Oregon National Guard soldiers are scheduled to start the first unmanned training flights for a National Guard unit in U.S. airspace.
The RQ-7 Shadow will take off from the Army Aviation Support Facility outside of Pendleton. The Oregon National Guard says Pendleton’s climate and topography make it well-suited for flying unmanned aircraft. Lt. Col. Alan R. Gronewold said the Oregon National Guard will conduct the flight safely and responsibly.
“The Oregon Army National Guard defends the constitution of the United States and the Constitutional rights of its citizens. We do not conduct surveillance on U.S. citizens,” Gronewold said in a news release.
The Federal Aviation Administration approved the flights near Pendleton. The aircraft will not fly over the city, according to Staff Sgt. Pat Caldwell.
The National Guard says that UAS like the RQ-7 Shadow serve as the eyes and ears of commanders on the ground. The military touts the fact they can conduct surveillance without putting soldiers in harm’s way.
The first flight is expected to last approximately one hour, Caldwell said. The RQ-7 Shadow can fly for up to five hours.
The National Guard will continue to use the facility for flight training.
Photo: Sgt. Jason Van Mourik, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs
Source: KATU