Cherry Point, NC. (December 5, 2022): In this photo by Sergeant Servante Coba, U.S. Marine Corps PFC Clayton Hilemon and Sergeant Alexander Locconielsen, low altitude defense gunners with the 2nd Low Altitude Defense Battalion, transmit an electronic signal to an incoming drone aircraft using the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS). The L-MADIS is an electronic attack system that targets enemy drones using signals to destroy or negate their threats to fellow Marines. The 2nd LAAD is part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing which is the aviation element of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
Cherry Point, NC. (December 5, 2022): Who would have imagined a military job where Marines cruise the modern battlefield in drone killing machines? What sounds like science fiction is today’s reality as the world’s militaries confront this increasingly deadly threat. As we have witnessed in Russia’s war on Ukraine, drone warfare has proven costly for both sides.
In recent fighting against ISIS, Marines encountered cheap, readily available, commercial drones and soon realized the menace they pose to our forces. American forces responded to this threat through a combination old and new technology backed up by the latest in electronic warfare.
The Marine Corps Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS) upgraded existing air defense units who currently used the Stinger anti-aircraft missiles with counter drone technology. Today, the 2nd Low Altitude Defense Battalion’s L-MADIS teams work as a pair, one focusing on fixed wing and rotary aircraft while the other concentrates on unmanned aerial vehicles while providing radar coverage for both. These L-MADIS units use short-range surface-to-air and shoot-on-the-move air defense weapons to defend the battlespace. Most critically, the L-MADIS system employs short range electronic warfare air defense weapons to blanket the maneuver force from threats from the air.
The field of Low Altitude Defense Gunner is open to men and women, and, after recruit training, candidates attend the Basic Gunner Course at Twenty-Nine Palms, California and are then assigned to low altitude air defense batteries. Students learn to identify and target UAVs, low-flying, high-speed fixed-winged aircraft, and helicopters while still employing the older Stinger systems.
As American forces confront the increasing use of killer drones, we can be certain that U.S. know-how and technological skill will protect Marines in combat. You can make a Marine’s day by sending Yellow Ribbon Care Package containing comfort items that are hard to get for our overseas deployed servicemembers. By contributing to Support Our Troops' Patriot Brigade®, you help ship thousands of packages this holiday season directly to overseas deployed servicemembers.
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