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Spartans provide watchful eye in southern Iraq


CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has been used for reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering by the Department of Defense since 1950.

Today, the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Platoon is using the high-flying, remotely- piloted aircraft to provide real-time imagery along the southeastern border of Iraq.    

The UAS troops were initially stationed here at COB Adder when the brigade took responsibility for southern Iraq’s tri-province areas of Dhi-qar, Muthana, and Maysan in late June of 2008.  As the brigade began to expand operations, the Spartan Soldiers deployed to Forward Operating Bases Garry Owen and Hunter to use their extensive ‘eye in the sky’ visuals to monitor the brigade’s ground troops and provide increased force protection capabilities.

The platoon initially moved a section of troops to FOB Garry Owen in September to support the 2nd Bn, 7th Cav. Regt. Soldiers with long- range UAV coverage in the city of Al Amarah.

In early October, the 21-man platoon was on the move again to FOB Hunter in southern Maysan Province. The 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. Soldiers worked closely with the UAS platoon, while the Soldiers provided aerial coverage for the entire Maysan province.

“Our Soldiers were up to the task,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Norton, the 4th STB, 4BCT, 1st. Cav. Div. Commander.   “They realized how important their role was, so relocating wasn’t an issue at all.”    

The 1-9 Cav. Regt. accomodated the UAS platoon by requesting all the necessary equipment and supplies to turn a barren patch of dirt into a functioning launch-and-recovery UAS site.

 “There was a lot of cooperation with 1-9, running through courses of action to find possible solutions,” said Chief Warrant Officer Two Adam Morton, of Brownsville, Texas.

The challenges of this deployment have strengthened, honed and refined the skills of this group of Spartans as they provide crucial aerial intelligence for their brigade.


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Support Your Soldiers

Welcome to our Captain John, We are waiting for your long anticipated arrival and pray for a safe trip. Bless you and we pray for you and your colleagues safety. Thank you all for your hard and unselfish ewrk. All Our Love, Mom, Dad & Brother WUSS



Beatty Family, Saranac Lake, NY

Sgt. Matthew Salazar, Happy (a little late) Valentine's Day. We've now been through a New Year's and Valentine's together. LOL. Stay in one piece soldier!



Lisa, Henderson, Nevada

SGT Leone, Hope life is treating you well. When you get home I hope they give you the job you deserve and not what they want. We need good soldiers with a heart to stay in. 15 years of experience is a asset for them and the young Men coming in.Hang tough!



Friend, Black River, NY

Corey: Hope you are well and can't wait til you come home. Until then, be safe and Godspeed! Love~ Dad,Sharon,Pork,Chadd and Luke.



COREY SOBER, Catawissa, PA USA

Our son Tim Harbaugh in Iraq. We miss you and are so proud of you and all the other Soloiers Love Mom



sherry Orr, girard pa

To Nio Fajardo I hope everything is ok at your end. I miss you and hope to talk to you soon Love b



Net MJ, Rizal, Philippines

To Sasha Genao, Girl we MISSSSS you but you know I am as proud as ever of what you're doing over there. Hang in there sweetheart and you'll be home soon. The first things we're doing when you get back? Dinner at Cheescake Factory, with a few martinis, and then shoe shopping!!! =] Love you sweetie. Brit



Brittany Bauhs, Tampa, Fl

Hello! I think you all are wonderful to be doing so much for our country - :>) -- I respect and honor all of you - thank you. DO ANY OF YOU WISH TO GET MAIL (this is addressed to those who perhaps do not receive much snail mail)? I WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT YOU IN THIS WAY! I also would send you small packages. There is so much support of you all by large non-profits that I thought personal contact would be nice.



Christine Smythe, Arlington, VA USA

Spc. Locaspino Hey Sideal hope your doing great i miss you and take care of yourself. Can't wait to see you be careful! I'm proud of you!



LaDawn, Gilbert, Arizona

TO CODY NIX,GOOD LUCK AND GODS SPEED .BE SAFE AND HURRY HOME .WE WILL SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET HOME. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY PRAYERS.LOVE YOU BUD!



JAMES MINTER, CAVESPRING,GA.30124