Photo By Joseph Siemandel | Private 1st Class Bryson Edwards, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator with Det. 1,...... read more read more
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Tucked away in the middle of the Yakima Training Center sits Mettie Air Strip, a newly remodeled air field capable of landing a C-17 Globemaster. Guard members from Detachment 1, Delta Company, 898th Brigade Engineering Battalion, use the field to train on a much smaller airframe, the RQ-7Bv2 Shadow unmanned aircraft system.
“This is a fun airframe, its’ capabilities as an imagery platform are impressive with near real time video and flight endurance of 9 hours,” said Chief Warrant Officer Three Barry Kerr, supervisor of the tactical unmanned aerial system (TUAS) facility on Yakima Training Center. “Our team loves what they do and they have fun.”
Trained at the schoolhouse at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, new TUAS operators learn how to fly the small light-weight aircraft and maintenance staff learn how to ensure the system is running smoothly. The soldiers that come through the schoolhouse also learn the practical applications for the system and how it works within the intelligence collection process.
Kerr has been in his position for the past 11 years and has seen the airframe and soldiers in the unit change through time, but believes that this is one of those places that Guard members can learn and grow their skills in the TUAS market.
“The need and desire for drones and drone operators in the job market now is amazing,” said Kerr.
Sgt. Jesse Brandsoy, an unmanned aircraft systems repairer from Easton, Wash., has utilized his experience with the Shadow and is now working in the civilian sector. Originally from the Wisconsin National Guard prior to transferring to the Washington National Guard, Brandsoy worked at the schoolhouse at Fort Huachuca as an instructor before securing a position with Amazon’s aircraft delivery program.
“I have been there four years now, I have seen the program go from an idea to being tested in two different markets,” said Brandsoy. “Four of us work with the Amazon program providing expertise in the field.”
Brandsoy notes the difference in the Shadow from when he started operating the program nine years ago as well and how it is different from the Amazon program, but says a lot of the research and data collected is similar, ensuring the platform runs smoothly.
“With Amazon the goal is to load a package at a distribution center, program the drone on where to go and then send it off,” said Brandsoy. “We aren’t operating a 21-foot drone to deliver packages like we are here.”
Many of the requirements for the operators are similar to those of rated pilots flying helicopters or planes. They have to pass vision tests, take flight physicals and have mandatory crew rest and can only fly so many hours a day. They are also required to fly so many hours a year to continue progressing in the field, however the major difference is the individuals operating the Shadow are doing so from a ground station.
“Our folks flying these systems are usually very young and learn quickly, they grew up with video games and that hand eye coordination and multi-tasking shows here,” said Kerr. “It can be stressful at times, but I am always impressed with how these soldiers do their job, and have fun doing it.”
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2023 13:19 |
| Story ID: | 447283 |
| Location: | YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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