MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are rapidly changing how the U.S. Marine Corps fights and trains. As technology evolves over time, so does the need for training Marines in their technical military occupation specialties.

In elevated awareness of technology in modern conflict, Marine division and expeditionary units are continuing to expand training opportunities to equip commissioned and enlisted Marines with sUAS capabilities. In combat scenarios, Marines can deploy these drones to execute tactical strikes, view hazardous environments and document training.

In 2024, Marine Corps Installations East used drones in a missing child investigation at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The search team quickly gained valuable aerial perspectives to cover more ground. With the drone’s live imagery, search teams reunited the child with its family within 45 minutes of deployment.

While sUAS remain relevant in new-age combat zones, Marine Corps Installation Command (MCICOM) recognized the use for sUAS extending far beyond combat. sUAS hold unique aerial imagery acquisition capabilities that can be “leveraged to effectively and efficiently accomplish certain installation management functions,” per the Capability Portfolio Integration Board decision on MCICOM Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

sUAS directly contribute to installation mission essential functions including security, emergency and firefighting services, training area management and even within Communication Strategy and Operations.

Marines with Marine Corps Installations West (MCIWEST) Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) are expanding capabilities by integrating small, low-cost and readily available unmanned aircraft systems into visual information and operational support missions. On MCB Camp Pendleton, sUAS have the potential to aid in COMMSTRAT operations ranging from public affairs to battle damage assessments, investigations and emergency responses, mirroring its eastern counterpart at Camp Lejeune.

The occupational field communicates with audiences through written and visual information systems to build understanding, credibility and trust in Marine Expeditionary Forces, while advising commanders and staff on communication strategy matters.

“COMMSTRAT is responsible for public affairs and visual information functional areas and generates combat camera forces,” explains Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jared Padula, visual information officer, MCIWEST, MCB Camp Pendleton. “As a directed imagery capability, we have a responsibility to inform operational and planning requirements for commander decision making with joint-interest visual information.”

For COMMSTRAT Marines, sUAS addresses an operational gap in visual documentation. Traditional imagery limits perspective that is needed to understand training, emergency and operational events. From the ground, cameras and their audiences can only see what is directly in front of them, hiding perspectives and details that are necessary to fully understand events. Only at a birds-eye view can certain scenes and events be seen and understood.

“With a drone at the ready, you are able to provide more directed joint interest imagery to a staff commander to make a decision […] sUAS allow you to do that better,” says Padula.

To address COMMSTRAT and other installation needs for aerial imagery, MCICOM certified the requirement for sUAS capabilities to support a range of operations and established the Free Military Occupational Specialty 8623, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator. Enlisted and commissioned Marines are nominated to enroll in sUAS operations training under Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA) West implemented by the sUAS Program Office, and is present across the Eastern, Western and Pacific regions of the Marine Corps.

“The sUAS course on Camp Pendleton is a 5-day course that trains Marines on drone platforms... so they can be used almost without limit,” says Jeff Meeker, director of aviation operations, MCIWEST, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Certified Marines are instructed to operate in training and field environments with Group 1 sUAS, lightweight and portable military drones. The SKYDIO X2D and Skyraider quadcopter drone platforms are mainly used by TALSA during the course, holding different flight endurances, technical capabilities and mission applications.

Using sUAS, Marines can capture photo and video documentation from an aerial perspective where traditional methods could have placed equipment and people in hazardous locations. sUAS can produce panoramic photos, allowing landscapes and scenes to be cohesively included within a singular visual record. Flight plan programming can streamline visual documentation, where drones can follow a route to collect visual information autonomously. sUAS systems can also operate in low light conditions, and Skyraider is even able to stream live video.

The aerial perspective provides commanders and staff with imagery that creates a complete operational picture. With more situational awareness of the visual environment, information can be more accurately evaluated for decision-making.

sUAS’ unique capabilities support more than just public and internal affairs; on Camp Pendleton, they can assist with anything form documenting and aiding in investigations to training and field work, where the ability to collect imagery may be limited due to hazard or impact areas.

“Documentation can occur where the unmanned capability of sUAS can be seen ahead of firing lines, operating safely in environments with uncertainty,” explains Padula.

Wildfires have recently posed a threat to families and infrastructure on Camp Pendleton – a pipeline fire in July 2026 burned 1,065 acres and prompted local evacuations. With sUAS’ aerial documentation, Marines and firefighters can conduct site surveys throughout a wildfire, helping to control and assess damage, all without stepping foot in a hazardous environment.

As drone capabilities continue to modernize military operations, MCIWEST intends to further broaden skills in sUAS operations for COMMSTRAT Marines. Through MCICOM guidance, the installation will continue to utilize the occupational field to apply sUAS visual information documentation to training and installation environments, taking care of families and missions on Camp Pendleton while still giving priority to deployable units.

“On the operational forces side of things, drones are expanding quickly. The base mission is different. There are varied uses for drones, like security and police interest, mapping, erosion documentation, vegetational surveys, wildfire mitigation, systems inspections...” says Meeker. “COMMSTRAT is a big piece of that, recording life on Camp Pendleton.”

By cross training Marines to become certified sUAS operators, MCIWEST COMMSTRAT can improve Marines’ ability to tell stories, support missions and advise commanders and staff, increasing the flexibility and readiness of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. As drone technology changes the way Marines train and fight, COMMSTRAT Marines position themselves to strengthen installation readiness, provide commanders with information and take care of Camp Pendleton's service members, families and civilians.

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