The UAV Basic Course will be available in June, 2026.
The UAV Basic Course trains Mojave Ranger Drone Pilots to manage safety, SAR and over watch flights during the weekly airsoft games at Fort Edwards.
Students who join the Mojave Rangers and take the Ranger Basic Course can participate in the Ranger and 1st SFG Milsim missions and run recon, SAR, security and overwatch flights from patrol bases and field operations. Mojave Ranger UAV Teams make rank-based stipends from the General Fund as well as Ranger Basic Graduate and Expert Riflemen bonuses.
Ranger UAV Teams make additional bonuses and stipends to assist with training demonstrations and fundraisers.
4 Phases of Training
- Fort Phase: trainees learn basic flight procedures, maintenance, record keeping and team procedures at the fort
- Patrol Base Phase: trainees learn remote operations, patrol base security and Ranger operations
- trainees are promoted to UAV Technician (Specialist 4th) at the end of the Patrol Base Phase
- SAR Phase: UAV Techs learn SAR operations at the fort and on remote operations
- UAV Techs in the Ranger Basic Course (or graduates) may deploy with Troop 4 Ranger operations or Opfor
- ERC/YOUHAD: UAV Techs manage aerial over watch and video operations of the Expert Rifleman Challenge and YOUHAD contests and radio beacon missions.
- UAV Techs who have accumulated enough flight hours are promoted to Observer/Co-Pilot (Specialist 5th) after YOUHAD
FAA Part 107 sUAS Exam Prep
The FAA Part 107 commercial drone license is required for promotion to UAV Pilot. Graduates of the UAV Basic Course are far more than qualified to sit for the FAA Exam.
