Senators Cramer, Rosen Introduce Legislation to Establish a Combat Identifier for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crews

WASHINGTON - While Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) crews fly combat missions across the United States, they have no identifier in their records for combat operations performed due to not being physically located in a combat zone. If crew members decide to change career fields within the military or leave the service altogether, they often face barriers when accessing the appropriate mental health care, despite the long-lasting mental health impacts of these operations.

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), introduced the bipartisan Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act to establish a status identifier for RPA crews who conduct combat operations to help increase their access to services and give them proper recognition.

Specifically, the legislation would instruct the U.S. Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to identify opportunities to provide more support services to, and greater recognition of, combat accomplishments of RPA crews.

"Now more than ever, military missions use airborne ISR platforms to meet our national security objectives," said Senator Cramer. "Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) crews, including Fargo's Happy Hooligans and the airmen from the 319th at Grand Forks, are an integral part of the nation's Joint Force. The CARE for RPA Crews Act recognizes the accomplishments of RPA crews and identifies the appropriate resources to keep our airmen fit for duty."

"Remotely Piloted Aircraft crew like those at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada perform combat operations but have no status identifier in their records for having done so, making it challenging to receive the support and care they deserve once they transition," said Senator Rosen. "That's why I'm introducing this bipartisan bill to establish a status identifier for these crews in order to help improve the recognition they've earned and to ensure their future care. I'll always fight to support Nevada's servicemembers."

Click here for bill text.