Unmanned Predator Kills Three Terrorists; Relative Turns in Suspect

American Forces Press Services ^ | March 29, 2006

[Cecily]

An MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle engaged three insurgents in the process of planting a homemade bomb along a road near Balad Air Base, Iraq, yesterday evening and launched an AGM-114 Hellfire missile against the group. The Predator monitored the three terrorists for about a half hour while they used a pick ax to dig a hole in the road, placed an explosive round in the hole, and strung wires from the hole to a ditch on the side of the road. When it was clear the individuals were placing a bomb, the Predator launched the 100-pound Hellfire missile, killing all three insurgents.

"This is a prime example of how airpower is supporting the fight on the ground," Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad, said. "We're able to provide a persistent view of the battlefield to commanders on the ground and, if called upon, put a weapon on a target within minutes."

Using joint Army and Air Force trend analysis and past incident reporting from the area, the Predator was assigned to monitor the general location where the insurgents were ultimately found. "Based on the information we had available, we had a pretty good idea there might be some activity in the area, and we were right," Gorenc said. "This strike should send a message to our enemies that we're watching you, and we will take action against you any time, day or night, if you continue to stand in the way of progress in Iraq."

[Californiajones]

Hey, I'd thrown in another fifty bucks to the cost of a Hellfire missile if they'd coat it in fresh pigskin.

[jdluntjr]

Actually it is piloted by air force pilots. Generally those with fighter or ground attack experience.

[tlb]

Prime contractors for the system are Rockwell International Corporation and Martin Marietta Corporation. The cost per missile is about $58,000.

http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/HELLFIRE.html

[Godzilla]

It would be possible to mistake this actvity for an IED crew. And, as others have helpfully pointed out, the predator has the ability to make that distinction. You my friend, do not.

I don't think you've been reading what I have told you in my previous posts. The optics on the predator are more than capable enough to allow the ground controllers to evaluate what is going on, with detail accuracy to discern survey equipment, etc. from other non constructional materials. They watched the activity for 30 minutes. That activity was not that which would be related to regular maintenance work. Thus I have said that the predator has the ability to allow the ground controllers to distinguish that activity. And yes, I know in Montana they sometimes still dig by hand, but the trained observers controlling the aircraft know the difference between a hole a couple of feet deep and one that is deeper to access utilities.

[Skooz]

Letting them waste their last moments on earth digging a hole is a nice touch.

LOL! Well said. I agree.

[truemiester]

The don't have 1000 pilots in a hanger, just one.

But he's GOOOOOD!

[YaYa123]

I wanna see the instant replay.....over and over...in slow mo