UAVs make a difference in Iraq

From American Forces Press Service

US AIR Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have flown both reconnaissance and offensive missions in support of coalition operations in Iraq.

The MQ-1 Predator is a lightweight, low-horsepower UAV controlled by a pilot and sensor operators from a terminal on the ground. It can stay in the air for hours at a time, virtually undetectable, recording video footage or providing fire support.

Squadron Commander of the US 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Major Michael Bruzzini, said Predator UAVs had been used to cover large areas around coalition bases.

“We saw mortars launched and took out the perpetrators with Hellfire missiles,” he said.

The UAVs have also supported raids by US troops, in which a number of anti-coalition leaders have been caught.

“The Predator had eyes on the whole time and was able to inform the soldiers of what was going on around them.”

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