{"id":33088,"date":"2023-12-31T23:45:41","date_gmt":"2023-12-31T23:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/12\/31\/new-in-2024-marines-train-more-drone-pilots-fill-mq-9-squadrons\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T21:12:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:12:05","slug":"new-in-2024-marines-train-more-drone-pilots-fill-mq-9-squadrons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2023\/12\/31\/new-in-2024-marines-train-more-drone-pilots-fill-mq-9-squadrons\/","title":{"rendered":"New in 2024: Marines train more drone pilots, fill MQ-9 squadrons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Marine Corps has so far trained 100 leathernecks as MQ-9 pilots<\/a> as it seeks to fill out new squadrons with the uncrewed system to extend reach and reconnaissance for its own drone program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Corps first leased the MQ-9 Reaper in 2018 and only received funding to purchase the drones in 2020, the same year the service created the Reaper military occupational specialty of 7318.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 2022 aviation plan<\/a>, the Corps noted it had trained only 38 of the then-68 pilots it needed, who continue to be commissioned officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reaper first fielded to the U.S. Air Force in 2007 and was used extensively throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and operations globally. The Air Force operated more than 300 Reapers as of 2021, Defense News previously reported.<\/p>\n\n\n