Fourteen Soldiers from the 2-13th Aviation Regiment here deployed at 5 a.m. April 25 for Afghanistan.
The Soldiers make up Quick Reaction Capability 2, Replacement 2 and are expected to be deployed for one year. QRC2R2 consists of Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems pilots and support personnel.
Modern Army unmanned aircraft training began at Fort Huachuca Jan. 17, 1986, and has seen continuous growth ever since. For more than two decades, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and members of foreign militaries have trained on 13 different systems here.
Fort Huachuca is home to the world’s largest unmanned aircraft systems training area. The fort’s 964 square miles of restricted airspace and nearly 350 days in a year of ideal flying weather make this former old West outpost well suited for the UAS training mission.
QRC Soldiers board the bus to Tucson for their year-long deployment.
Lt. Col. Victor Hamilton, commander, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, shares his advice and words of support to the Soldiers and families.
