What’s Right With Our Schools: Air Force donates drone to Dublin High J.R.O.T.C.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Dublin High School’s J.R.O.T.C program takes on new heights with a donation from the U.S. Air Force.

A drone, or quad copter as the program leader Lt. Col. Scott Ostrow says, helps the cadets learn more about aerospace science.

The cadets have been using the drone since last fall.

“The thing is is that a drone is simply an unmanned aircraft. It can be as big as a building or as small as something to fit in your hand,” says 1st Lt. Cadet Richard Lysaker.

Lt. Col. Ostrow  adds, “This is actually manufactured by a company called DJI and this is the phantom 3 advanced.”

The Air Force retiree says his students are learning 21st century techniques.

This hands on experience gives 93 cadets access to fly the drone at 34 miles per hour with a 3.1 mile radius.

“It’s almost like playing a video game to be honest. The left stick controls how you turn. The right stick controls your altitude. It’s just like it’s pretty succinct,” says Lysaker.

Cadet and Logistics Manager, Charles O’Neal says this is an experience of a lifetime.

“We can review practices and training sessions because of the video feed,” says O’Neal.

Core Commander and Cadet Matthew Howell says, “Within the area and surrounding communities, the drone-this model-is very high tech, and not a lot of units around us have something this new.”

The cadets use the aerial footage to help local businesses.

“We’ve already shot some video for the local TV station for the MLK parade. We’re also talking to the school district. We’re here to use images and video of each of the school campuses, and the new websites that they’re developing,” says Ostrow.

Lysaker says with this equipment he is able to collaborate with fellow classmates and learn to fly.

“You get to truly apply the stuff that you’ve learned in the classroom to a real life experience, which can be used for other purposes,” says Lysaker.

It’s an easy job for these trainees.

“The best part is that any cadet if they’re dedicated enough, within an afternoon worth of training, you can learn how to fly this,” says Lysaker.

The J.R.O.T.C. program is one of few schools in middle Georgia incorporating the drone technology in their program.