The battalion became the first infantry unit within 2nd Marine Division to employ the NEROS Archer drone within squad attacks, paving the way for the evolving landscape of drone warfare. “We're adapting to utilizing drones as a precise strike system,” said Capt. Andrew Cannon, the Alpha Company commander of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Cannon explained that from a battalion-level perspective, Marines now have the capability to fully employ strike-style drones with confidence, with short order times for acquiring additional drones.     According to Lt. Col. Andrew Manaois, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the new small unmanned aerial systems effort consists of three primary drones: The Stalker, capable of long-duration surveillance at higher altitudes, one ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) drone that enables small unit leader awareness and decision making, and the NEROS Archer for assisting in assaults.    Manaois explained that these drones work in tandem with the Marine rifle squad to reduce risk factors and ultimately to establish dominance in battle.    "The infantry squads have the ability now to quickly get sUAS up, execute a mission, and allow the squads to continue their maneuver,” said Sgt. Aalijah Preatto, a sUAS operator with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. “This capability provides squads with an organic fires asset. It's very quick, and to the point.”     By pairing surveillance platforms with a one-way strike drone, squads can identify threats early, set conditions, and continue maneuvering while maintaining momentum toward the objective.     “All of that together increases their survivability and ability to extend their culminating point and extend the fight into the enemy’s battle space.” said Manaois.    As warfighting advances and battle tactics change, the ultimate goal for the Marine Corps’ integration of strike drones is to, “increase the lethality and survivability of small unit formations,” said Manaois. “We want to make squads and platoons more lethal, increase firepower, and increase their standoff from the enemy.”     As the Marine Corps continues to evolve its approach to modern warfare, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands at the forefront of innovation, proving that adaptability and lethality remain core to battlefield dominance.