Twenty cadets and five adult members from the Florida Wing’s Pines-Miramar Composite Squadron devoted a day to hands-on training in drone use and search and rescue operations with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office Department of Preparedness & Response, Special Patrol Division — Aviation, and the Unmanned Aircraft System unit oversaw a mission in the Everglades involving a downed aircraft scenario, with Pines-Miramar cadets tasked with locating aircraft wreckage and a simulated crash victim using drone technology.
Cadets working in pairs partnered directly with sheriff’s personnel, deploying drones into the Everglades to locate debris. Once the wreckage and the victim were spotted, the cadets coordinated with the sheriff’s Marine Unit, guiding airboats to the recovery site using real-time drone feeds and radio communication.
Cadets rotated through various roles, including drone pilot, spotter, and mission communicator, gaining first-hand experience in search and rescue techniques, aerospace technology, command post communication, and critical coordination with public safety officers.
Among the day’s highlights was a surprise landing by the sheriff’s office helicopter just feet away from the cadets, providing an up-close look at aviation operations in the field.
The highlight of the day came as BSO’s helicopter made a surprise landing just feet away from the cadets, offering an up-close look at aviation operations and thrilling the entire team.
“This was an incredible opportunity for our cadets,” said 1st Lt. Treicy Soto, Pines-Miramar squadron commander. “From operating drones to coordinating with (sheriff’s office) teams, the training today has given our young leaders real-world skills.”
The event was six months in the making, led by Soto, Pines-Miramar squadron commander, in close partnership with Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas J. Romano.
