Colorado Sailors Key to Navy’s Expanding Unmanned Patrol Operations

Colorado Springs Pueblo, CO, October 9, 2026 — Two sailors hailing from the Colorado Springs area are currently serving with a U.S. Navy squadron at the forefront of the service’s expansion into autonomous and robotics warfare.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jackson Dyer and Petty Officer 2nd Class Russell Lewellen are both assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), which is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. This squadron plays a vital role in the Navy’s strategic shift towards integrating advanced unmanned systems into its operational capabilities.

Sailors like Dyer and Lewellen are involved in the operation of sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems, including the MQ-4C Triton. This maritime surveillance aircraft is designed for long-endurance reconnaissance missions, providing critical intelligence and situational awareness over vast oceanic areas.

Their service also contributes to the development and implementation of the new Robotics Warfare Specialist rating. This initiative aims to equip naval personnel with the specialized skills needed to operate and maintain the growing fleet of unmanned and robotic systems, which are increasingly seen as essential for future naval dominance.

The U.S. Navy continues to invest in and expand its autonomous and robotics warfare programs, seeking to enhance its operational reach and effectiveness. The involvement of personnel in units like VUP-19 signifies the practical application of these advanced technologies in real-world naval operations.

The specific roles and daily duties of Petty Officer 1st Class Dyer and Petty Officer 2nd Class Lewellen were not detailed beyond their assignment to VUP-19 and their involvement with unmanned aircraft systems and the Robotics Warfare Specialist rating.

Story summarized from the original created by O’Dell Isaac on gazette.com, see more information here.

Media gallery