At Fort Stewart, Georgia, the U.S. Army is transforming how soldiers train for modern warfare by adopting gaming simulators like Liftoff to prepare drone operators. This initiative, part of the Transformation in Contact (TIC) program, marks a significant departure from traditional military training methods. Instead of formal schools, soldiers begin with commercially available drone simulators before transitioning to real flights.

The shift reflects lessons learned from Russia's war on Ukraine, where drones have become critical tools for reconnaissance and strikes. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT) soldiers now use first-person view goggles to pilot quadcopters, an immersive but disorienting experience that requires mastering inverted controls. This hands-on approach allows operators to shape doctrine from the ground up, testing emerging technologies like drones, electronic warfare equipment, and new communications devices.

Army leaders, including Col. Alexis Perez-Cruz, emphasize studying the Ukraine conflict to reimagine future combat. For soldiers like Spc. Lathan Thomley, drone piloting adds a new dimension to traditional cavalry roles. The initiative underscores how the U.S. Army is adapting to a battlefield increasingly dominated by aerial surveillance, blending innovation with established military doctrine to maintain tactical advantage.