Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

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Cherry Point, North Carolina

MWSS-271 Marines complete UAV course

By Pfc. Unique B. Roberts | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point | August 08, 2013

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Lance Cpl. Justice C. Thomas, an intelligence analyst with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and a native of Independence, Mo., reassembles the RQ-11B Raven after disassembling during its landing at Landing Zone Woodpecker Aug. 2. Reassembling the aircraft allows the Marines to sharpen their skills through valuable hands-on training time (Photo by Pfc. Unique B. Roberts)

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Lance Cpl. Justice C. Thomas, an intelligence analyst with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, looks into a controller hood, allowing him to view the screen located on the controller of the Unmanned Aircraft System as he holds it during the Raven Operators Course at Landing Zone Woodpecker Aug 2. (Photo by Pfc. Unique B. Roberts)

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The RQ-11B DDL (Raven), is an unmanned air vehicle that Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 used during the Raven Operator Course July 22-Aug 2. The Raven is built to assist Marines while on a deployed status. The Raven is used for all types of mission: reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, not only that but it provides a efficient way to ensure convoy security and it allows the HUB operator to assess Battle Damage and it allows for force protection. (Photo by Pfc. Unique B. Roberts)

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Andrew F. Archetti, a SUAS training Instructor with PMA -263 Training and Logistics Support Activity, is attempting to throw the RQ-11B DDL, August 2, at Landing Zone Woodpecker. After learning the basics, instructors obtain the certification in the immediate course to be proficient in their occupation. The more knowledgeable the instructors are the better it is for them to teach our service members how to operate and successfully use the Unmanned Air Vehicle. (Photo by Pfc. Unique B. Roberts)

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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --

Four Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 completed the Raven Operators Course at Camp Lejeune Friday.

During the two-week course, Marines earned certifications to operate RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicles. The Raven is a small hand-launched remote-controlled UAV. It provides day and night real-time video imagery for “over the hill” or “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

“This course provides us with the necessary training for operating the UAV,” said Christopher D. Cienkowski, a fire safety noncommissioned officer and fire team leader with MWSS-271. “If we send a convoy unit off to do field work, we can send a Raven to fly down the road to identify (threats).”

In a combat situation the Raven decreases the probability of risk for the Marines, said Jerome Adams, a small unmanned aircraft system instructor with Training and Logistics Support Activity, a subsidiary of the Naval Air Command’s office for Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

During the course, the Marines learn the characteristics of the Raven, the different missions it is used for, its ground control station capabilities and its limitations. They were expected to learn continuously and successfully demonstrate everything they learned during the final training event. Adams said they accomplished all tasks admirably.

Cienkowski said the instructors passed his test as well.

“The instructors are people I can definitely fall back on and depend on,” he said. “They are reliable and knowledgeable; they’ve helped all of us here.”