Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • FEST-M Engineers Lock Onto Targets During UAV Tour

    Uploaded by

    579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)
    39 views2 pages
    FEST-M engineers lock onto targets during UAV tour by Mark Abueg KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 18, 2010) – There were no trains and there were no automobiles anywhere in sight. But a group of Army engineers stationed in Afghanistan got up close and personal with plenty of planes during a recent Air Force tour. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) were on cloud nine yesterday as they visited the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron facilities here to learn about the many types of aircraft used within the airspace of Afghanistan. Among the planes they toured were two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. Roman Bieniek, FEST-M mechanical engineer, seemed very impressed by the drones as he studied over the machinery during the walkthrough. “It’s kind of overwhelming,” he said. “The technology is amazing and it only seems to be getting better.” One of the unique capabilities of the UAV is that it can be up in the sky in Afghanistan while piloted from anywhere around the world whether it’s in the United States or somewhere else overseas. “This technology really is a great way to keep our pilots safe there while protecting our people safe here,” Bieniek continued. The highlight of the day was the A-10C Thunderbolt II as everyone got the chance to sit in the cockpit of the jet, which provides close-air support capabilities. The engineers received first-hand instruction on the many components of the jet’s instrument panel, but it was more about just being able to experience being inside of the A-10. “Look at it,” said Purvis Eldridge, FEST-M civil engineer. “It’s awesome. I’ve never been in one. I’ll never get this chance again probably. The warfighters are taking the fight to the air. The different ways they use manned and unmanned planes is pretty amazing.” Being on Kandahar Airfield allows the engineers to see aircraft come and go each day and night, so the chance to get hands-on with them was an unforgettable experience. “I’ve been seeing them from afar every night since I’ve been here, so to actually come out here and see them is awesome,” said Sam Stacy, FEST-M public works engineer. When asked how it compares to his own job. “My job is exciting and I love what I do,” Stacy said. “But I would love to do this too.”

    Original Title

    FEST-M engineers lock onto targets during UAV tour

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    FEST-M engineers lock onto targets during UAV tour by Mark Abueg KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 18, 2010) – There were no trains and there were no automobiles anywhere in sight. But a group of Army engineers stationed in Afghanistan got up close and personal with plenty of planes during a recent Air Force tour. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) were on cloud nine yesterday as they visited the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron facilities here to learn about the many types of aircraft used within the airspace of Afghanistan. Among the planes they toured were two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. Roman Bieniek, FEST-M mechanical engineer, seemed very impressed by the drones as he studied over the machinery during the walkthrough. “It’s kind of overwhelming,” he said. “The technology is amazing and it only seems to be getting better.” One of the unique capabilities of the UAV is that it can be up in the sky in Afghanistan while piloted from anywhere around the world whether it’s in the United States or somewhere else overseas. “This technology really is a great way to keep our pilots safe there while protecting our people safe here,” Bieniek continued. The highlight of the day was the A-10C Thunderbolt II as everyone got the chance to sit in the cockpit of the jet, which provides close-air support capabilities. The engineers received first-hand instruction on the many components of the jet’s instrument panel, but it was more about just being able to experience being inside of the A-10. “Look at it,” said Purvis Eldridge, FEST-M civil engineer. “It’s awesome. I’ve never been in one. I’ll never get this chance again probably. The warfighters are taking the fight to the air. The different ways they use manned and unmanned planes is pretty amazing.” Being on Kandahar Airfield allows the engineers to see aircraft come and go each day and night, so the chance to get hands-on with them was an unforgettable experience. “I’ve been seeing them from afar every night since I’ve been here, so to actually come out here and see them is awesome,” said Sam Stacy, FEST-M public works engineer. When asked how it compares to his own job. “My job is exciting and I love what I do,” Stacy said. “But I would love to do this too.”

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    39 views2 pages

    FEST-M Engineers Lock Onto Targets During UAV Tour

    Uploaded by

    579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)
    FEST-M engineers lock onto targets during UAV tour by Mark Abueg KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 18, 2010) – There were no trains and there were no automobiles anywhere in sight. But a group of Army engineers stationed in Afghanistan got up close and personal with plenty of planes during a recent Air Force tour. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) were on cloud nine yesterday as they visited the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron facilities here to learn about the many types of aircraft used within the airspace of Afghanistan. Among the planes they toured were two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. Roman Bieniek, FEST-M mechanical engineer, seemed very impressed by the drones as he studied over the machinery during the walkthrough. “It’s kind of overwhelming,” he said. “The technology is amazing and it only seems to be getting better.” One of the unique capabilities of the UAV is that it can be up in the sky in Afghanistan while piloted from anywhere around the world whether it’s in the United States or somewhere else overseas. “This technology really is a great way to keep our pilots safe there while protecting our people safe here,” Bieniek continued. The highlight of the day was the A-10C Thunderbolt II as everyone got the chance to sit in the cockpit of the jet, which provides close-air support capabilities. The engineers received first-hand instruction on the many components of the jet’s instrument panel, but it was more about just being able to experience being inside of the A-10. “Look at it,” said Purvis Eldridge, FEST-M civil engineer. “It’s awesome. I’ve never been in one. I’ll never get this chance again probably. The warfighters are taking the fight to the air. The different ways they use manned and unmanned planes is pretty amazing.” Being on Kandahar Airfield allows the engineers to see aircraft come and go each day and night, so the chance to get hands-on with them was an unforgettable experience. “I’ve been seeing them from afar every night since I’ve been here, so to actually come out here and see them is awesome,” said Sam Stacy, FEST-M public works engineer. When asked how it compares to his own job. “My job is exciting and I love what I do,” Stacy said. “But I would love to do this too.”

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 2

    HEADLINE NEWS

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building Strong ®


    579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) Global Support

    FEST-M engineers lock onto targets during UAV tour


    by Mark Abueg
    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 18, 2010) – There were
    no trains and there were no automobiles anywhere in sight. But a
    group of Army engineers stationed in Afghanistan got up close and
    personal with plenty of planes during a recent Air Force tour.

    Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer


    Support Team - Main) were on cloud nine yesterday as they visited
    the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron facilities here to
    learn about the many types of aircraft used within the airspace of
    Afghanistan.

    Among the planes they toured were two unmanned aerial vehicles
    (UAVs), including the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. Mike Quinn, electrical engineer with the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M),
    looks over an MQ-1 Predator during a tour of the 62nd Expeditionary
    Reconnaissance Squadron compound on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Quinn,
    Roman Bieniek, FEST-M mechanical engineer, seemed very and other FEST-M members, also had the opportunity to view the MQ-9 Reaper
    and the A-10C Thunderbolt II. (Photo by Mark Abueg)
    impressed by the drones as he studied over the machinery during
    the walkthrough.

    “It’s kind of overwhelming,” he said. “The technology is amazing and it only seems to be getting better.”

    One of the unique capabilities of the UAV is that it can be up in the sky in Afghanistan while piloted from anywhere
    around the world whether it’s in the United States or somewhere else overseas.

    “This technology really is a great way to keep our pilots safe there while protecting our people safe here,” Bieniek
    continued.

    The highlight of the day was the A-10C Thunderbolt II as everyone got the chance to sit in the cockpit of the jet,
    which provides close-air support capabilities. The engineers received first-hand instruction on the many components
    of the jet’s instrument panel, but it was more about just being able to experience being inside of the A-10.

    “Look at it,” said Purvis Eldridge, FEST-M civil engineer. “It’s awesome. I’ve never been in one. I’ll never get this
    chance again probably. The warfighters are taking the fight to the air. The different ways they use manned and
    unmanned planes is pretty amazing.”

    Being on Kandahar Airfield allows the engineers to see aircraft come and go each day and night, so the chance to
    get hands-on with them was an unforgettable experience.

    “I’ve been seeing them from afar every night since I’ve been here, so to actually come out here and see them is
    awesome,” said Sam Stacy, FEST-M public works engineer.

    When asked how it compares to his own job.

    “My job is exciting and I love what I do,” Stacy said. “But I would love to do this too.”

    U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)


    Camp Phoenix and Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
    E-mail: 579festmpao@usace.army.mil
    www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm
    U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)
    Camp Phoenix and Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
    E-mail: 579festmpao@usace.army.mil
    www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm

    You might also like