Eyes in the skies

Courtesy Photo | Two Pilots bring a Hunter UAV to a safe landing after a 12 hour flight around Iraq.  

BALAD, IRAQ

09.26.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story by U.S. Army Pfc. Mark B. Matthews
27th Public Affairs Detachment

(LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Balad, Iraq) -- In 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the very first powered, heavier-than-air machine capable of controlled, sustained flight with a pilot. These flying machines quickly evolved into commercial planes capable of fast and long-distance travel and fighter jets capable of great speeds and maneuverability. Today, more than 100 years after the Wright Brothers" first flight, technology has taken aerial vehicles in a whole new direction.

Soldiers from A Company, 15th Military Intelligence Battalion conduct daily operations in Iraq by launching, piloting and landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at Logistics Support Area Anaconda.

The UAVs are known as Hunters and are constantly flying over the skies in Iraq. The mission and responsibility of piloting these UAVs is a tough yet rewarding one.

"We collect surveillance all around Iraq," said Spc. Cody Rudsell, 15th MI Bn. "We have day video, night video and inferred technology, which allows us to watch raids, follow convoys or whatever else that needs to be done from the air."

Before pilots or operators can take these UAVs to the air they must understand what the vehicle is capable of, how to pilot the vehicle and what to do in an emergency situation. Training to become a UAV pilot or operator requires a six month training course.

"The UAVs cost around $1.3 million," Rudsell said. "I feel a great since of pride and responsibility that the military trust a junior enlisted with flying such an expensive piece of equipment."

For a mission to be a complete success it take a team of Soldiers. Everyone who is apart of the UAV missions has a specific and equally vital role to play. Pilots and operators control the UAV's launch, flight and landing. Mechanics maintain the crafts" electrical systems and hardware and after the mission the intelligence collected from the mission must be analyzed and put to good use by the post mission specialists.

The Soldiers seem to take the long hours and hard work with a great since of pride that they are contributing something very important to the operations in Iraq.

"It feels great to know what the (UAV's) are doing for the Soldiers that are out there on the ground," Spc. Emery Redenius, A Co. 15th MI Bn. "I have seen personally what these (UAVs) can do and it seems very important."

Technology has jumped leaps and bounds since the days of Orville and Wilbur Wright and with dedicated, hard-working Soldiers constantly doing what they do the foundation the Wright Brothers laid so long ago will continue to be built upon.

Editor's note: Pfc. Matthews is assigned to the 27th Public Affairs Detachment from Fort Drum, NY. He is currently deployed to Iraq in support of the 1st Corps Support Command at LSA Anaconda.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2005
• Date Posted: 09.26.2005 14:14
• Story ID: 3110
• Location: BALAD, IQ