Marine convoy commander says unmanned aerial vehicles saved his life in Afghanistan

Story by Cpl. Justin Boling CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marine Unmanned Aerial Squadron 3’s Shadows operate out of multiple sites in Helmand province, allowing the drones to surveil virtually every corner of the southwestern region under NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. “Mission after mission we were exposed to a barrage of small arms fire, medium machine gun, heavy machine gun and sniper fire in addition to [roadside bombs]and [rocket and mortar attacks],” wrote 1st Lt. Marcos Garcia in a letter to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3. “We were forced to take similar routes due to their trafficability and the enemy exploited this.” Garcia served as a convoy commander with 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Helmand province, Afghanistan for seven months. According to his letter, his convoy suffered eight IED strikes, three artillery and rocket attacks, 10 small-arms-fire engagements and three complex ambushes while moving fuel trucks throughout southwestern Afghanistan. That was until Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 got involved, using their RQ-7B Shadow drones to provide invaluable aerial surveillance and reconnaissance for Garcia and his Marines. “The turn in events truly took place as soon as the Shadow supported our convoys,” wrote Garcia. “The Shadow is a remarkable asset […]
Marine convoy commander says unmanned aerial vehicles saved his life in Afghanistan