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FORT BLISS, Texas – Iron Soldiers tested their expertise flying drones in support of combat operations during a qualification trial Dec. 7 here.
The trial, or “gunnery,” challenged Soldiers from D Company, 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, to validate their knowledge and skills of the developing technology that is in high demand among ground combat troops.
The gunnery is also a new requirement for brigade combat teams wishing to use their UAS capabilities at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana.
As such, the Soldiers from D Company’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Platoon were the first in any Army brigade combat team to complete UAS Gunnery Tables I, V and VI – a set of tests and obstacles that gage the platoon’s ability to use the RQ-7B Legacy Shadow aircraft in support of ground troops effectively.
“This rigorous training ensured the platoon’s ability to conduct dynamic flight operations with the RQ-7B Shadow aircraft, to include calling for fire and laser designation for Hellfire missiles,” said Staff Sgt. Douglas Robillard, UAS platoon instructor-operator.
The three “tables” evaluated the Soldiers’ knowledge and skills of applying drone technology in support of Army and joint operations. Table I tested the Soldiers’ academic understanding of combat drone application, while Tables V and VI were used to validate the Soldiers’ expertise at actually operating the aircraft with weaponry.
The UAS platoon completed all these requirements to achieve their goal of Table VI qualification, said Capt. Justine Meberg, D Company commander.
“This accomplishment was the result of teamwork not only among members of the UAS platoon, but across the 1st Armored Division,” Meberg said. She credited the division Combat Aviation Brigade with providing expertise, instruction and “strong support” to her company to complete the gunnery. Army CABs were the first to field UAS platoons and conduct UAS gunneries.
According to Meberg, the unit will use this training in the future to provide additional support to the intelligence and targeting processes.
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2016 10:44 |
| Story ID: | 185850 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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