Unmanned aerial system fires weapons in combat; proves capabilities, makes history
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Monday, 02 March 2009
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
www.mnc-i.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20090302-01
March 2, 2009
Unmanned aerial system fires weapons in combat; proves capabilities, makes history
Multi-National Division – North PAO
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – A team of Soldiers from Alpha Troop, , 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, made history Feb. 23 when the unmanned aerial vehicle they were operating became the first armed Warrior Alpha unmanned aerial system to fire missiles in combat.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Rhoades, Cpl. Phillip Cheng and Spc. James Pegg were operating the UAS in support of 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. The team was providing surveillance for U.S. and Iraqi ground troops in the Diyala province when insurgents engaged the Coalition forces.
“We neutralized both targets – [the ground forces] were satisfied,” Rhoades said.
Although systems operators are trained to deploy the weapons platform, this was the first time the Warrior Alpha system engaged a target in combat.
“We know we have the capability, but we’ve never had the opportunity to use it before,” Cheng explained.
Task Force ODIN was activated in Iraq in 2007 as one of many initiatives to help defeat the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and give Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) support to lower echelon field commanders.
At an Army Aviation Association of America conference in May 2007, Gen. Richard Cody, then Vice Chief of Staff of the Army who ordered the creation of TF ODIN in 2006, said the task force “is really showing us why we need to put UAS inside the CABs…anytime you can see the enemy and he doesn’t know you’re watching is a good thing – but not good enough. You also must be able to do something about it, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”
Rhoades said using UAS weapon systems could help save time and lives.
“Say we see someone emplacing IEDs,” he explained. “If we can see it, our customer can see it, and they can call in a team to diffuse it - but that puts ground troops in harm’s way. If we have Hellfires on board, we can get authorization, take out the whole emplacement, and no ground troops get injured.”
Pegg said he hopes Task Force ODIN operators will be called upon to use Warrior Alpha weapons more frequently now that the system has proven effectiveness in combat.
“I hope we do, and believe we probably will,” he said.
Rhoades agreed, saying, “We were happy to be able to be a part of it, and show the ground forces what we are capable of.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: MNDNPAO@25ID.ARMY.MIL OR DSN 318-856-0218.
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