Soldiers get bird's eye view during training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Scott Fletcher | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Ciballi, left, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and U.S. Army Spc. Kerstin Jeffries, right, assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, assemble a RQ-11B Raven Small Unmanned Surveillance System (SUAS) during a training exercise near Fort Bliss, Texas, Oct. 15, 2022. The RQ-11B Raven provides Soldiers on the battlefield real-time intelligence gathering capabilities, allowing for increased force protection and battlespace control. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Fletcher)  

FORT BLISS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

10.15.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Fletcher 

37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

FORT BLISS, Texas— Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently conducted the Raven Small Unmanned Surveillance System Basic Operator Course. The training covered how to assemble, maintain, and operate the RQ-11B Raven SUAS over the course of a multiple-day field training exercise. The training was conducted as a part of the 37th IBCT’s mobilization in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

“The Raven SUAS Basic Operator Course allows Soldiers the opportunity to become familiar with airspace requirements, the air vehicle itself, mission planning and performing missions all while understanding the functionality of the of the system and its overall capabilities that can directly assist their commanders with mission success,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tory Elrich, SUAS Master Trainer for the 37th IBCT. “The class involves classroom portions but is very hands on with new operators getting as much real world flight time as possible.”

Over the course of the training, Soldiers of the 37th IBCT learned the steps to assembling the SUAS, how to control and monitor the system from the ground, and techniques for flying the system, among other tasks. This can directly translate to mission success on the battlefield, allowing for Soldiers and their units to leverage this technology to counter adversarial action inside and outside of combat.

“The drone is super valuable and versatile as it has many tactical surveillance uses,” said Spc. Gregory Packard, a cable systems installation-maintainer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who took part in the training. “It can be deployed to conduct surveillance which would normally require dedicating manpower and lives for a potentially dangerous mission.”

The 37th IBCT trains over systems such as the RQ-11B to maintain a modern and lethal edge when controlling the battlespace. This training is just one of many the 37th has conducted to maintain mission readiness as they mobilize in support of OIR.

“The Raven RQ-11B provides aerial surveillance on the battlefield, providing real-time footage of what is going on,” said Elrich. “It allows commanders at all levels to be able to successfully perform area reconnaissance, surveillance and Battle Damage Assessments without assuming the risk of sending Soldiers into a potentially hostile area. It can help save lives.”


For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Scott Fletcher
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• Date Taken: 10.15.2022
• Date Posted: 10.19.2022 12:49
• Story ID: 431632
• Location: FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US