Drone Facility at The Gap Introduces A Unique Training Opportunity

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA. — The Unmanned Aircraft System Operations Facility at Fort Indiantown Gap has been transformed into a state-of-the-art training center for the RQ-7 Shadow unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. This facility is open during the week and provides 28th Infantry Division Soldiers the opportunity to maintain their flying hours and training levels.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea is the head of the full-time command team that operates the facility and is responsible for the recent development of the Aviation Training Program (ATP). The ATP focuses on training both the operators and maintainers of the aircraft and the UAS facility holds a key role in refining the program. Air Mission Survivability is one of the newest facets of the ATP, which was built specifically for Soldiers with Delta Company, 876th BEB, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Delta Company, 103rd BEB, 56th SBCT.

The UAS facility houses the only operation center for the Shadow at Fort Indiantown Gap. This aircraft provides reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and force protection. However, there are specific limitations that must be met to fly the Shadow, such as line-of-sight flying and restricted airspace.

Fort Indiantown Gap, which is the only Level II National Guard training center in the northeast United States, offers the necessary space and assets to facilitate UAS aerial and simulation training. Warrant Officer Adam Rocker, a UAS operator and part of the facility staff, coordinates the usage of the aircraft and implements the ATP. Soldiers must fly 12 hours semiannually and 24 hours in a simulator to maintain their flight status.

To be an aircraft commander, there are no grade requirements but they do need to have 50 hours of flying time and a high level of maturity. In the event of an emergency, they must be able to make quick decisions and stick by them. According to Rocker, “This is not your average MOS. There are a lot more requirements and a lot more is asked of you.”

Despite the limitations, the UAS facility still boasts more support and availability than facilities in neighboring states, such as New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Virginia, who all fly out of Fort Indiantown Gap.