The topic of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, has been in the local media recently. I would like to comment on the topic and offer some points for consideration.
At Camp Ripley, our military units strictly focus on a military application of the UAS technology.
The UAS we fly are equipped only with cameras and not weapons systems. Our military UAS teams provide critical battlefield intelligence in a deployed environment. Units at Camp Ripley train on the UAS in order to learn how to observe an enemy or potential threat in real time. This application of UAS ultimately saves taxpayer money and saves service member’s lives.
How does it save money and lives?
Flying a remotely piloted UAS, which weighs about 4 lbs., into an area to discover enemy movement or concentrations, is significantly less expensive than flying a UH 60 Blackhawk helicopter or an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet.
Moreover, because the UAS is remotely piloted. We don’t put lives at risk in trying to obtain this information.
Some in our community are concerned about UAS conducting warrantless surveillance. This is a concern, but a concern for civilian authorities at the national level.
Under section 1385 of Title 18, United States Code military units are strictly prohibited from acting as agents of law enforcement. This is commonly referred to as the Posse Comitatus Act. This prohibition has been further clarified in Department of Defense Directive 5525.5, “which precludes members of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps from direct participation in a search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activity unless participation in such activity by such member is authorized by law.”
There are those who have argued that any use of UAS – whether for military or civilian application – in our community is a danger.
This is one viewpoint, but consider the following: Unmanned aircraft may be used to increase efficiency, save money, enhance safety and even save lives.
For example, a large portion of the Midwest is currently under drought conditions. UAS may be used by civilian agencies to watch for forest fires thereby increasing response time and reducing the potential loss of valuable forest land.
Another example of potential UAS use is the annual spring flooding that takes place along the Red River. Civilian use of the UAS could aid in the observation of flood conditions, aid in search and rescue missions, or to monitor the integrity of an earthen levee system.
There are those in our community who are concerned about the use of UAS as an offensive weapon. It is a fact that Predator UAS have been used extensively in the war in Afghanistan. However, it is also a fact that Camp Ripley units do not have the Predator UAS, nor does the Minnesota National Guard have the Predator UAS in its inventory.
As a soldier, I have taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. As a protector of the Constitution, I defend the First Amendment, which guarantees the right of free speech and freedom of assembly.
As a citizen, I also know to take my concerns to the people who have the ability to do something about them. Raising concerns about warrantless surveillance or the lawful use of Predator UAS are worthy causes best addressed by our national lawmakers.
Scott A. St. Sauver, Colonel, is MNARNG at Camp Ripley, Post Commander.
Comments (22)
Add commentDrones
Thank you to Colonel St Sauver for the excellent description of the activity of the drones at Camp Ripley. I find it pathetic that a few sick protesters should cause a military commander to have to explain in detail, the operations under his/her command. This has Viet Nam protests written all over it again and these sick protesters should cease and desist immediately before it turns to that. Rest assured, Colonel St Sauver, we are behind you 100% if necessary and the BDD can keep their trouble making reporters away from Camp Ripley. Again, Colonel, thank you for all the good you have done for the surrounding communities in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Camp Ripley has become one of the premier military facilities in the country and employs thousands of local citizens. If necessary, we will defend the beauty and economic benefits you bring to our area. The BDD needs to learn to work with Camp Ripley, not against it. I recommend the BDD set up an appointment with the Camp Ripley public relations people and learn the position of the military in our community before they, BDD, cause any more problems for the local community with their poor choice of journalism. Keep up the good work, Col. St Sauver and Staff.
Things that go BUMP in the night !
Heaven forbid they ever use these drones for good ,like finding missing hunters/people in the woods......
From what Ive seen on maps , Ripley controlled airspace is virtually off limits to civilian aircraft.
Just because the DNR has an office on Ripley ,kind of doubt drones will be taking photos of game violators.
"Few sick protestors", Charlie
Like the genuine tea tax protesters in Boston?
Like the patriots in Lexington and Concord in 1775?
Those are my peeps!
Southie&captron
I think I just figured out what goes bump in the night. I think it's southie rolling around in captron's head every time he rolls over.LOL
Is that you, guy?
Time to get to work.
St. Sauver is being deceiving
St. Sauver is being deceiving because Camp Ripley, the MN National Guard, aerial search and surveillance are Except for the Possse Comitatus ACT. Also the MN National Guard has been assisting Law Enforcement since 1989 with their counter drug program. These are just a few examples that I found in less than a few minutes. Camp Ripley is completely controlled by the state of Minnesota and the MN National Guard. I’m a combat veteran and I will never degrade St. Sauver’s service. But I’m very alarmed with his inaccurate letter to the BDD.
Below is copied right out of the Possse Comitatus ACT!
KEY EXCEPTIONS TO THE POSSE COMITATUS ACT
A summary of key exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act follows:3
• National Guard forces operating under the state authority of Title
32 (i.e., under state rather than federal service) are exempt from
Posse Comitatus Act restrictions.
• Pursuant to the presidential power to quell domestic violence,
federal troops are expressly exempt from the prohibitions of
Posse Comitatus Act, and this exemption applies equally to
active-duty military and federalized National Guard troops.4
• Aerial photographic and visual search and surveillance by military
personnel were found not to violate the Posse Comitatus
Act.
• Congress created a “drug exception” to the Posse Comitatus Act.
Under recent legislation, the Congress authorized the Secretary
of Defense to make available any military equipment and personnel
necessary for operation of said equipment for law
Hey Charlie , Since your Veteran and know most things Military
How would you compare the success of the US Military involvement in Viet Nam ,and what ever was accomplished in Iraq ?
Were both wars really worth the cost in people and other resources in retrospect.
What should this country take away from both those previous learning experiences, as we enter the 12th year of the last Bush war , as thousands of our citizen ( Guard & Reserve) soldiers continue to return home after multiple deployments .
Captron
You ask, were both Viet Nam and Iraq worth the cost in people and other resources in retrospect. Your answer: YES. Explanation: Do you still have the freedom to post on this site. Do you still have the freedom to do most of the things you now do in daily life. AMEN. You even have the freedom to defend southie11 when she sticks her foot in her mouth and cries, "is that you guy, time to get to work". Next Question Please. Try to think it over a little before you ask another stupid question.
Deceiving
It appears our local post commander has been a bit deceiving. If infantryman is right, the drones are likely being tested to keep an eye on the rest of us... not the taliban, nice cover tho'.
If it comes down to them or us, you know what side they will be on, they know where their paychecks come from... for now.
Gee Charlie I guess I was not aware invasions were pending !
So your answers are Im Free ,were all Free , and the country learned absolutely nothing from those actions that will prevent another foolish war, like the one remaining Bush war .
You discerning wisdom is preposterous yet predictable.
If your so critical about this publication and their " Poor choice of journalism " maybe you should just read something else, maybe printed in the 1960s.
Commissioners should declare Crow Wing "no fly drone zone"
Yes!
That is perfect, they are against everything ('cept voter fraud and conflict of interest) already so no change in "policy" there:)
Sheriff won't like it tho', how else are they going to keep "an eye" on us taxpayers who keep the flow of food and benefits to him and his ever expanding department.
Pending invasions
Hey captron, invasions are always pending when your freedom is in jeopardy. Also, why would I read something out of the 60's. I like humor and there is plenty of it right here, with you on the air. LOL oops-and southie too.
Just curious, Charlie, why do you put down the Brainerd
Dispatch for doing their job -- i.e.: covering the International Peace Day event at Ripley? The media shouldn't "work with" various gov't entities (like Ripley) -- their "mission" is to report on what's going on, right?
Where is this article listed in Op/ed section?
Please just remind me -- I'm sure I missed it.
Col. St. Sauver forgot to mention a few pertinent facts...
The public is entitled to know the facts... Camp Ripley trains on the Shadow RQ-7 and the Raven drones(UAV).The Shadow Hawk munition now arms the entire fleet of RQ-7's for the US Marines and Army, that could previously only be used for reconnaissance, and it does so with a much smaller and cheaper weapon.
RQ-7 can loiter over the battlespace for nine hours at a time, providing high definition video and infrared vision of the entire area, act as a relay station for all communication and how it can deliver a potent lethal force when called upon...all cents on the dollar compared to manned aircraft. Since 2009 the Raven can be equipped with a small tactical two foot munition(bomb) 10-15 pounds ....Raven drones can be operated using DOD-FAA agreed to Class-G airspace notification procedures for flights flown over government owned or leased land. It takes only ten days to train an operator how to fly a Raven drone. Any soldier can be trained to fly these. Research for yourself on your computer the article titled "Coming soon to a police department near you". Shocking information. Also research LMAMS(Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System) two minutes to set up...can fly six miles and fits in a backpack. Also research the Switchblade drone. By September 2015 US airspace will be open to drone flight. This is due the passing of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act passed on February 14,2012 and signed into law by President Obama. It expands airspace for UAV's to fly that are no more than 4.4 pounds.
Additional Information
UAS aircraft flying at Camp Ripley are not armed.
UAS aircraft at Camp Ripley according to FAA regulations cannot fly outside the federally regulated 27,000 foot ceiling on Camp Ripley.
Posse Comitatus Act allows exemptions for the National Guard for missions such as Flood fighting and and Tornado disasters like Wadena. An important thing to note is that their is a difference in Title 32 status in regard to training and in regard to support operations. At all times the military is under civilan control.
In support of operations i.e. Counter Drug, flood fighting, etc. the Minnesota National Guard remains a support force for local law enforcement and cannot conduct law enforcement duties unless directed by civilian authority.
"27,000 foot ceiling"
It's not the ceiling that concerns us... it's the use of them over Crow Wing Township, St. Mathias Township, Fort Ripley Township etc. that concerns us... and what are they (you) taking pictures of. It's bad enough we have Google earth to spy on us...
I'm not sure the camp commander can be trusted for upholding the constitution on this one, he appears to be a "company man" in this case, whatever it takes to keep moving up the ladder, citizens rights be damned.
Outside Camp Ripley
The use of UAS in Crow Wing Township, St. Mathias and Fort Ripley would be classified as outside the installations airspace.
All UAS on Camp Ripley according to FAA Regulations must be flown within the confines of Camp Ripley and its restricted airspace.
Guess again...
Twin engine UAS have been seen and heard over Crow Wing Township in April or May of this year. Our current gov't and it's sorry excuses for leaders are more concerned about the general population getting fed up with the crap than they are about radical Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood. We spy on and strip search (by TSA) hard working taxpayers and welcome mosque after mosque. The enemy has landed, they are good at flying aircraft into tall buildings and shooting co-workers at Fort Hood... not to mention bullying us into allowing sharia law.
UAS Reports
If there is a sighting of UAV's off the post at Camp Ripley please contact the Public Affairs Office at Camp Ripley at 320-616-3122.
Chasing
They appeared to have a "runaway" on their hands, a blackhawk was doing circles around it... the UAV was traveling East-Northeast... maybe heading back to Snoopy.
That was the observation.