Unmanned aerial systems help in intelligence gathering

Courtesy Photo | The soldiers of the launch and recovery site, Sgt. Jerrod Fox, Pfc. Bryant Rutledge, Sgt. Jason Cantrell, Sgt. Guillermo Elias, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Vasquez, Sgt. Jonathan Metts, Pfc. Brannigan Kerr, Spc. William Patterson, Sgt. Richard Whitfield, and Staff Sgt. Eli Isaac show off the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned air vehicle, Aug. 24. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Michael Knuchel)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, IRAQ

09.10.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. Eli Issac

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, Iraq –Located in the southern region of Iraq, the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Platoon, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plays a vital role in enabling commanders to make decisions in order to maintain stability throughout Maysan by assisting in intelligence collection.

The TUAS mission consists of providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, target detection, and counter-indirect fire operations. As unmanned aerial vehicle operators and maintainers, soldiers in the TUAS platoon serve at both the launch and recovery site and forward site.

Co-located with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, tactical operations center at COS Garry Owen, the launch and recovery site is where soldiers conduct TUAS flight operations, including pre-flight operations, launching aircraft, and landings.

“We prepare and conduct air reconnaissance missions and operate our payload for target detection. Being able to track a target and assist soldiers on the ground give the soldiers in the platoon a real sense of accomplishment,” said Sgt. Frank Jentink, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., a UAV operator.

Launch and recovery site operations also rely a great deal on the expertise of the unmanned aircraft systems repairers, whose responsibilities consist of repairing the aircrafts electrical, avionics, propulsion, and fuel systems.

“I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I joined the platoon, but after being part of it for five months and knowing what we’ve accomplished, I can say that we’ve definitely contributed to the security of Iraq,” said Sgt. Jason Cantrell of Newport News, Va., UAV maintenance and repair.

At the forward site, the TUAS mission changes to planning and execution in order to meet the commander’s priority intelligence requirements. These tasks include assisting with intelligence collection and dissemination, coordinating with higher and adjacent units, and creating and maintaining an operational data base, all while supervising operations and activities of the platoon.

“I understand the importance UAV’s play on the battlefield and knowing that I’ve contributed is a reward in itself,” said Spc. Branigan Kerr, of Los Angeles, Calif., a UAV operator.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2010
• Date Posted: 09.13.2010 09:06
• Story ID: 56198
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, IQ