NBC Today Show Visits Holloman Air Force Base UAS Training Unit

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Janet Shamlian, a national correspondent for NBC News “Today” show, visited Holloman Air Force Base last week for a live remote from the base, which was used as an introduction for a video segment Shamlian and her crew gathered June 24 during a media day visit.

“We’ve seen such an increasing use in RPAs,” Shamlian said. “These aircraft are very controversial, but they are an increasing part of the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal.”

She said she thought it was good for people to learn about the RPA programme.

“I don’t think it hurts to put this in front of people’s faces and show them how it is done,” she said. “Opinions are very strong on this type of weaponry and (NBC) did this story without passing judgment on it.”

She said that NBC executives thought it would be interesting to get an up-close look at how non-traditional RPA pilots and sensor operators are trained.

“In terms of the military, it requires a new type of pilot — and this is the epicenter,” she said. “So (NBC) reached out to Holloman and they were very accommodating to us. (NBC) said, “We really want a good look at the training, not just a cursory walk-through of the place.'”

According to Shamlian, NBC execs wanted to educate viewers about how a new generation of Air Force pilots are trained.

During her tour of the RPA programme, Shamlian talked with the pilots in training.

“A lot of our viewers are women,” she said. “I think it makes it interesting to see one of the women that we profiled say, “I can be part of the military and fight the war during the day and be home with friends or family at night.'”

Shamlian said the RPAs have changed the way the military conducts warfare.

“For those reasons, we felt it deserved some national exposure,” she said. “This is exposing the training to an audience of 6 million-plus people.”

She said another reason for the coverage is that taxpayers fund the planes and training.

“I think — and Holloman officials told me they agree — that people should have access to it to see how it is done,” she said.

Shamlian said she enjoyed seeing the base and had a nice time learning about the aircraft.

“I love aircraft of any kind,” she said. “It’s just a personal fascination for me.”

She said seeing the ground control stations was the most interesting part of the RPA program. Shamlian said the control stations look like “freight cars or boxes.”

“It’s just strange to think that those boxes are controlling the RPAs,” she said.

Shamlian was able to go inside the ground control station and enjoyed some time in the seat of a flight simulator.

“You know, this is why you become a correspondent — to be able to experience all these different experiences,” she said. “So I had a great visit here. Holloman and the community have been really great to us.”

Source: La Cruces Sun, NBC