MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines with 2nd Marine Division spent the day “catching and releasing” two Raven small unmanned aircraft systems as part of a Division Fly Day at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 27, 2017.
The Marines were showing the capabilities and building familiarization with the Raven, a small unmanned aircraft system. The training included flying the craft while also teaching troubleshooting techniques for various malfunctions in the SUAS.
Marines certified to fly the Raven SUAS are required to qualify 12 times per year, ensuring their proficiency with the craft.
“We can use it for a number of things,” said 1st Lt. Christon Hill, the SUAS program manager for 2nd Marine Division. “Primarily it’s used for force protection, route reconnaissance, or just scouting in general.”
The Raven SUAS is a man-packable system, making the device a valuable expeditionary asset. Anyone certified to use the Raven SUAS can launch it from any location to collect information about their route, enemy locations and equipment, and possibly improvised explosive devices, said Hill.
“I think that having this capability is important, especially at the organic level in infantry battalions because collection assets are limited there,” said Sgt. Kyle Phillips, an intelligence specialist with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.
Resources like the Raven are an asset to our nation’s armed forces and help to ensure that 2nd Marine Division is always one step ahead in mission readiness.