(Editor’s note: Only first name is given because the Air Force limits disclosure of identifying information to first names for all RPA pilots and sensor operators throughout their careers.)

It has been over 60 years since the Army Air Corps existed and the enlisted pilots of both the First and Second World War augmented the fight for air superiority.

Here in the modern military, the USAF is bringing enlisted pilots back into the fold to fly remote piloted aircraft with its Enlisted Pilot Initial Classes.

One of the select few enlisted service members chosen to trailblaze the EPIC and fly the RQ-4 Global Hawk is Master Sgt. Mike, a KC-10 Extender flight engineer with the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron here.

“I’ve always had a passion for aviation,” said Mike, who has been flying privately for 17 years. “The transition to RPA pilot seemed like a natural progression to me.”

Mike spent the early years of his Air Force career in security forces and retrained into combat arms after finding a passion for marksmanship and instructing. Eventually his love of aviation drove him to become a flight engineer and ultimately led him to the EPIC.  

The first group of enlisted pilots completed Initial Flight Training at Pueblo Memorial Airport in Colorado alongside newly commissioned officers in October. The course, which is mandatory for all manned aircraft pilots, provides a basic understanding of aeronautics through the piloting of the DA-20 Katana.

“RPA pilots still need to have an idea of what’s going on and understand the physics of the aircraft,” said Mike, the first EPIC member to fly solo. “You don’t have the seat-of-the-pants feel of being in an aircraft when you’re flying an RPA, so you really need to understand what the gauges are telling you.”

Following IFT, the enlisted pilots will go on to both the RPA Instrument Qualification Course and RPA Fundamentals Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and Basic Qualification Training at Beale Air Force Base, California. In total, training will take one year to complete.

“My experience as a pilot will continue to be helpful throughout training,” said Mike. “You learn something new every flight, even if it’s just polishing or fine-tuning the skills you already have.”  

As the RPA program continues to grow, Mike and his colleagues remain dedicated to training. He explained that he is humbled by his opportunities to represent the enlisted force during this historic time in the Air Force.

“It’s interesting to look back at where I started,” said Mike. “If there’s something you really want, it’s achievable. You just have to put in the effort.”