A View From Above: Minot AFB Using Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Vehicles

Written by: Rodney Wilson

The view from above is always much different than a view from ground level. Take the example of a bird that has taken flight to hunt for, or attack prey. The slightest movement on the ground can be detected and followed.


For the U.S. Air Force, drone technology is not new, however the implementation of that technology is evolving.
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Lier is the new sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems-commonly called drones) program manager at Minot AFB. “It’s been something I’ve been trying to get into for a while. I heard about the program, and it all seemed really interesting. When the position opened up here, I guess I was the loudest voice saying, ‘Hey, I want this job’, and thankfully they gave it to me,” according to Lier.


SUAS technology is described as a modernization of the force that was started in late 2020. “We had to get all the proper procedures, authorizations and permissions to fly because it is an air space over a military installation, so there are certain restrictions that come into play, and that requires additional training,” continues Lier. “We just finalized details on our main document about two months ago,” and the pilots have just started flying the vehicles in the past month. These vehicles can be used for security augmentation, emergency awareness and a list of other situations where the sUAS vehicles are useful tools. Lier said, “As this technology expands and more and more people are having drones, we also have to remind people that when you are on base you can’t fly drones.” TSgt. Lier’s program allows the Security Forces to get familiar with the look of an area as well as concrete information on what a drone looks like and what it sounds like.


Those who own a drone are familiar with their limited ability to fly close to military air space. “Those drones have technology built into them that keeps them from infringing on military air space,” says Lier.


Because of the newness of the program, there is still room for those who may be interested to look into the program as it expands into the future.
Lier can see the advantage of using sUAS vehicles in environmental conditions where it is difficult, if not impossible, for a human to navigate. “It may allow us to get out there and gather information.”
In the future, the sUAS vehicles could be on call 24/7 when called upon for a specific mission.
TSgt. Lier wants to make sure that people know that the sUAS vehicles are not used above the residential area on Minot AFB. “It would take much higher authorization, if at all, for that to take place.”

You May Also Like…

The Annual Memorial Day “Murph” Workout

The Annual Memorial Day “Murph” Workout

On this Memorial Day, carrying on an honoring tradition spanning more than a decade, people all over the world have participated in specific “hero workout of the day,” or WOD, to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. A renowned hero WOD is named “The Murph”...

Minot AFB Represents at Fargo Marathon

Minot AFB Represents at Fargo Marathon

They have done it! 26.2 miles is now checked off and completed by a group of hardcore Airmen athletes. The Minot AFB Running Group, primarily led by Chaplain Mark Bradshaw, 5th Bomb Wing, completed their goals of finishing the Fargo Marathon. While this race was not...

Persistence Pays Off-MHA Interpretive Center Tells the Stories

Persistence Pays Off-MHA Interpretive Center Tells the Stories

As you cross the 4 Bears bridge west of New Town, you glance down at beautiful Lake Sakakawea, today active with countless fishing boats headed for favorite fishing spots, most looking to catch walleye or other sport fish. Ahead you can see the Island Girl, a large...

0 Comments

Subscribe to our Weekly Post Brief

Subscribe to our Weekly Post Brief

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Northern Sentry

You have Successfully Subscribed!