California Guard Innovation Center Hosts Drone Training

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. - The California National Guard's Hap Arnold Innovation Center brought together military, federal and industry partners for a Defense Contract Management Agency Blue List small Unmanned Aircraft Systems training, collaboration and networking event April 14 that reinforced a whole-of-government approach to accelerating drone capabilities for the warfighter.

"Drones represent one of the most significant battlefield innovations of our time," said Tommy Cheng, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Blue List assessor and engineer.

The event included more than 70 representatives from Team March, the National Guard Bureau, Naval Special Warfare, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, California Counter Drug Task Force, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and several other stakeholders who exchanged ideas, evaluated emerging technologies and bridged the gap between innovation and operational application. The training emphasized the rapidly evolving field of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the importance of integrating trusted sourcing to meet future mission demands.

"Each agency is good at operating in silos and has different objectives, but we need to communicate across services. The goal is to be the one place for warfighters to get their hands on capable and advanced drones through our marketplace at scale," said Capt. Reginold Slater, DCMA Blue List assessor.

Under the old procurement system, only two vendors existed; under the new DMCA Blue List screening, 40 new vendors have been approved, allowing end users to receive arms with drastically reduced acquisition delays.

The Hap Arnold Innovation Center is an innovation hub of the California Guard's 163rd Attack Wing. It helps develop military technology, such as small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. It has also adapted the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft from a lethal expeditionary platform to a life-saving role in domestic operations, such as fighting wildfires from the air with imagery and mapping of fire areas.

Participants in the training engaged with more than 20 drone platforms and accessories, gaining hands-on experience with systems ranging from First-Person View configurations to mission-adaptable platforms. These engagements highlighted the need for smarter procurement strategies and adaptable systems that can scale across a range of operational environments.

"It's absolutely necessary to have these forums. We are interchanging mission needs from multiple agencies to come away with adaptive solutions for the collective mission and unique capabilities," said Master Sgt. Charles Rodriguez from the Hap Arnold Innovation Center and the 196th Attack Squadron sensor operator.

The training directly supports the objectives outlined in Executive Order 14307 and the Secretary of War's drone dominance directive, which call for rapid development, procurement and fielding of unmanned systems. By aligning stakeholders and streamlining acquisition pathways, the DCMA and its partners are accelerating the integration of cost-effective, scalable small Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities into the force.

Maj. Adam Lucero, director of the Hap Arnold Innovation Center, emphasized the importance of working together to achieve long-term success.

"It's about joint collaboration, not competition between agencies. We have the same problems and the same goals. Together, we can rapidly advance technological solutions while also reducing duplication of efforts. Drone dominance is not achieved in isolation, but rather our joint efforts can be combined to create new real-world mission impacts for today's and tomorrow's warfighter," Lucero said.

Leaders and Airmen from the 163rd Attack Wing, including Col. Daniel Vargas, deputy commander, participated alongside mission partners to strengthen interoperability and ensure readiness in an increasingly contested and technology-driven battlespace.

"This session provided valuable insight into how DCMA has created a huge step toward streamlining acquisition while ensuring compliance with evolving security standards, ultimately helping put trusted technology into the hands of our warfighters more quickly," Vargas said.

"Leveraging the innovation ecosystem within the Hap Arnold Innovation Center, we are committed to advancing integration and capability development. Events like this accelerate alignment, foster collaboration and help translate emerging technologies into operational advantage," Vargas said.

As the small Unmanned Aircraft Systems landscape continues to evolve, events like the Blue List training serve as a critical nexus for innovation, collaboration and action - ensuring the joint force remains agile, informed and ready to maintain a competitive edge. This underscores the 163rd's commitment to its strategic priority of ready now and tomorrow, through an innovative approach to mission achievement while being grounded in expertise.

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