8th Iraqi Army Division familiarizes with the Shadow

Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Officers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division, watch and learn as Soldiers from Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct pre-flight checks on a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle launcher prior to a launch during familiarization training at Camp Echo, Iraq, March 29.  

DIWANIYAH, IRAQ

04.01.2009

Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Officers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division participated in familiarization training and a launch demonstration of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles at Camp Echo, Iraq, March 29.

Soldiers from Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted the training by reviewing technical data, explaining training requirements for operators and maintenance personnel of the TUAV and launching a Shadow TUAV to demonstrate its surveillance capabilities first-hand.

"We were happy to show them our capabilities for surveillance and they were pleased to learn," said Staff Sgt. Henry Henson, TUAV sergeant, Co. A.

He said the Iraqis expressed a lot of interest in obtaining a similar system through the Iraqi government.

"We're hoping for future joint operations, assisting them in learning the capabilities until they can be self-sustaining," the Yuba City, Calif., native said.

"The demonstration was excellent," said Lt. Col. Kassim Kathem, commander for the 8th IA Div. military intelligence battalion. "We hope this surveillance capability will be available to every Iraqi soldier and officer as they conduct their missions. We hope to have a [UAV] unit."

Kathem said they appreciated the coalition forces' assistance with UAVs in the past, but felt that "Iraqi personnel could use this technology more effectively because they know the area better. Our units could have greater command and control of our areas of responsibility with such an asset."

• Date Taken: 04.01.2009
• Date Posted: 04.01.2009 03:24
• Story ID: 31839
• Location: DIWANIYAH, IQ