Base set up for Shadow UAV in Afghanistan

Marine Corps unmanned aerial vehicles have a new home at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 formed a new detachment located here to help 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in south-western Afghanistan. The new detachment became fully operational when it launched its first unmanned aerial vehicle from Camp Leatherneck, an RQ-7B Shadow in support of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, June 30. The unmanned aerial vehicle squadron began planning for a detachment at Camp Leatherneck prior to its deployment from Twentynine Palms, Calif., explained Maj. Matt L. Walker, the officer in charge of VMU-3 Marines at Camp Leatherneck. Deployed Marine unmanned aerial vehicle squadrons have traditionally maintained multiple operating points for UAVs, including Camp Dwyer, Combat Outpost Payne, and Forward Operating Bases Edinburgh and Delaram II.