On Drone Pilots, McCaskill Raises Concerns on Increased Use of Civilian Contractors for Surveillance Missions

Press Release

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is continuing to raise concerns on the increased use of private civilian contractors to relieve pressure and combat stress for drone pilots operating from bases on U.S. soil, including Whiteman Air Force Base.

McCaskill, who recently visited Whiteman for a briefing on the drone operations there, had raised concerns to former top Pentagon officials on the consequences of combat stress for drone pilots operating from bases on U.S. soil, and whether the use of civilian contractors to relieve pressure on these pilots is effective or efficient.

"I have also taken a great interest in the increased use of [unmanned aerial vehicles] as assets in the fight against the Islamic State, was well as the heavy demand that use places on the Air Force's limited number of UAV operators," wrote McCaskill, the only member of her party to serve on both the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. "…I commend the Air Force's efforts to boost the retention bonuses UAV operators receive, as well as the steps that have been taken to increase the number of qualified Air Force Pilots. However, I am also concerned that the use of contractors to operate UAVs may be a short-term fix with long-term consequences. As UAV contractors are typically paid far higher than service members, their use may actually encourage trained Air Force UAV operators to seek more lucrative opportunities in the private sector, aggravating and even prolonging the current shortage."

Last week, the New York Times detailed the military's plans to add six surveillance drones operated by civilian contractors in addition to the four currently operating alongside the roughly 60 flown by uniformed Air Force personnel.

McCaskill's letter also raised concerns about contractor oversight, stating: "As a proponent of wartime contracting reform legislation in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, I am well aware of how hard it has been for the military to improve accountability over its contractors, and I want to ensure that the lessons we have learned are applied as the battlefield changes," -- and requested the Air Force provide a detailed accounting of its drone contracts.

McCaskill is a longtime advocate of Whiteman's drone pilots, pushing the Air Force for a strong plan to address the unique form of combat stress faced by the pilots. Since that time, the Air Force has adjusted the drone program to relieve stress on the force--in part, by boosting retention bonuses, and announcing plans to hire an additional 500 pilots. Last spring McCaskill visited the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and wrote to the Air Force to address the unique stresses felt by Airmen "deployed on station"--flying combat missions against enemy forces and immediately going home to their families after a long shift with no adequate way to decompress.

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