Former Soviet air base used for Shadow UAV training

By Sgt. 1st Class Jim Downen and Lt. Col. John HallMay 30, 2014

Shadow UAV with bunkers in background
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Shadow UAC from the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance platoon, B Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 37th Brigade Combat Team prepare an RQ-7B aircraft for launching at a former Soviet Air Force airfield in Vainode, Latvia on May 28, 2014.
The UA... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Map rehearsal
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Class photo with Michigan National Guard Shadow UAV
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Teachers and students from the Vainode secondary school visit Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance platoon, B Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 37th Brigade Combat Team at a former Soviet Air Force airf... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Preparing the launcher
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Latvian school children select MREs for lunch
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students from the Vainode secondary school display the MREs they have selected for their lunch as they visit Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance platoon, B Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 37th Brigad... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chief Sims talks with Latvian school children
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Warming their hands on MREs
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PMCS done the right way
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Vainode, Latvia -- A former Soviet air base was used by a detachment of Michigan Army National Guard from the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance platoon as a base of operations in the southwestern part of Latvia on May 27, 2014.

The Michigan Soldiers conducted a convoy with Latvian military police escort from Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia to the former Soviet Air Force base at Vainode, Latvia on May 27, 2014 to fly surveillance missions in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Forces participating in exercise "Flaming Sword" on May 28, 2014.

The UAS platoon was able to break down their equipment in Lielvarde, convoy 233 km, establish their new base, assemble the aircraft and have a Shadow in the air for surveillance in two days.

Spc. Drew Wagner said, " Our convoy was escorted by Latvian MPs, their conduct was professional, they spoke excellent English and they knew the route. Despite the long and winding back country roads, we made it to Vainode without any delays."

Drew said, "This is the first time I've been out of the United States and my first aircraft launch since completing 15 E aircraft maintainer advanced individual training. I'm glad our launch went off without a hitch."

The airbase at Vainode dates back to World War I when it was established as a German Airship base with two Zeppelin hangars. Following the war these buildings were moved to Riga to become the Riga Central Market which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. During World War II and beyond, the site was again used as an airbase with the Soviet Union flying SU-15, Su-27 and MiG-23 aircraft from the base until their military withdrew in 1991.

"Flying our aircraft from a former Soviet base and getting to stay in MiG bunkers is exciting. Taking a few free minutes to explore the grounds is an interesting journey through history," said Spc. Zachary Plotzke.

The Michigan Shadow platoon used two of the abandoned MiG bunkers as a shelter during their stay and a third as a place to roast locally purchased sausages on a campfire.

There was much interest from the local community in the American Soldiers and their aircraft. Coordination was made to receive visitors from the local community school. Vainode Secondary School, with classes from 5th -- 12th grades and their teachers were given a tour of the equipment used by the UAS platoon and took photos with the Soldiers, posing with an RQ-7B aircraft.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Martinez said, "We enjoyed meeting with the Latvian kids. We got to bridge some cultural gaps and show them we're just ordinary people like them. We are the first Americans they've met and they enjoyed seeing our equipment and how we do our job here. We had one girl ask if she could join the unit!"

After the students and teachers departed, the detachment conducted a shift change and some Soldiers had an impromptu hotdog roast and social time before ending the day. The unit began preparing for a return to Lielvarde, where they would ready themselves for the final exercise of their Latvian tour, Saber Strike.