Shadow over live-fire

Photo By Spc. Efren Rodriguez | Soldiers with Delta Company, 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division load an RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a launcher for take-off at Evans Army Airfield near Fort Stewart, Ga., January 25, 2017. Delta Company supported 2nd IBCT battalion field training exercises with surveillance from UAVs. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Efren Rodriguez/Released)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

01.22.2017

Story by Spc. Efren Rodriguez 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. - The Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) Platoon of Delta Company, 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division launched RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in support of 2nd IBCT battalion field training exercises at Evans Army Airfield near Fort Stewart, Georgia, Jan. 22 - 29.

The RQ-7 Shadow UAV can determine vital information such as enemy location, size and activity. Additionally, the Shadow can provide other valuable functions that enable an organization’s understanding of the operational environment.

However during recent training, the UAS platoon provided surveillance and communication retransmission capabilities to support the brigade’s infantry battalions making training more realistic for ground commanders and for their intelligence section.

“Shadow support to China Focus was a critical element of training that helped prepare the S2 section to integrate assets external to the battalion,” said Capt. Casey Tannreuther, intelligence officer with 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

“UAVs are great force multipliers,” said Sgt. Jacqueline Gross, UAV repairer with the UAS platoon. “When you actually get reports back from the mission and find out they destroyed a target or saw the enemy and they’ve let the ground troops know about that, it’s a really great feeling.”

The UAS platoon gives real-time video feed. Commanders can access the video feed on the one system remote video terminal to receive a direct link to what the UAV sees.

The RQ-7 Shadow UAV is designed to cover a brigade area of interest for up to seven hours at a range of 50-125 kilometers.

“It’s a really rewarding feeling knowing that you’re helping people on the ground and how grateful they are that you’re up there for them,” said Spc. Shannon Strakal, UAV operator with the UAS platoon.

• Date Taken: 01.22.2017
• Date Posted: 02.16.2017 11:45
• Story ID: 223760
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US