Nathaniel Edwards
Fredericksburg
Summary
A proven Mission Commander and experienced full spectrum UAS/UAS operator and instructor exceptionally adept and balancing multiple, competing operational tasks and requirements. Over 20 years of personnel recovery (PR), aviation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) experience with the Department of Defense, showcasing a results-driven passion for PR/CSAR operations and cutting edge innovation. A unique blend of technical expertise, operational savvy, transformative thinking and an unrelenting can-do attitude that unites teams to achieve goals across a broad range of objectives.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professional Service Engineer/Lead Pilot
DroneShield
03.2023 - Current
- Lead Pilot for Counter UAS Operations and Testing
- Flight Planning and mission briefing.
- Networking multiple sensors and cloud based systems for customer around the globe.
- Lead instructor for Counter UAS and flight operations.
- Travel 75% of the time to remote sites for customers interactions, flights and inspections of current equipment.
- Fly various group I and II unmanned systems for imagery analysis and inspection purposes.
- Perform all pre and post flight maintenance on Unmanned systems.
- Data collection and imagery for post flight collection software, Drone Deploy and and mapping for arcGIS.
Field Service Representative, JUMP 20 Pilot
AeroVironment
01.2020 - 06.2023
- Mission Commander in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq for Tier One assets with 100 percent Aircraft survivability, mission completion and customer satisfaction.
- 4000 hours on Piccolo Command Center (PCC)
- 3500 mission flight hours as group IV Fixed Wing/Rotary/VTOL UAS operator.
- Executed operations in excess of 1200 hours on multiple payloads including Multispectral, Infrared (IR), and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) payload sensor operations.
- Conducted Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of Full Motion Video (FMV) in support of sensitive overseas operations.
- Responsible for assisting in build up and maintenance for 7 aircraft resulting in 24/7 full mission capability.
- Mission planning in high threat dynamic environment with no supervision.
- Develop flight plans, check NOTAMS, check weather and coordinate airspace integration with any affected controlling agencies.
- 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Post flight GIS data collection.
Instructor III
Amentum, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency
02.2022 - 05.2023
- Planned and trained Security Officials for Personnel Recovery Planning and execution
- Responsible for the day to day briefing and training Department of State officials on the planning and procedures for current real world recovery events
- Operational Level Instructor for Senior level intelligence operations in a global arena
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning
MQ-8 B UAS Pilot/Team Lead Instructor
United States Navy
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Lead instructor/operator for Navy's fleet replacement Aircrew school. Developed curricula, instructions, documentation and written tests for personnel recovery, tactics, weapons and technical rescue training courses.
- 1600+ mission flight hours as group IV Pilot /Operator, qualified assistant pilot and Sensor Operator. Created and oversaw training program for 24 aircrew in airborne counter-systems.
- Executed eight test and evaluation plans for experimental payloads for aircraft integration. Resulting in design changes early in acquisition leading to considerable long-term cost savings.
- Deployable mechanic and fabricator to repair aircraft on location.
- Naval Training Operations and Procedures Standardization evaluator/instructor.
MH-60S Instructor/Operator Supervisor
HSC-22, United States Navy
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Responsible for Day to day operations of 53 Aircrewman and Pilots, 12 MH-60S aircraft in excess of 30 million dollars.
- Lead instructor for personnel recovery, combat search and rescue tactics, procedures, evasion and escape, led in excess of 400 hours of instruction. Designed individual education plans tailored to student abilities and job description. Trained and evaluated 37 Naval Aircrewman, Door Gunners, and Rescue swimmers for kinetic operations in multiple Areas of Operations.
- Provided professional development training to educate squadron members on Combat Search and Rescue and Personnel Recovery policy and regulations and doctrine.
- Responsible for effective completion of 107 missions saving 2.3 million dollars on mission sorties.
- Test and evaluation and Technical Writing for M134 weapon system.
- Performed preflight and post flight aircraft and sensor inspections.
- Operated infrared and low light television sensor systems and illuminator equipment.
Search and Rescue Instructor/Team Lead
Search And Rescue Lemoore, United States Navy
07.2014 - 09.2017
- Founded NAS Lemoore's first Mountain Rescue Squadron, authored policy, procedures and tactics that established best practices, military standards and safety protocols in Civil Search and Rescue (SAR)
- High altitude rescue and rappel instructor for all incoming aircrew. Responsible for curriculum development, lesson plans, training aids, instruction and certification of aircrew. Instructed over 600 hours in classroom and in helicopter leading to certifications of all 14 crew members.
- Mountain medicine instructor, led 200 hours of classroom and environmental instruction, certifying 4 additional aircrew.
- Developed project timelines for curriculum, operational procedures, training criteria, exercise and certification of rescue aircrew based on California Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) and US Navy requirements.
- Led 14 professionals focused on meeting mission head on, accumulated over 800 flight hours in support of civil rescue missions, contributing to 13 rescues.
- Coordinated logistics with California Office of Emergency Services for safe execution of Search and Rescue Operations throughout California and Nevada.
Naval Aircrewman
HSC-8, United States Navy
07.2010 - 07.2014
- Operations Lead and Level III Personnel Recovery (PR) instructor for 34 crewman, coordinated instruction, training and daily flights for nine aircraft with six training missions per day.
- Deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM for 15 total months conducting Combat Search and Rescue missions overland with non-conventional forces.
- Trained and educated allied nations on Non-Conventional Assisted Recovery (NAR), flew training missions with partner nations in support of NAR in USCENTCOM theater of operation.
- Planner and operator on Hostage Recovery go-team for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl. Exercised execution of mission with Special Forces in USCENTCOM.
- Trained and mentored subordinates in personnel recovery procedures and policies.
- Coordinated rescue and recovery operations with airfield personnel, verifying all parties were informed of activity.
- Initiated tracking and monitoring program that developed standards system for Navy Aviation Training and Operations Procedures and Standardization execution. Ensured all aircrew maintained currency and made 100% of their scheduled flights.
- Certified COMSEC Manger, responsible for updating and maintaining of COMSEC equipment while deployed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - UAS Operations, Aeronautical Engineering
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
South Daytona, FL04.2024
Skills
- Personnel Recovery / Combat Search and Rescue
- Instructor
- Instructional Strategies
- Fixed Wing/Rotary/VTOL UAS Pilot/Mechanic
- Test and Evaluation
- TS/SCI security clearance
- Curriculum Design
- Sensor Operator
- Program Management
- Private Pilot License (In Progress)
- Mission Commander
- Military Combat Mission Planning
- Operational Experience
- PFPS/ Falconview
- Government Communications Networks
- Airframe and structural mechanic and design
- Aerospace Propulsion
- Manned and unmanned payload operations
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Part 107
- Counter UAS
Certification
JUMP 20 UAV - March 2020
Fabrication and Avionics/Electronics for UAS - November 2018
MQ-8B flight and Mechanic School - October 2018
Advanced Mountain Rescue Flight School - 2007
Advanced Capabilities and Flight Procedures - September 2007
E.M.T. School - 2007
MH-60S Flight School, Aircrewman - July 2003
S.E.R.E School - July 2002
Part-107 - May 2020
Timeline
Professional Service Engineer/Lead Pilot
DroneShield
03.2023 - Current
Instructor III
Amentum, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency
02.2022 - 05.2023
Field Service Representative, JUMP 20 Pilot
AeroVironment
01.2020 - 06.2023
MQ-8 B UAS Pilot/Team Lead Instructor
United States Navy
09.2017 - 08.2020
MH-60S Instructor/Operator Supervisor
HSC-22, United States Navy
09.2017 - 08.2020
Search and Rescue Instructor/Team Lead
Search And Rescue Lemoore, United States Navy
07.2014 - 09.2017
Naval Aircrewman
HSC-8, United States Navy
07.2010 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Science - UAS Operations, Aeronautical Engineering
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
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