The Air Force is updating its awards to recognize drone pilots and hackers

pulse

June 23, 2017 4:26 PM

"As the impact of remote operations on combat continues to increase, the necessity of ensuring those actions are distinctly recognized grows."

Capt. Ryan Jodoi flies an MQ-9 Reaper as Airman 1st Class Patrick Snyder controls a full-motion video camera at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, March 13, 2009.

US airmen tasked with jobs like surveillance and cyber operations have a growing role on the battlefield, even though they are often physically distant from it.

To ensure that kind of work is recognized, the Air Force has introduced new hardware for its service men and women.

The "R" device "was established to distinguish that an award was earned for direct hands-on employment of a weapon system that had a direct and immediate impact on a combat or military operation," the Air Force said in a release.

This refers to work done anywhere, as long as it doesn't expose the service member to personal danger or put them at significant risk of personal danger. The new device would recognize the actions of drone pilots, cyber operators, and other airmen carrying out combat operations far from the battlefield.

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