Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sinthia Rosario | Pfc. William Pullin, a radio/telephone operator, Company C, 5th Battalion, 20th...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Soldiers of Company C, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, launched their Raven Unmanned Aerial System into the bright blue skies to test its limitations, systems operation and capabilities May 18-19.
The test also gave the unit the opportunity to ensure the Ravens’ mission readiness in the event the unit goes on a mission that requires the use of this aircraft.
“The first test will check the accuracy of the grid coordinates the Raven gives us in order to determine if they are accurate enough for use as a fires observation platform,” said Capt. Christopher J. Colyer, company commander, 5-20 Infantry. “The second test will check our ability to deploy the Raven from beyond line of sight and hand off control to another operator.”
Colyer continued saying that the third one tests the ability to deploy and recover the Raven from a moving Stryker in order to clear the dead space in front of the vehicle while moving.
These three tests are important because the Raven provides a tactical advantage for the unit through the information it gathers during its flight.
The Raven has the ability to gather intelligence, provide surveillance, conduct reconnaissance operations, locate enemy targets and other capabilities that can further assist the unit during their missions.
Pfc. William Pullin, a radio/telephone operator, 5-20 Infantry, holds the Raven steady in his hand and checks the wind as he prepares to launch the bird for testing.
“With the launches, we’re looking for good wind to throw into,” said Pfc. Gary Prtune, a raven operator, 5-20 Infantry. “Not too much wind, because the bird is small and it will get thrown around. As long as the equipment is ready to go, about the only limitation you have is the wind when you launch.”
As the Raven soars in the sky, it sends information to the Ground Control Station where the aircraft is being controlled by the vehicle operator using a hand controller.
“That hand controller allows me to manually operate the bird as well as see all the vital information that’s going to affect the flight," Prtune said. “While the Raven is in the air, I’m always making sure I have good connection with the Raven, I don’t want to lose it.”
He continued saying that when the Raven is flying he is scanning what the aircraft is looking at to provide intelligence or reconnaissance to his commander.
To ensure the Raven is working properly, the unit performed these tests multiple times knowing the full value of the aircraft.
“I love it, I think it’s a fantastic asset,” Prtune said. “I was trained on the Raven in Afghanistan, so I got to use it firsthand and right away. I have seen positive effects come from utilizing the Raven.”
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2015 18:09 |
| Story ID: | 164164 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Hometown: | BELLEVILLE, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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