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U.S. Army Green Berets and Soldiers assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) build, troubleshoot, and fly custom first-person view (FPV) drones during the Operator Drone Basic Course at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, January 2026.
Students assemble quadcopters from carbon fiber frames, motors, flight controllers, and wiring on the workbench, then take to the skies for live FPV flight operations in wooded training areas. Wearing goggles and using handheld transmitters, operators practice low-level navigation, precision maneuvers, and tactical employment while instructors provide real-time guidance.
The course develops critical skills in drone construction, repair, and employment to enhance reconnaissance, overwatch, and force protection capabilities—placing unmanned systems in high-risk environments instead of personnel. This training increases lethality, adaptability, and situational awareness for Special Forces operators on future battlefields.
(U.S. Army video by Sgt. Jacob Bradford)
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2026 14:56 |
| Category: | B-Roll |
| Video ID: | 1002823 |
| VIRIN: | 260129-A-NJ170-8034 |
| Filename: | DOD_111634234 |
| Length: | 00:03:56 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Downloads: | 34 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 34 |
This work, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Conducts Operator Drone Basic Course at Eglin Air Force Base, by SSG Jacob Bradford, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
