Years of experience combined with an “engrained culture of unmanned aerial systems employment” qualify the Air Force to serve as the Pentagon’s executive agent for mid- and high-altitude UAVs, according to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

Speaking Wednesday at the first annual 55th Wing ISR Symposium in Omaha, Wynne said such a move makes obvious sense, since the Air Force has “codified UAS deployment procedures across the current and future spectrum.” In addition, Wynne said he’d like to see unmanned systems tied operationally to the Air Operations Center (AOC) — an Air Force command element.

“The Air Force has stepped forward,” Wynne told a gathering of intelligence officers and defense contractor representatives. “It’s no longer about tactical or strategic, for only the ultimate target determines this. It’s much more about connectivity and the ability to harness information. Connectivity with space and air-breathing systems, language protocols, airspace control, identification of friend or foe, air defense – all fit into the air commander’s bucket.”

Wynne’s comments were hardly off the cuff — they support a wider Air Force campaign to take charge of all U.S. medium- and high-altitude UAVs. His direct subordinate, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, revealed this new strategy March 5 in a three page letter that set Army officials on edge.

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