Unmanned Shadow Watches From Above (UAV Eyes in the Sky)

TransFormation DoD ^ | Jan 23, 2006 | Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski

[SandRat]

U.S. Army Sgt. Jeremy Keenan, a Troy, N.Y. native, rolls the "Shadow" out of the hangar to its flightline at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq. Keenan serves with A Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski
Unmanned Shadow Watches From Above
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski / 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2006 – Troops on the ground in Iraq face many risks - the insurgents and anti-Iraqi forces are devious when it comes to placing improvised explosive devices and hiding weapons caches. It always helps to have an extra set of eyes watching over the streets of Iraq. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Platoon of A Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colo., provides the eyes in the sky. The platoon maintains and operates the "Shadow" unmanned aerial vehicle. Their mission is to fly route reconnaissance and surveillance, providing intelligence reports for commanders of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Ward, the platoon sergeant of the Shadow platoon and a Lebanon, Pa., native, said the soldiers conducting ground patrols like it when the Shadow is soaring above them. The insurgents know that when the shadow is in the air, they are being watched. This leads to fewer incidents. Spotting improvised explosive devices and following insurgents as they try to hide is all part of the Shadow's mission and it has been a success. Two weeks ago, the Shadow spotted two 155mm rounds emplaced as a roadside bomb. Providing early warning of troubled areas is what this platoon does and does well.	U.S. Army Pfc. Mark Trombly, a native of Worcester, Mass., conducts a walk around inspection of the Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle. Trombly is serving with A Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division near Baqubah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert L. Lilly, a Beckley, W.Va. native, is a section leader in the platoon and responsible for deciding who will fly and what missions. "They love the mission. It's a great job. We get to fly airplanes and help people while we are doing it," said Lilly. Spotting improvised explosive devices is not the only thing the Shadow's camera can do – it is can spot disturbances in the dirt where a weapons cache may be buried or follow a high value targets as they move about. The Shadow platoon enjoys their job knowing that they can spot troubled areas before the ground troops roll upon them, endangering their lives.

[SandRat]

Eyes in the Sky over Iraq!!!

[pissant]

And they did a nice job of killing 5 terrorists and their hosts the other day in Pakistan!!!!!

[Travis McGee]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/shadow.htm

Good link to more on the Shadow UAV.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Cool - thanks for posting!

[Chena]

I just saw my first Shadow! Does that mean spring's coming? LOL

Seriesly though, thanks for posting this wonderful news report. God bless our troops who serve under the Shadow. :)

[Lurker]

Here's Clan Lurkers UAV:

It comes complete with a launcher, camera, and a roll of 110 film. We can't wait for spring...

L

[Lurker]

Here's the one I want:

Take some of the most fantastic digital pictures ever from an eagle's eye view with this amazing R/C model airplane! Designed for anyone to fly, this giant size, twin engine (ducted fan jet engines) jet can reach heights of 1000 feet and snap up to 26 digital pictures on command along the way. Camera pod snaps off the plane for easy download of your pictures to your computer. Includes a simple to use takeoff system, two rechargeable flight batteries, a charger that operates at home or the flying field, a four function controller, software, USB cable and two button cell batteries for camera. Camera's resolution is 72 dpi. Ages 12+.

Now all I need is some adult supervision...

L

[geezerwheezer]

That looks to be some really serious hardware....think I can get it down at my local hobby shop for $79.95 ea.?

[Lurker]

I saw a thing on Discovery Channel about a guy who built his own mini-surveillance helicopter. The thing weight about 15 lbs and had a real-time video link attached.

He was buzzing it all over his neighborhood.

Now, how much fun could you have with that!

L

[Travis McGee]

It's easier for me, writing fiction. I'm just going to have someone "borrow" a UAV from the Border Patrol. (I mean, they don't use them anyway, except for showing to reporters.)

[Lurker]

You're right. They'll never miss it.

L

[Travis McGee]

As long as it's back by the next press opportunity.

[Lurker]

You should have seen the little helo I saw on Discovery. The guy built it from a kit apparently and mounted a CCD camera on it and installed a vidlink back to his pc.

He was having a gas spying on his neighbors barbecues. My twisted little mind was turning over all kinds of possibilities....

L

[E.G.C.]

BTTT