UAV Operators Play An Important Role In COB Delta Defense

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, remained vigilant as they continued to provide perimeter defense from an observation point on Contingency Operating Base Delta, Iraq Oct. 18, 2011. With the use of various tactical military vehicles, and with over watch provided by a small unmanned aerial vehicle, ‘Saber’ Soldiers gathered surveillance and intelligence from around the perimeter and surrounding areas of COB Delta.

“The (UAV) gives company sized elements the opportunity to collect our own intelligence and plan our own surveillance and reconnaissance,” said 1st Lt. Lorenzo Suarez, Headquarters Platoon Leader, A Troop, and a native of Alpharetta, Ga. “We are smarter and faster because we don’t have to wait for higher headquarters to approve surveillance assets.”

Spc. James Martin, a cavalry scout with A Troop, and a Cleveland, Texas native held the remote that controls the UAV while Sgt. Luke Cowart, a military police officer from the 239th Military Police Company attached to Apache Troop, and a Baton Rouge, La. native, conducted pre-flight checks on each of the UAV’s functions. After the pre-flight checks were executed, they were ready to launch.

The UAV requires two people to launch. Martin started the propeller and held on to the remote while Cowart leaned back and threw the UAV into the air.

“When we fly the (UAV), we have the opportunity to contribute to the protection of our whole squadron. We use it to investigate the latest threats and threat areas,” said Sgt. Jordan Hamilton, a Cavalry Scout with A Troop and a Freemont, Ohio native.
Hamilton has logged over 80 hours of flight time, and the ‘Saber’ Sqdn., operators as a team have logged over 140 hours of flight time in theater, more than any other team in the GREYWOLF Brigade.

“We can use (UAVs) more as we re-posture our forces because they allow us to project U.S. presence without endangering Soldier’s lives.” said Lt. Col. Cameron Cantlon, ‘Saber’ Sqdn., commander and a native of Ettrick, Wis.