome Jr. said.
"The government is starting to develop more of these systems," he said. "It's the way of the future."
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2008 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 21113 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 275 |
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