The U.S. Army’s 44th Medical Brigade is expanding its use of drones to support battlefield medical operations, highlighting a growing military focus on unmanned systems for logistics and sustainment.

According to a recent announcement from the XVIII Airborne Corps, two soldiers from the brigade’s dental company area support element completed specialized drone training through Clemson University’s Drone Academy. The training is intended to help medical units deliver supplies more quickly and safely in field and deployed environments.

Army 1st Sgt. Fisamuel Reggans and Cpl. David Sanchez, both dental specialists, recently graduated from the academy’s eight-week online unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) course. The program provided instruction in drone operations and prepared the soldiers to support medical resupply missions during training exercises and operational deployments.

The Army says the effort aligns with broader modernization initiatives that emphasize operating in contested and austere environments. In future conflicts, traditional ground-based resupply methods may face delays or become too risky to use.

Military planners increasingly view small drones as a practical solution for moving critical supplies over short distances. Medical units can use unmanned aircraft to transport medications, blood products, medical equipment, and other essential items directly to frontline personnel.

The Army noted that unmanned systems can reduce the manpower required for resupply missions while improving response times and extending operational reach. Drones can also help maintain medical support in hazardous areas where ground transportation may be difficult or dangerous.