bobdina
07-14-2009, 10:24 AM
More spy planes give U.S. ‘edge’ in Afghan mission
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA TODAY
Posted : Tuesday Jul 14, 2009 6:46:33 EDT
U.S. forces in Afghanistan are relying more than ever on surveillance aircraft as they seek out insurgents, from cutting-edge drone technology to the venerable U-2 spy plane, according to interviews and information released at USA Today’s request.
These aircraft, military officials said, are being used heavily during Operation Khanjar (or “Strike of the Sword”), the Marine-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.
The military’s need to identify insurgents and reduce civilian casualties is driving its increased reliance on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has pressed for more flights by manned spy planes and unmanned drones, with live video feeds, so servicemembers can better see and identify their opponents.
“If I have persistent ISR which can stare for a significant period of time at a specific area and watch patterns of life, movement and those kinds of things, I’m going to have a much better intel in terms of my combat action,” Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a recent interview.
Airborne intelligence “gives us an edge in being able to monitor activities,” said Col. George Amland, deputy commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, now fighting in Helmand.
Air Force Col. Daniel Johnson, commander of the 480th ISR Wing, said aircraft in Helmand send information to ground troops via electronic messaging and voice communication.
Military missions now use more planes and a wider variety of them than two years ago. Spy plane sorties in Afghanistan and Iraq are on pace to set a record this year, Air Force data show. Through June, 8,400 such missions had been flown. As recently as 2006, there were almost 7,500 such flights for the entire year.
Johnson said Air Force missions track insurgents with Reaper and Predator drones, intercepting communications with venerable U-2 spy planes and following insurgents with E-8C JSTARS and RC-135 aircraft.
“ISR has never been more important than it is today — and that importance will only increase for the foreseeable future,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The additional Air Force spy planes have helped in Afghanistan but only as an ingredient to the new strategy that includes more U.S. troops, better Afghan security forces and improved local government, said John Nagl, president of the Center for a New American Security.
Mullen agrees. Spy aircraft, while “incredibly important,” are not a panacea, he said.
He pointed to an airstrike in western Afghanistan on May 4 that U.S. investigators say killed as many as 30 civilians.
Although troops had a “great view” of the battle, they had problems with training and equipment that led them to bomb a building filled with civilians, Mullen said.
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA TODAY
Posted : Tuesday Jul 14, 2009 6:46:33 EDT
U.S. forces in Afghanistan are relying more than ever on surveillance aircraft as they seek out insurgents, from cutting-edge drone technology to the venerable U-2 spy plane, according to interviews and information released at USA Today’s request.
These aircraft, military officials said, are being used heavily during Operation Khanjar (or “Strike of the Sword”), the Marine-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.
The military’s need to identify insurgents and reduce civilian casualties is driving its increased reliance on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has pressed for more flights by manned spy planes and unmanned drones, with live video feeds, so servicemembers can better see and identify their opponents.
“If I have persistent ISR which can stare for a significant period of time at a specific area and watch patterns of life, movement and those kinds of things, I’m going to have a much better intel in terms of my combat action,” Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a recent interview.
Airborne intelligence “gives us an edge in being able to monitor activities,” said Col. George Amland, deputy commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, now fighting in Helmand.
Air Force Col. Daniel Johnson, commander of the 480th ISR Wing, said aircraft in Helmand send information to ground troops via electronic messaging and voice communication.
Military missions now use more planes and a wider variety of them than two years ago. Spy plane sorties in Afghanistan and Iraq are on pace to set a record this year, Air Force data show. Through June, 8,400 such missions had been flown. As recently as 2006, there were almost 7,500 such flights for the entire year.
Johnson said Air Force missions track insurgents with Reaper and Predator drones, intercepting communications with venerable U-2 spy planes and following insurgents with E-8C JSTARS and RC-135 aircraft.
“ISR has never been more important than it is today — and that importance will only increase for the foreseeable future,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The additional Air Force spy planes have helped in Afghanistan but only as an ingredient to the new strategy that includes more U.S. troops, better Afghan security forces and improved local government, said John Nagl, president of the Center for a New American Security.
Mullen agrees. Spy aircraft, while “incredibly important,” are not a panacea, he said.
He pointed to an airstrike in western Afghanistan on May 4 that U.S. investigators say killed as many as 30 civilians.
Although troops had a “great view” of the battle, they had problems with training and equipment that led them to bomb a building filled with civilians, Mullen said.