The Government of Anguilla, through the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), has officially launched an intensive three-month Anguilla Drone Pilot Training Programme, scheduled to run from January to March, 2026. The initiative is funded under the UK Overseas Territories Disaster Management (OTPD) Fund and delivered by Marine Spatial Information Solutions Inc. (MarSIS), led by regional drone and geospatial specialist Dr. Kim Baldwin.
The programme will train a multi-agency cohort of 10 participants representing Immigration Department, Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF), Anguilla Fire & Rescue Services (AFRS), Department of Natural Resources – Fisheries & Maritime Resources Unit, Department of Natural Resources – Environment Unit, Anguilla National Trust (ANT).
Over the three-month period, participants will receive intense, blended training combining virtual coursework with in-person group sessions and field-based drone operations. The training includes: Commercial UAS Operations & Planning, Hands-on Drone Flying, Mapping & Monitoring Boot Camp (16–20 February 2026), Applied fieldwork, mentoring, and real-world mapping assignments, and Development of national UAS policies, SOPs, and operational protocols.
The goal of the programme is to build a fully trained, certified, and operational national drone team capable of supporting: Disaster preparedness and response, Environmental monitoring and coastal change assessments, Marine and terrestrial inspections, National security and surveillance operations, Evidence-based decision-making through geospatial data.
By the end of March 2026, the programme will produce certified commercial drone pilots, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and deliver a standardized framework for safe, sustainable UAS operations across Anguilla.
This initiative represents a major step toward modernizing Anguilla’s emergency response, environmental management, and operational capabilities using advanced drone technology.
