[95] Martin Discusses Predator Pilot Experiences Sept. 28 at MTSU

Today’s date: Sept. 26, 2011

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Aerospace contact: Kyle Snyder, 615-669-8288 (cell) or ksnyder@mtsu.edu


Martin discusses Predator pilot experiences Sept. 28 at MTSU

MURFREESBORO — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matt J. Martin will be discussing his experiences as a Predator pilot in an open session Wednesday, Sept. 28, starting at 7:30 p.m. in MTSU Business Aerospace Building’s State Farm Lecture Hall (Room S102), Kyle Snyder, director of the University’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems program, said.

The event is open to the public and campus community. Students in the aerospace and military science departments are expected to be among those in attendance.

“Lt. Col. Martin’s first-person accounts of his combat time with Predator and its associated technologies for surveillance and targeting have been published in Predator: The Remote Control Air War over Afghanistan,” Snyder said.

Snyder added that Martin will be talking about his training as a new UAS pilot, the capabilities of Predator, the first-person perspective of a UAS pilot flying combat scenarios in Afghanistan from a control station in Las Vegas and a wide range of other topics.

“It should be an enlightening talk,” Snyder said.

Martin is a career U.S. Air Force officer and Predator pilot. During his years in the Predator program, he flew hundreds of missions and supervised thousands more.

Martin, who is originally from Indiana, now lives with his wife, Trish, in the Southwestern U.S.

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Media welcomed.

Media note: Lt. Col. Matt J. Martin will be arriving at MTSU at 2 p.m. Sept. 28. He will be available during the afternoon for interviews and also on Thursday, Sept. 29, during the morning hours. If interested, contact Randy Weiler in News and Media Relations at 615-898-5616 or email Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu and we will arrange.

CUTLINE INFORMATION

Career U.S. Air Force officer and Predator pilot Lt. Col. Matt J. Martin is shown with a USAF plane nicknamed “Ruby.”
(Submitted photo)



Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. MTSU is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special events and activities throughout the 2011-12 academic year.

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