Air Force Agents Certified for Drone Operations
Six special agents completed a specialized training program in Virginia to operate new surveillance drones.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Air Force Office of Special Investigations has certified a group of six agents to operate and instruct others on the Skydio X10D drone. The certification followed a rigorous weeklong training course held at the agency headquarters in Quantico, Virginia.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to bolster the agency's capabilities in surveillance, protective-service operations, and crime scene documentation. By utilizing a train-the-trainer model, the program intends to scale these tactical advantages across various field units.
The training course required 16 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of flight scenarios. Five Skydio X10D units are scheduled to enter operational service in January 2027.
The players
Air Force Office of Special Investigations
This is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for conducting criminal investigations and protecting Air Force assets.
Logan Trigg
He is a special agent who will lead the training of the 2nd Field Investigations Squadron on drone operation protocols.
The details
The program prepares agents to handle advanced aerial surveillance tasks, including tracking vehicles and documenting scenes from the air. Following the certification in Quantico, Special Agent Logan Trigg will spearhead training efforts for the 2nd Field Investigations Squadron.
Timeline
The drone capability program began as a pilot project in 2024.
The first group of instructors achieved certification in October 2026.
Five units are slated for operational use beginning in January 2027.
Legal Context
This program follows a pattern set by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 111 pilot project. It signals a move toward integrating advanced aerial surveillance into standard federal investigative workflows across Virginia and beyond.
The implementation of these drones in Virginia will enhance the agency's ability to document outdoor crime scenes and conduct protective operations with greater precision. Residents may observe increased use of unmanned aerial technology during official federal investigations in the region.
The takeaway
The deployment of these drones marks a significant shift toward high-tech evidence gathering in federal criminal investigations. Agencies are increasingly prioritizing aerial capabilities to improve the speed and accuracy of site documentation.
What happens next
Five Skydio X10D units are scheduled for deployment with technical operations agents in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Law Enforcement across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Military Times.
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