The U.S. Marine Corps is moving one step closer towards operating its own MQ-9 fleet with the first two Marines graduating from the Basic Sensor Operator Course on Aug. 9.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Aug. 8, 2019) – The Commander of 558 Flying Training Squadron (FTS) Lt. Col. Eric Bissonette (left) and Marine Liaison to 558 FTS Major Matthew Bailey (right) stand with two graduates from the 19-14 Basic Sensor Operator Course (BSOC) graduating class after a winging ceremony aboard Randolph Air Force Base. LCpl Joshua Cuddy (center left) and LCpl Tyler Rodriguez (center right) are the first two Marines to complete 558 FTS BSOC and go on to qualify on the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The BSOC training program is a Air Force school which Marines have recently been doing a joint training with part of the 558 flight training squadron aboard Randolph Air Force Base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Pawel Puczko/Released) 190809-M-ZA072-1091
