Rick Crosson, operations officer for the 5th Battalion, 101st Avn. All the technology in the world will not replace the guy assessing the situation. That's something a piece of equipment can't do. Shawn Burnah uses a signal while Sgt. Paul Cromer checks his grid points and practices his radio technique.
Pathfinders have a long and colorful history.
The pathfinders have taken part in each of the nation's conflicts since then, and were on call for the recent drama along the Kuwait-Iraq border. The pathfinders' last combat action occurred during Operation Desert Storm. They set up forward aircraft release points so long-range Allied air assault missions would not get lost in the desert. Pathfinding is not for everyone. The acceptance requirements are strict.