Courtesy Photo | Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers participate in an Unmanned Aerial Systems...... read more read more
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The Georgia Army National Guard launched its first Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator's Course in early 2026, creating a new pipeline for skilled drone pilots.
The 12-day program, which was conducted in Fort Stewart, Ga., January 5-16, is part of an initiative to field low-cost autonomous systems in alignment with a July 2025 Department of War memorandum. The directive delegated authority to commands to integrate small drones “across every unit that wields this capability to defeat the enemy in combat.”
The Georgia program was spearheaded by the newly formed Georgia UAS and Robotic Rapid Deployment (G.U.A.R.R.D.) team. A core group of six master trainers and aviators, assembled by Brig. Gen. Jason Fryman, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, developed the course within a six-month window.
"The only way it was possible to move from concept to a first-of-its-kind course within six months is because this was a team effort," said Col. Matthew J. Kukla, the UAS initiative director, who also serves as the J7 for the organization. "Everyone rallied around Brig. Gen. Fryman making this a priority."
The program aims to establish master trainers within each unit, creating a self-sustaining model for training and currency management like the existing master driver program.
Students were trained mainly on the RQ-28 Short Range Reconnaissance platform, a small rucksack-portable quadcopter drone, but the course also prepared the students for more advanced UAS technology that will be fielded by units soon.
“We start with academic instruction and basic hands-on in a classroom environment,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph E. Barrick, a UAS operations officer. “This progresses with more hands-on operation each day culminating with a situational training exercise in a field environment.”
Sergeant Jacob Hall, a combat engineer with the 848th Engineer Company, was surprised by the academic depth required. "This course reinforced the necessity of a strong academic foundation to safely and effectively employ SUAS," Hall said.
Students in the course praised the relevance of integrating short-range drones into their formations. “These systems will give my unit the capability to perform route, bridge, area, and zone reconnaissance without having to risk a Soldier’s life,” said Sgt. Shaquille Weaver, a combat engineer with the 810th Engineer Company.
Despite initial concerns about learning a new system, students were surprised by the platform's accessibility. Additionally, the drone instruction proved to be a significant personal development opportunity, as Staff Sgt. Jason Poole, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, noted. "Learning to operate this system was a confidence builder for me personally, and I look forward to continuing my skill development with UAS systems."
"It’s exciting to have done our first course, but I am even more excited about what UAS in the Ga. ARNG will look like a year from now," Kukla said. "I have no doubt that Georgia will be a UAS trailblazing state for the National Guard.”
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2026 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 556258 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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