From Drone to Drone

Air Force, Mescalero, schools work together

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Airmen from the 29th Attack Squadron (an MQ-9 Reaper squadron) at Holloman Air Force Base volunteered to participate as judges and referees in the first Aerial Drone Competition at Mescalero Apache High School, Jan. 21. The event was sanctioned by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation out of Greenville, Texas, and locally organized by Mescalero Apache School teacher, mentor, and coach, Nate Raynor.

“This competition was an exciting opportunity for our students to hone their piloting and engineering skills,” Raynor said. “Being able to put this together has shown me that these events are a true learning experience where teamwork, progressive iteration and precision are paramount to success.”

Raynor collaborated with Tarek Shrabaitai, the vice president of international programs and developments at the REC Foundation, who attended the competition. Shrabaitai expressed the significance of this event is not to be understated, noting that it will serve as a starting point for expansion of the program worldwide, connecting a wide variety of communities.

“Starting this trend on the Mescalero Apache Reservation is incredibly important,” said Shrabaiti.  Native Americans are seriously underrepresented in STEM fields and partnering with the Air Force will help us jumpstart state-wide expansion, providing so many students with opportunities they may have thought they didn’t have.”

“The goal was to bolster ties with the local community, especially since our squadron mascot is the Ghost Warrior,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Alexander Rockwell, 29th Attack Squadron instructor pilot and event coordinator. “The Mescalero Apache tribe has been our local community partner for years now, so any chance we can get to meet members of their tribe is a great opportunity.”

With the success of the first drone competition in the state, the future looks bright for the students and mentors who are looking to get into science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related activities.

For more information regarding STEM-related activities and future aerial drone competitions, you can contact Tarek Shraibati at tarek@roboticseducation.org.


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