EE&CS and Operation Rising Storm

Summer training for New Cadets of the Class of 2011

August 2007

Forces deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq have learned that small tactical robots can precede troops in reconnaissance of areas where ambushes, IEDs, booby traps, and other enemy hazards are lurking.  As a result, thousands of small robots are operating in these theaters today. 

EE&CS honored the request of DMI Head COL Pete Curry to incorporate tactical robots in the Urban Operations phase of Operation Rising Storm, which D/EE&CS planned and executed for the first time this year.  Shown here are some images of New Cadets and cadre training and interacting with robot soldier buddies.

Exercise scenarios included advancing with a patrol to disable a potential IED, pulling a wounded soldier on a litter while subject to hostile fire, initial entry to clear a building, and delivering a soda to a thirsty cadet.

In all cases, the robots were operated wirelessly from a safe locations, with the "robot's-eye view" delivered to the operator as a video image.

The robots themselves are combat veterans, salvaged by kind permission of the Joint Robotics Repair Facility and refurbished by expert EE&CS technicians Frank Blackmon, Bob McKay, and Tim Spreer.