AF RPA TRAINING: UTILITY AND TRADITION IN CONFLICT

SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES AIR UNIVERSITY

AF RPA TRAINING: UTILITY AND TRADITION IN CONFLICT

by Lt Col Seward E. Matwick, USAF A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES FOR COMPLETION OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama JUNE 2017

DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release: distribution unlimited

APPROVAL

The undersigned certify that this thesis meets masters-level standards of research, argumentation, and expression.

_____________________________________

DR. THOMAS HUGHES

(Date)

_____________________________________

COL TIMOTHY CULLEN

(Date)

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DISCLAIMER

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force, or Air University.

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About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Seward E. Matwick graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics in 2001. After receiving his commission, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with a Masters of Science in Materials Science and Engineering in 2002. He attended Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, TX. His first operational assignment was in the F-16 at Misawa AB, Japan from 2005 to 2008 where he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Next, he served as an exchange officer to the Royal Air Force at RAF Valley, United Kingdom where he flew Hawk T-1s. After serving as an instructor pilot for the RAF, he transitioned to flying the MQ-1 and MQ-9 at Creech AFB, NV. During that tour, he served as a deployed detachment commander in support of Operation Juniper Shield and as the 22d Reconnaissance Squadron's Director of Operations. He then served one year on the combined, joint staff as the Key Resolve Exercise Branch Chief in the CJ37 at Yongsan AB, Republic of Korea before being selected to attend the Air Force's School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Following his assignment at Maxwell AFB, Lt Col Matwick was assigned to the 432 AEW, Creech AFB.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Thomas Hughes, for his guidance and patience as I repeatedly stumbled through this endeavor. I am indebted to him for the freedom he allowed me to pursue this meandering study and for the effort he spent pushing me to better articulate my argument. His kindness will not be forgotten.

I would also like to thank my reader, Col Tim Cullen, who generously shared his expertise in the field of unmanned systems and included me in several RPA-related gatherings.

Several subject matter experts volunteered their time and served as a sounding board throughout the creation of this project. Fellow RPA pilots, Maj Alex and Maj Bishane, helped me with the initial topic idea and provided blunt feedback, often for just the price of a beer. Lt Col Jason Green at the 558 FTS opened his squadron to me, provided countless documents, and introduced me to numerous knowledgeable sources. One of those was Lt Col Jeff Wiseman, USAF (ret.), who allowed me to repeatedly interview him across numerous phone and office calls. Additionally, the Army UAS enterprise, whether at the 2-13th Aviation Regiment or at Training and Doctrine Command, provided liberal access to their personnel, students, and course material. For everyone who was so generous with his or her time and support, thank you.

Most importantly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family. A great deal of effort went into this project, much at the sacrifice of my wife and children. My wife's patience, understanding, and sacrifice permitted me to focus on the academic material and writing, neither of which came particularly quickly to me. I think she will be more relieved and grateful at my SAASS graduation than I will. Thank you for your support and love.

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