116th BSTB Shadow UAS detachment conducts first flight in Virginia
Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based Detachment 1, Company B, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct their first flight of the RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system in Virginia Oct. 4, 2014, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. Virginia Guard Airmen from the Camp Pendleton-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron reconstructed the runway at Fort A. P. Hill's Finnegan Airfield unmanned aircraft system training site in July 2014, and the improved runway allowed the Shadow crews to begin flight training in Virginia. Previously they conducted their flight training at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and having a runway closer to home station improves readiness and increases their ability to meet flight hour requirements. Col. William J. Coffin, commander of the 116th IBCT, observed the flight and recognized an outstanding Soldier from the detachment as well as Airmen from the 203rd on hand to watch the first flight. Detachment 1 is one of 27 National Guard Class II UAS programs that provide Army brigade commanders with tactical-level reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, battle damage assessment and communication relay capabilities. With the detachment’s three unmanned aerial vehicles, it can provide 24/7 coverage on the battlefield. About 38 Airmen from the 203rd took part in the runway reconstruction project that included removing the existing runway, leveling the grade of the runway to meet specifications, laying asphalt upon the completed runway subgrade and improving the drainage along the sides of the runway. The work included approximately 4,388 man-hours, the removal of 1,500 tons of existing asphalt, grading and placement of 2,500 tons of stone base course and installing 1,250 tons of pavement. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)
116th BSTB Shadow UAS detachment conducts first flight in Virginia
Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based Detachment 1, Company B, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct their first flight of the RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system in Virginia Oct. 4, 2014, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. Virginia Guard Airmen from the Camp Pendleton-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron reconstructed the runway at Fort A. P. Hill's Finnegan Airfield unmanned aircraft system training site in July 2014, and the improved runway allowed the Shadow crews to begin flight training in Virginia. Previously they conducted their flight training at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and having a runway closer to home station improves readiness and increases their ability to meet flight hour requirements. Col. William J. Coffin, commander of the 116th IBCT, observed the flight and recognized an outstanding Soldier from the detachment as well as Airmen from the 203rd on hand to watch the first flight. Detachment 1 is one of 27 National Guard Class II UAS programs that provide Army brigade commanders with tactical-level reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, battle damage assessment and communication relay capabilities. With the detachment’s three unmanned aerial vehicles, it can provide 24/7 coverage on the battlefield. About 38 Airmen from the 203rd took part in the runway reconstruction project that included removing the existing runway, leveling the grade of the runway to meet specifications, laying asphalt upon the completed runway subgrade and improving the drainage along the sides of the runway. The work included approximately 4,388 man-hours, the removal of 1,500 tons of existing asphalt, grading and placement of 2,500 tons of stone base course and installing 1,250 tons of pavement. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)