Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Caine Storino | Intelligence Specialist 1st Class John Tallaksen, from Winder, Georgia, assigned to...... read more read more
For the first time in the history of the Naval Construction Force (NCF), an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was used in a Seabee operational exercise to gather imagery and data for a simulated airfield damage assessment August 7, 2019.
Intelligence Specialist 1st Class John Tallaksen, from Winder, Georgia, and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Andrew Cleary, from Ramsey, New Jersey, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, piloted the SkyRaider R80D UAS during the battalion's Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
“We're the first Seabee battalion to utilize this technology and show its capabilities,” said Tallaksen. “It's humbling and I think it really signifies our motto of 'The First and the Finest'.”
NCF leadership has emphasized UAS technologies due to its relevance in Seabee operations.
“[Naval Construction Group 2] wanted to see the effectiveness of UAS for Seabees in the field,” said Tallaksen. “Cleary and I were selected to become among the first UAS pilots in the Seabees.”
To test the battalion’s UAS capabilities, a scenario was developed for NMCB-1's FTX where a road was damaged by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Normally, Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA) is a capability of the Seabees where units analyze damage and then make repairs. In the scenario, the same methods were applied, only this time using a UAS to help assess damage.
“The intent was to prove the concept that BDA can be done with UAS,” said Tallaksen. “We can measure craters, assess needed materials for damage repair, and call [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] all because of UAS.”
This first UAS flight was a success; the UAS operated effectively and the scenario was a great learning experience for the pilots.
“I had a blast piloting the UAS,” said Cleary. “It's cool being one of the first pilots in the Seabees. I want to fly it again soon.”
“It's so cool to fly these things,” said Tallaksen. “It can be nerve-wracking at first because you're flying an expensive piece of equipment, but you get used to it.”
Ensign Adam Goldsmith, assigned to NCG-2, oversaw the development of the UAS program and trained NMCB-1 personnel on pilot qualifications and UAS operations. After seeing the system's first flight, he believes it's ready to use in regular Seabee operations.
“This system allows the NCF to pursue new tactics, techniques and procedures that will heighten force protection and improve the speed and quality of construction projects,” said Goldsmith. “The UAS program is a great example of how the NCF is able to adapt to a changing technological environment and remain innovative.”
After the successful piloting from NMCB-1, the future of UAS in the Seabees is bright. A variety of applications are currently being explored.
To learn more about NMCB-1 and their impacts around the world, visit https://www.facebook.com/NMCB-ONE-The-First-and-The-Finest-124282507598400/
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2019 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 336814 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Hometown: | RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Hometown: | WINDER, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 446 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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