- Task Force ODIN
Task Force ODIN, whose name is an acronym for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize, is a
United States Army aviationbattalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition (RSTA) operations to fight makers ofimprovised explosive device s inIraq .The unit was formed at
Fort Hood, Texas , and first deployed in October 2006. An Army article says the unit is meant to meet "the critical requirement to 'win back the roads' using Army Aviation assets to maintain a persistent stare over demonstrated at-risk areas for IEDs." A primary reason for the creation of the unit, according to army leaders, was because of inadequate or inaccurateclose air support provided by theUnited States Air Force . [Shanker, "At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit"]The unit includes the Army's only unit that flies the
Warrior-Alpha unmanned aerial vehicle , an extended-range multi-purpose hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors,synthetic aperture radar , laser rangefinder and designator. By September 2007, the Warrior-Alpha had flown more than 6,000 hours and had contributed to the killing of 3,000 insurgents in Iraq during the year ending in June 2008.cite web| url=http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=12463 | title=Task Force ODIN Using Innovative Technology to Support Ground Forces | accessdate=2008-01-21 ] [Shanker, "At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit"]As a result of ODIN's success in Iraq, a similar unit will be formed in Afghanistan. [Roosevelt, Ann, " [http://defensedaily.com/publications/dd/3503.html The Need For Combat Aviation Continues, Increases, General Says] ", "
Defense Daily ", August 1, 2008.]Notes
References
*cite web
last = Shanker
first = Thom
year =June 22 ,2008
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22military.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
title = At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit
work =New York Times
accessdate = 2008-06-23
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