N.Y. Times Shocker: U.S. Army Flies UAVs

[darrels joy]

N.Y. Times Shocker: U.S. Army Flies UAVs

(Click pic to enlarge)
A Warrior Alpha unmanned aerial platform with Task Force ODIN at Contingency Operating Base Speicher used by 25th Combat Aviation Brigade to provide long-endurance tactical reconnaissance for coalition forces in support of all Multi National Divisions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs) (from NewsBlaze)

The New York Times stunned the worlds of military aviation and Washington yesterday. Its scoop? That the U.S. Army, frustrated with lack of unmanned aircraft combat support from the U.S. Air Force, has launched its own air surveillance unit in Iraq. The revelation of Task Force Odin (for observe, detect, identify and neutralize) was a surprise--at least to those in military aviation and Washington who don't read Rotor & Wing.

At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit
(The New York Times-June 22, 2008)
Link to article
http://bennauro.blogspot.com/2008/06...lies-uavs.html

[SuperScout]

Just to show you how totally irrelevant the New Yawk Times really is, our son #2 was a platoon leader for a UAV unit in a military intelligence battalion during his first tour in Iraq. His first tour ended over 2 years ago; he has completed his second tour, and is currently at the MI Officers Advanced Course.

The effectiveness of these UAV's is now legend with ground unit commanders. They have saved countless lives, being able to provide real-time intel to the door-kickers, to see potential or possible IED's before convoy approaches, and other maneuver benefits. The Army should buy more!

[darrels joy]

SS,
If I sugggested to the military community here (Nellis AFB-Creech AFB) that the Army was effectively procuring and using their own UAVs , the howls could be heard in Texas.
Joy

[SuperScout]

Then tell those whiners to get a real life! The Zoomies seem to forget that one of their missions is to support the grunts on the ground, not only with logistical stuff, but frequently with bullets and other stuff that goes BANG! That's why we loved the Warthog so much - is was able to get up close and personal with the ragheads, applying much needed steel on target.

Granted, the Zoomies have their own drones, but like everything that flies, according to the USAF, it has to be armed with some form of firepower. Their UAV's are too heavy, too vulnerable, and are not yet directly linked with the directors of the boots on the ground guys.

[darrels joy]

But they get upset when they are not considered (by some) as Warriors so of course they must arm all the aircraft that they use.