by Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division
KALSU, Iraq – A helium blimp provided coalition forces the viewpoint to see four insurgents responsible for a roadside bomb attack Sept. 30.
The camera located inside the AEROSTAT, a helium blimp used for aerial surveillance, allowed forces to identify the location of the men who attacked a coalition convoy southeast of Iskandariyah.
"This engagement was tailor made for the AEROSTAT," said 1st Lt. Vitaly Gelfgat of Princeton, N.J. "We saw the blast, found the insurgents responsible and then responded with the necessary force."
This was the second kinetic action that was initiated by AEROSTAT surveillance.
"The mission of the AEROSTAT is to monitor roads, impact areas, provide battle damage assessments and give constant aerial surveillance for defensive purposes," said Sgt. Reuben Carrington of Cabot, Ark.
This multi-million dollar blimp is equipped with a day and infrared setting that allows its user to see a full 360 degrees with distances ranging from 10 meters to several kilometers 24 hours a day.