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    Rail Gunners keep Soldiers safe with 'eye in the sky'

    Rail Gunners keep Soldiers safe with 'eye in the sky'

    Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | A ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle takes off for a morning mission around Forward...... read more read more

    By Spc. Allison Churchill
    41st Fires Brigade

    FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – The 41st Fires Brigade is employing a nearly invisible machine to keep Soldiers safe and improve the lives of Iraqis in Wasit province.

    A ScanEagle crew, consisting of operators and maintainers of the unmanned aerial system developed by Boeing and the Insitu Group, arrived on FOB Delta in April ready to put their technology to work. Already, they've seen results.

    "We (can) follow people we suspected (of criminal activities) and put together intelligence," said Michael Yeck, ScanEagle site lead.

    He and his team are able to see when improvised explosive devices are planted and pass on the information so the IED could be disarmed.

    A former Marine, Yeck worked with unmanned aerial vehicles before he left the service in 1998, and again when he was called back in to deploy to Anbar Province in 2006.

    The ScanEagle has numerous benefits over other UAVs, said Yeck. Its smaller size makes it nearly unheard when flying at less than 2,000 feet. It doesn't require a runway, due to its Super Wedge launcher and Skyhook retrieval system, although Yeck said the crew does prefer working in smooth areas in case an emergency landing is necessary.

    Although the Army has used Soldier-run unmanned aerial vehicles for more than 15 years, 214th Fires Brigade, which had authority of FOB Delta and the surrounding area before 41st Fires Bde, https://core.us.army.mil/institution/organization/unitsandcommands/divisions/10thmountain/ was the first Army unit to use the ScanEagle.

    The team running the system doesn't change out as often as the units do, which provides continuity and benefits the incoming units, said Maj. Jennifer Finch, 41st Fires Bde. intelligence officer-in-charge.

    "We have government contractors who know the system and have the expertise to meet mission requirements," said Finch, a native of Goose Creek, S.C.

    Several Soldiers from the intelligence shop have started training with Yeck and his crew so brigade leaders can use the UAV to its fullest potential. The Soldiers are learning to interpret the information so they can develop a clearer picture of the battlefield to the commander.

    "This is a brigade-controlled asset that helps control the safety of our Soldiers when they leave the wire," said Finch.

    Less than ten days into the deployment, the ScanEagle proved its worth to the brigade. The ScanEagle team was able to provide valuable information about an attempted attack on the base.

    Future missions for the ScanEagle will be determined to ensure Soldiers receive the proper support.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.05.2008
    Date Posted: 07.05.2008 14:07
    Story ID: 21206
    Location: AL KUT, IQ

    Web Views: 139
    Downloads: 122

    PUBLIC DOMAIN