The Colorado Springs Gazette, local to the US Air Force Academy, has an interesting article on the rise of UAVs at “Zoom U,” the military Academy most stereotypically known for its association with fighter jets.

Last year, the Air Force ordered more drones than fighter jets, and the Air Force Academy became the first service academy in the nation to launch a program to coach cadets in their use.

“Unmanned aircraft are here, and they are the future of the Air Force,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Dave Latham, an experienced pilot who directs the academy’s extracurricular drone program.

UAVs are becoming an integral part of the US Air Force, even from the beginning.