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Malmstrom Airmen selected as RPA pilots

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Staff Sgt. Jacob and Tech. Sgt. Lucas, both 741st Maintenance Squadron missile maintenance operations center members, recently received notification that they were selected for remotely piloted aircraft pilot training.

According to Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs, the enlisted Airmen selected consisted of two senior master sergeants, five master sergeants, nine technical sergeants, 14 staff sergeants and five alternates.

“Thirty enlisted Airmen were chosen Air Force-wide, with five alternates,” said Jacob.

Three of those selected are from Air Force Global Strike Command, two of which are assigned to Malmstrom.

“As an RPA pilot, I will most likely be working with the RQ-4 Global Hawk for high altitude surveillance and reconnaissance missions,” said Jacob. “From my understanding, I will be helping to gather information and intelligence which will give a better picture for decision makers.”

Jacob said an RPA is controlled by three Airmen; a pilot, co-pilot and a sensor operator. The RPA mostly operates automatically, the pilot team just ensures any problems can be identified and taken care of as well as monitoring weather changes and communicating with air traffic control.

The RPA pilot position was initially only available to officer candidates. However, the Air Force recently opened it to allow enlisted Airmen throughout all of the Air Force specialty codes to apply.

“I think that opening up the application process to more enlisted Airmen is a good thing,” said Jacob. “It will help diversify and improve the career field as a whole.”

Lucas and Jacob's training will lead them to Pueblo, Colorado, where Initial Flight Training is held. After IFT is completed, they will then attend RPA Instrument Qualification Course and RPA Fundamentals Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and then Basic Qualification Training at Beale Air Force Base, California. Training will last approximately one year.

Jacob said the application process was different than what he has previously seen. He said he had to compile and submit the application himself.

“Sometimes when you apply for things you have to go through a supervisor or a commander,” said Jacob. “I had to build the package myself by gathering letters of recommendation and taking tests to prove I was fit for the job.”

Both Lucas and Jacob's squadron commander recommender them for the special duty.

“I have no doubt they will exceed as RPA pilots,” said Maj. James Spoo, 741st MXS commander. “Jacob has been wanting to do this for a long time. I know he’s going to take it and run with it because he is such a tremendous maintenance Airmen. He will be a good, if not better, RPA pilot for the Air Force.”

Spoo said Lucas is an exceptional Airman and deserves this opportunity.

According to AFPC/PA, applicants were evaluated on their entire military personnel record as well as their pilot candidate selection method test score. Wood said parts of the evaluation consisted of a traditional paper test and a flight simulator test to assess his hand-eye coordination.

Lucas and Jacob will be embarking on a new journey; trailblazing the way for diversity within Air Force career fields.

“I’m very excited about this new job,” said Jacob. “It’s a combination of the actual job itself and being a part of the first selection of enlisted Airmen to be RPA pilots.”