Advancing Competence in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS)
By: LTC Samuel Teague, MAJ Wesley Snow, COL Sean Hipp, and SFC Jamez White
Article published on: March 1, 2026 in the 2026 E-Edition of Pulse of Army
Medicine
Read Time: < 7 mins
Abstract:
Drone technology is rapidly reshaping modern warfare, and recent conflicts have highlighted its growing
importance in medical support, logistics, and evacuation. Yet opportunities for Army Medical Department
Soldiers to gain handson experience with small unmanned aircraft systems remain limited. To close this gap,
Keller Army Community Hospital partnered with the U.S. Military Academy’s Electrical Engineering and
Computer Sciences Department to integrate sUAS into daily garrison medical operations and medication
delivery. Their collaborative project demonstrates how drones can enhance medical readiness, improve patient
access, and build foundational sUAS proficiency among Soldiers.
The landscape of warfare is rapidly evolving, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the critical
role of drone technology in military operations. As sUAS are increasingly utilized for various purposes,
including prolonged field care, medial logistics, and, patient evacuation, it is now essential for military
personnel to become proficient in their use. Despite this criticality, there are limited opportunities for
soldiers in the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) to familiarize themselves with drone technology and
capabilities. To address this training gap, Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) has collaborated with the
United States Military Academy (USMA) Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) Department to pave the
way for effective integration of drone technology into garrison medical operations and to build foundational
understanding of sUAS capability among active duty while enhancing the patient experience.
Recently, KACH Commander COL Sean Hipp, LTC Samuel Teague, MAJ Wesley Snow, and SFC Jamez White participated in
the Medical Autonomous Care-State of the Science (MAC-SOS) Conference at the University of Pittsburgh. During
this event, they showcased their poster presentation titled “Overcoming Barriers: Implementing Small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Technology for Medication Delivery at West Point.” The presentation featured the
collaborative effort between KACH and the USMA EECS Department to deliver medications via sUAS to Cadet
Candidates at the United States Military Academy Prep School (USMAPS) which lacks onsite medical assets.
Collaboration began in November 2024 and the successful test flight took place in April 2025 with daily flights
ending in October 2025. This project ensured that a KACH soldier can work with sUAS every day and highlights the
importance of leveraging drone technology to enhance operational efficiency in military healthcare while
ensuring that soldiers gain hands-on experience with these critical tools.
Maj. Wesley Snow and Lt. Col. Samuel Teague pose with their poster.
USMA cadets, Jacob Crossman, Daniel Orfao, and Anant Sabata, were also selected to present their poster:
“Medical Delivery Drones for Combat Operations,” which was selected as the top abstract at the conference. Their
work focuses on the technical aspects of implementing drone technology for medication delivery, emphasizing the
potential of sUAS to streamline logistics in combat scenarios. As drones become integral to medical logistics,
familiarizing soldiers with their operation is critical for ensuring that they can effectively utilize this
technology in the field.
The spirit of collaboration evident at the MAC-SOS Conference showcases the importance of partnerships across
military, academic, and industry sectors. By working together, these entities are not only addressing current
challenges in military healthcare but are also paving the way for future advancements in the field. As the
military continues to adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, initiatives like this are crucial for
ensuring that soldiers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the evolving landscape of
combat medicine.
A secondary aerial system provides real-time observation during a training drone strike as
part of the Advanced Drone Course at Fort Carson Colorado
The efforts at Keller Army Community Hospital integrate drone technology into daily military medical operations
and exemplify the forward-thinking approach necessary to enhance healthcare delivery in combat settings through
hand-on utilization in garrison. By engaging cadets from the USMA and investing in innovative solutions, KACH is
positioning itself as a leader in military medicine, ultimately enhancing solider readiness and improving
outcomes for its patients.
Authors
LTC Samuel Teague is the Chief of Primary Care at Keller Army Community Hospital. He was
previously assigned as an Executive Fellow at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California and has held a
variety of positions in CONUS as well as Korea and Germany with a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.
COL Sean J. Hipp, a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, is the Commander of Keller Army
Community Hospital at West Point and the Pediatric Subspecialties Consultant to The Army Surgeon General.
His previous leadership roles include serving as Chief Medical Officer at Brooke Army Medical Center and
Command Surgeon for Headquarters, First Army. Notably, he founded and led the military’s first Virtual
Medical Center.
MAJ Wesley D. Snow is a pharmacist and the current Chief of Pharmacy of Keller Army
Community Hospital at West Point; prior to this assignment, he completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and served as the Chief of Pharmacy at Fort Drum.
SFC Jamez White is a combat medic and the NCOIC of Primary Care at Keller Army Community
Hospital. A licensed FAA Remote Pilot, he acts as a military medical advisor to the USMA Robotics Research
Center. His previous assignments include instruction and curriculum development at the MEDCoE, and service
as a line medic on three continents.