Quick Reaction Capability 1 Soldiers to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

By Stephanie LawrenceSeptember 9, 2009

Sixteen Soldiers from Company E., Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion became the first Extended Range Multi-Purpose unit to train for deployment as part of UAS in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Quick Reaction Capability 1 training is the first of its kind. It was not scheduled to begin earlier than 2011, however Secretary of Defense Robert Gates saw an increasing need to further use manned and unmanned systems to increase support for Soldiers deployed to OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom. Under the direction of Gates the QRC1 training timeline was advanced, with the first company to be fielded by fall 2009. According to Capt. Travis Blaschke, commander, Company E., UASTB the Army was able to develop a plan that fielded, trained and deployed a small company with the required capabilities by mid July 2009. That company is the QRC1, which is commanded by Blaschke himself. "The company was expected to field, train and deploy in order to support full spectrum combat operations within eight months," Blaschke said. He added that the QRC1 began their training in Dec. 2008 in El Mirage, Calif. at a General Atomics facility, and although all technical manual references and training curriculum were still in draft form, the Soldiers were able to complete all qualifications, readiness level and delta training on time and to standard. Staff Sgt. Heath Vining is one of the Soldiers who will deploy as part of the QRC1, with this being his second deployment to Iraq. He said, "This training prepared us to safely launch, fly these aircraft and recover them. Once we had all of that down as a baseline, we worked on some of the tactics and techniques of how we are going to communicate effectively with the people we are trying to support." "The tactics for unmanned aircraft are developing more and more," he added. In a farewell ceremony and breakfast held for the Soldiers of QRC1 in Hangar 1 at Libby Army Airfield on July 2, Lt. Col. Pat Sullivan gave opening remarks. "I wish them Godspeed and a great year ahead. This is the first unit of graduating students trained in the new aircraft system. It has the capability to save many lives." Blaschke spoke directly to the Families of the deploying Soldiers. He said, "We do this because I believe the vast majority of Soldiers that decide to wear the green feel they have a calling, and their calling is to protect and serve those who they love." Being of Irish descent, he gave an Irish blessing to the QRC1 Soldiers. "These guys were hand-selected for this unit because we are so high profile," said Sullivan. "We are part of the first Extended Range Multi-Purpose medium altitude endurance aircraft that the Army will put into production. Being part of that is an incredible honor. There are very few times in a person's life that you're able to say you are the first one to do something," he said. For the next year, the QRC1 will be deployed in support of OIF. According to Blaschke, two additional QRC Companies will be training for deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. He has expectations the QRC1 will be able to positively influence the training, operations and combat mission execution of future QRC units, and also shape the future of modern Army warfare. Approximately 75 guests and Soldiers in attendance watched an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle launch as part of the farewell ceremony.