Photos

U.S. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4, Marine Aircraft Group 41, Marine Forces Reserve configure satellites before the launch of the RQ-7 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System on Camp Pendleton, Calif., August 19th, 2017. The RQ-7 is helping VMU-4 make history as it is utilized to conduct yearly surveys of deer and buffalo populations on the base, a job formerly tasked to manned helicopters. In addition to offering a low-cost solution to conducting wildlife surveys, the exercise also provides valuable training to Marines who are learning to use the UAVs for aerial reconnaissance in areas of conflict.