Apache battalion transitions to more powerful drones

Transcription

1 12A January 15, 2015 FORT BLISS BUGLE Apache battalion transitions to more powerful drones Photos by Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis / CAB, 1st AD Public Affairs Sgt. Phillip A. Roach, an unmanned aircraft systems operator for Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, inspects one of the new UAS launching platforms before receiving it Thursday at the 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, hangar. The generator is part of equipment that will be used to operate 1st Bn. s new Shadow Version 2 drones. By Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis CAB, 1st AD Public Affairs A little more than a month after putting newly acquired Shadow reconnaissance drones to the test at the National Training Center, a 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade attack-helicopter battalion is upgrading to an even more powerful version of the unmanned aircraft system. The Dragons of 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, began upgrading to the second version of the RQ-7 Shadow drone last week as part of its ongoing conversion into a heavy attack reconnaissance squadron. The Dragons, which will reflag to the 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, under the CAB in March as the Army s first H-ARS, are adding 12 of the Version 2 Shadows to replace three RQ-7BV1 models they started training with last May. Third Squadron, 6th Cavalry, has been a tremendous part of Army aviation history, said 1st Bn. Commander Lt. Col. RJ Garcia. They were the first squadron to ever field AH-64A Apache helicopters in 1986, and now will be the first to field and integrate the V2 Shadow UAS. Much like the AH- 64A Apache in 1986, the V2 Shadows and AH-64D Apache helicopters integrated and working together represents cutting-edge technology and the best our Army has to offer. Training for the latest Shadows will run through the middle of April as the battalion continues to develop its Gray Eagle company. It s like a whole 180(-degree change) from where it was before, said Sgt. Phillip A. Roach of the difference in technology between the two versions of the Shadow. Roach, an unmanned aircraft systems operator for Company A, 1st Bn., said there are many improvements that the newer aircraft will bring to the Dragon Regiment. The V2 will be able to fly more than twice as long as the original model; with the increased flight time, the aircraft also gains an increased flight range, giving the Dragons AH-64 Apache helicopter pilots bigger eyes while performing in a reconnaissance role. The new aircraft also brings sharper eyes and ears, with improved video quality and communications equipment that allow more systems to pull information from the aircraft, said Roach. The biggest change is the encryption because in Afghanistan and Iraq the (opposing forces) were pulling our feed and watching what we were watching, said Staff Sgt. Mitchell R. Moore, an unmanned aircraft systems operator for Company B, 1st Bn., who has operated UAVs for seven years. They knew that we were watching a particular area and would avoid that area. Moore said the V2 improves that technology, better masking the Shadow s movements. Unmanned aerial systems have been instrumental to the Army s success over the last 13 years and are clearly part of our future Army, added Garcia. The V1 Shadow has a proven combat record, and what makes the V2 so impressive is it is the V1, but with lessons learned and applied. Consequently, with the V2s many upgrades, additional training for the operators Sgt. Johnathon T. Bonesteel, an unmanned aircraft systems operator for Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, inspects a new generator before receiving it Thursday at the 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, hangar. The generator is part of equipment that will be used to operate 1st Bn. s new Shadow Version 2 drones. at Fort Bliss will focus on the aircraft s improved control interface, communication relay package and refreshed learning on the Aviation Mission Planning System. Further, mechanics will have to train on the loading of the communications package and learn a new airfield setup for the equipment. The battalion s Apache pilots also will need to train on the new communications equipment.

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4 FORT BLISS BUGLE January 15, A To Laven Publishing Group: We have received excellent response to advertising our company, Keep Smilin Family Dental Clinic in the Fort Bliss Bugle. So good in fact, that we are renewing our contract. The Fort Bliss Bugle has been a great way for us to advertise our new office on the far east side of El Paso. Thank you, Fort Bliss, for your support. Ryan Garcia, DDS 2281 N. Zaragosa Suite 102 El Paso, TX

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9 20A January 15, 2015 FORT BLISS BUGLE