In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo is joined by Sergeant Major Patrick Jeffrey, G7 Exercise Sergeant Major for the Southern European Task Force Africa (SETAF-AF), to discuss the Drone Academy program, which provides soldiers with invaluable hands-on experience.
African Lion has presented tons of cool tech, but few have shone as brightly as the drones. This conversation digs into how the Drone Academy helps bring it all to life. Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey explains that the program was designed to be a place where U.S. forces and their African partners could learn about and train with emerging drone technologies. In the five-pillar training program, each exercise mirrors official U.S. Army training standards and is treated as a live testing ground.
Having the technology does no good if it can’t survive the conditions soldiers face in battle. Scorching desert heat, high altitudes, and long distances can all be adversaries. The Drone Academy puts the technology through it all so that only the most capable systems move forward toward procurement and deployment.