And the UAVs are providing another service--mini satellites to extend FM radio range during operations:
The U.S. Army, seeking to improve communications ranges in Iraq and Afghanistan, had a 20 pound communications relay device built for use on its Shadow 200 UAVs. This enables FM radios, used by ground troops, to increase their range (several times) to over 150 kilometers. More importantly, obstacles like mountains and tall buildings would less frequently interfere.
Recon, strike, and communications. And all organic to brigades and battalions. Not to mention that smaller UAVs that give companies and platoons local aerial views.
It is not a bad thing that the Army can do all these things on their own. The Air Force needs to get over this and become our Space Force.