AL ASASD, Iraq -- For more than 50 years, officers have patrolled the sky and led engagement efforts for our United States Army aviation missions. But with recent updates in technology some enlisted Soldiers are now supporting those officers and leading their unit's aviation missions in a different way.
Within the U.S. Army, enlisted Soldiers are piloting unmanned aerial systems (UAS), specifically the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
U.S. Army Spc. Michael Scharp, a UAS operator with 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, said the U.S. Army is the only branch that has enlisted UAS operators.
"We are primarily a ground force," Scharp said, as he reflected on the storied impact of infantrymen and tankers.
Scharp said the increase in the need for the Army's unmanned aerial missions is facilitated by the large number of enlisted personnel willing to fly.
"We are unlike the U.S. Air Force, where they can use small teams of officers that are former pilots to man the UASs," Scharp said.
U.S. Army Capt. Joshua Heiner, commander, Company D, 10th Avn. Regt., 10th Mtn. Div., flew OH-58 Kiowa helicopters before assuming command of the "Gray Eagle Company."
He said it was a change of pace for him to sit back and lead an aviation team from the ground instead of flying, but he described his unit as being dedicated, consistent and enthusiastic.
U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Sellers, UAS operator, 10th Avn. Regt., 10th Mtn. Div., said regardless of their rank, the operators are effective and have high success bookended by the high quantity of missions.
"We are getting great experience because of the demand," Sellers said.
Scharp said that demand calls for a team of enlisted personnel to be ready at a moment's notice to fly, supervise or perform maintenance to the UAS.
The unit is deployed to provide dedicated and consistent support to Combined Joint Task Force -- Operation Inherent Resolve to enable the Government of Iraq defeat ISIS. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
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