The engine on an unmanned aerial vehicle is started by Spc. Shaun Fennessy, power-generation equipment repairer, and Spc. Creighton Brahm, military intelligence systems maintainer/integrator, April 26 at Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq. The two Soldiers are members of the UAV platoon, A Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — Soldiers from the unmanned aerial vehicle platoon, A Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division constantly have their eyes on the battlefield.

“We have logged over 400 missions with a total of 2,000 plus hours,” said Spc. Jacob Vaughn, tactical UAV operator. “Our mission is a vital one. There have been numerous times we have saved lives. We are like a scout or sniper team. We play hide and seek with the enemy, but they don’t know we’re looking for them. They have no idea we’re there.”

There are many units that benefit from the assets that the UAV platoon provides.

“While forward observers can relay information via the radio, we provide visual information,” said Vaughn. “With us, you get to see what is happening on the big screen and every battalion [tactical operations center] has one.”

A lot of units take the UAV support they receive very seriously.

“There are some units that go out without us because they have to,” said Vaughn. “But there are a lot of units that won’t go out unless they know that the UAV is out there with them.”

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