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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
[[Image:TF-Odin-Flight-Patch.gif|right|thumb|Task Force ODIN uniform patch]]

'''Task Force ODIN''', whose name is an acronym for observe, detect, identify, and neutralize, is a [[United States Army]] [[United States Army Aviation Branch|aviation]] [[battalion]] created in August 2006 to conduct [[reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition]] (RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of [[improvised explosive device]]s in [[Iraq War|Iraq]].

The unit was formed in Texas, and first deployed in October 2006. An Army article says the unit is meant to meet "the critical requirement to 'win back the roads' using Army Aviation assets to maintain a persistent stare over demonstrated at-risk areas for IEDs." The United States Army stood up TF ODIN as a Quick Reaction Capabilities project whose efficacy proved so effective it shaped the Secretary of Defense Directive to establish the Air Force Project Liberty and other ISR related missions.<ref name="shanker"/>

ODIN is the Army's only unit that flies the [[General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle|MQ-1B Warrior-Alpha]] unmanned aerial vehicle. Built by [[General Atomics]] Aeronautical Systems, the extended-range multi-purpose hybrid UAV has an advanced sensor package incorporating electro-optical sensors, including [[FLIR]], and [[synthetic aperture radar]] together with a [[laser rangefinder]] and a [[laser designator]], the latter for "painting" targets for strikes with [[Hellfire missile]]s and [[laser-guided bomb]]s.

By September 2007, the Warrior-Alpha had flown more than 6,000 hours and had contributed to the killing of 3,000 insurgents in Iraq.<ref name="shanker"/><ref name="dvids">{{Cite web| url=http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=12463 | title=Task Force ODIN Using Innovative Technology to Support Ground Forces | accessdate=21 January 2008 }}</ref><ref name="flight"/>

The task force trains operators for active, reserve, and [[Army National Guard]]. These analysts work with every type of unit including the military's top secret units.<ref name="shanker">{{cite news
| last = Shanker
| first = Thom
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22military.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
| title = At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit
| work=[[The New York Times]]
| accessdate =23 June 2008
| date=22 June 2008
}}</ref><ref name="dvids"/><ref name="flight">{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/18/214664/gaasi-flies-first-sky-warrior-uav.html |title=GAASI flies first Sky Warrior UAV-18/06/2007-London-Flightglobal.com |website=www.flightglobal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012155637/http://flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/18/214664/gaasi-flies-first-sky-warrior-uav.html |archive-date=2007-10-12}} </ref>

Task Force ODIN received a [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] (Army) for their work with the [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]].

The Army established a sister, TF ODIN-A, unit in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]].<ref>Roosevelt, Ann, "[http://defensedaily.com/publications/dd/3503.html The Need For Combat Aviation Continues, Increases, General Says]", ''[[Defense Daily]]'', 1 August 2008.</ref> After "Operation New Dawn" (OND), TF ODIN was temporarily positioned in an undisclosed location until further movement into Afghanistan to combine both TF-ODIN and TF-ODIN-A as TF-ODIN-E [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. There are many sub-divisions in the task force: Highlighter, Desert Owl and Night Eagle to name a few.

On 23 February 2009, Task Force ODIN performed the first [[MQ-1B Warrior-Alpha]] combat missile launch.<ref>{{Cite web
| date = 4 March 2009
| url = http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25656&Itemid=128
| title = Unmanned Aerial System First to Fire Missiles in Combat
| work=[[Multinational Force - Iraq]] Official Website
| accessdate =24 August 2009
}}</ref>

According to General [[David Petraeus]] in August 2010, during the previous 90 days in Afghanistan information provided by ODIN had resulted in the killing or capture of 365 militant leaders, detained 1,335 insurgent foot soldiers, and killed another 1,031 Taliban.<ref>Ackerman, Spencer, "Drones Surge, Special Ops Strike in Petraeus Campaign Plan", ''[[Wired News]]'', 18 August 2010.</ref>

As of May 2019, [[MAG Aerospace]] continues to help the [[U.S. military]] fight the [[Taliban]] in [[Afghanistan]] as part of Task Force ODIN under the Army's Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (MARSS) program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/drone-and-attack-helicopter-task-force-hunts-taliban|title=Elite drone and attack helicopter task force still hunts Taliban in Afghanistan|website=[[Fox News]]|date=2 May 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Task Force Odin}}
[[Category:Ad hoc units and formations of the United States Army]]
[[Category:Aviation battalions of the United States Army]]
[[Category:Military task forces]]

Task Force ODIN - Revision history

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