Gray Eagle transitions authority after successful mission in the Middle East

Photo By Capt. Charles Baxter | Soldiers from Foxtrot Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas render a salute during the National Anthem at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony Oct. 22, 2015 at Ali Al Saleem Airbase. The Transfer of Authority ceremony signifies the end of their nine month deployment. (U.S. National Guard photo by Capt. Allen Baxter/Released)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

10.23.2015

Story by Sgt. Michael Needham 

185th Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Foxtrot Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from Ft. Riley, Kansas successfully ended their nine month deployment by casing their colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony, Oct. 22 at Ali Al Saleem Air Base.

Over the past nine months the Soldiers from Foxtrot Company conducted a wide variety of missions in support of the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade in Southwest Asia using the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial System which included: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, Attack missions, Bilateral training exercises with partnered countries and over water surveillance training with U.S. Navy Central Command. Throughout the entire deployment members from Foxtrot Company carried out the Gray Eagle mission in six different countries.

“We came into country and it was the first time a Gray Eagle company had ever been deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,” said Capt. Nick Parsai, Commander Foxtrot Company. With very little logistic support Foxtrot Company had to develop and maintain the tactics, techniques and procedures to make the Gray Eagle mission successful. Within the first few months of being operational, Foxtrot Company displayed their potential and became the most requested UAS asset in Southwest Asia. “No other Aviation unit that I have been a part of has had this type of impact theater-wide.”

Unlike traditional UAS assets across the military, the Gray Eagle unmanned aerial systems are maintained and piloted by enlisted Soldiers. “As operators we are solely responsible for acquiring targets and removing the enemy from the battlefield in a timely and effective manner,” said Sgt. Samuel Gray, Gray Eagle Operator, Foxtrot Company.

Taking over the Gray Eagle mission in Southwest Asia is Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from Ft. Hood Texas. “Fox 1st did an outstanding job during their nine month deployment,” said Capt. Kyle Rogers, Commander Foxtrot Company, 227th Aviation Regiment. “I look forward to continue paving the way for future Gray Eagle units to be integrated into the combat fight.”

With the Transfer of Authority complete, the operators and maintainers from Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment can endure the Gray Eagle footprint in Southwest Asia. “I think they are going to be phenomenal, they don’t have to build from the ground up,” said Parsai.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2015
• Date Posted: 10.29.2015 07:26
• Story ID: 180292
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT RILEY, KS, US
• Hometown: JACKSON, MS, US