By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Keeping a low profile and screening movement from enemies is an effective way to keep Soldiers safe in a combat environment. One way the military keeps eyes on an adversary without being seen is with the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
With test flights of their discreet sky vision, Fort Carson Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 110th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, made history Aug. 25, 2016, at the start of the “Iron” Brigade’s National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif.
The Soldiers tested their UAS equipment — including the RQ-11 Raven, a small hand-launched, remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — at the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area (RUBA), marking the first time drones were launched so early in a rotation.
“This is the first time in history a unit was authorized to test out their UAV at RUBA during their training rotation at NTC,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Debra Harlow, 3rd ABCT’s UAS officer.
Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 110th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, set up their unmanned aircraft systems before conducting test flights of RQ-11 Ravens at the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area on Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 25, 2016, during the “Iron” Brigade’s National Training Center rotation. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
The Soldiers were more than ready to break out their equipment and test it over part of Fort Irwin’s vast desert training area.
“We are out here to provide forward air reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition missions while training,” said Sgt. Nathan Streeter, cavalry scout, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ABCT.
UAV typically gathers intelligence used to shape tactical operations to protect Soldiers on the front line of combat.
“We are capable of having eyes on (the) enemy’s position using air assets and optics, and reporting that to higher headquarters,” said Streeter. “That way we are able to see the bigger picture of what’s happening on the battlefield and push assets forward, if needed.”
All the battalions in the brigade have Raven assets.
“We are out here verifying all of our units as well as other units that are attached to us for this training to ensure their equipment is good to fly on their own,” said Streeter.
A Raven takes little time to assemble and launch.
“The Raven is a small, hand-launched remote-controlled UAV that takes up to 15 minutes to launch, from start to finish,” said Streeter.
“It’s been a while since some of the Soldiers have flown (the UAV). This training has helped them to gain familiarization with their equipment, allowing us to be more effective as we train for a potential deployment” he said.
Spc. Crystal Myrick, technical engineer, 3rd ABCT, tested out the Raven for the first time.
“As realistic as this training site seems, it shows us how things really operate on a much larger scale versus training back at Fort Carson,” said Myrick. “This is my first time training at NTC, and my first time actually flying the UAV here. I really enjoyed the opportunity. It gives me confidence knowing I can help the brigade during its simulated combat maneuvers here at NTC as well as for whatever missions lie ahead.”