The Georgia Army National Guard has rolled out a new training program designed to turn soldiers across the state into capable drone pilots.
Known as the Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator’s Course, the 12-day program centers on small FPV quadcopter drones while laying the groundwork for operators to transition to larger unmanned systems in future field operations.
The course was conceived as an initiative of Brig. Gen. Jason Fryman, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, who tasked a six-member team of seasoned pilots and instructors with developing the syllabus in under six months.
Instruction starts in the classroom and progresses to hands-on field training, with participants primarily operating the RQ-28 Short Range Reconnaissance quadcopter.
Built by Skydio, the compact, foldable RQ-28 can be carried in a rucksack and features AI-driven autonomous navigation, along with advanced thermal and visual sensors to support diverse mission requirements.
Soldiers are trained to integrate the system into operational scenarios, including route and area reconnaissance in support of engineering tasks.
The initiative aims to establish a network of master trainers who will expand drone proficiency throughout the Georgia Army National Guard over time.
