Guard opening UAV fliers school

[unhappycamper]

‘Breaking out of Nevada’
School will train 20-40 pilots a year


Guard opening UAV fliers school
By Sam LaGrone - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 3, 2008 18:54:05 EST

The second schoolhouse for pilots and sensor operators of unmanned aerial vehicles in the Air Force is under construction — by the National Guard.

“We’re going to be the first off-shoot from Creech” Air Force Base, said Lt. Col. Kirby Colas, commander of the 196th Reconnaissance Squadron. “We’re breaking out of Nevada and bringing airplanes into California.”

The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing plans to stand up the new school by February and train UAV pilots for the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and the active Air Force at March Air Reserve Base near Riverside, Calif., and Southern California Logistics Airport, formerly George Air Force Base near San Bernardino.

The unit already runs a Predator maintenance school at March.

Capt. Albert Bosco, 163rd spokesman, said the school will qualify 20 to 40 Predator pilots and a similar number of sensor operators its first year.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/airforce_uavtrain_110308/%2e