Marines Begin Training With New Skydio Recon Drone at Camp Foster in Okinawa

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment completed their first official flight of the new Skydio small unmanned aircraft system earlier this month at Camp Foster in Okinawa, marking an early step in a broader modernization push inside 3rd Marine Division, as the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service reported.

The lightweight aircraft gives Marines a faster way to collect information, move with more confidence, and react to changing conditions across the first island chain, where mobility and speed directly shape operational success.

First Lieutenant James Devito, an intelligence officer with the unit, said small unmanned systems have shifted from being niche gadgets to becoming central tools for planning and executing missions in the Pacific.

The Marine Corps continues to expand its use of small drones across the Indo Pacific, and many leaders now see them as essential parts of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission set.

The new system fits directly into that transformation, adding a level of autonomy and precision that older platforms simply could not offer. What began as a small capability now influences how units prepare for modern conflict, especially in remote or contested environments where information gaps can quickly become vulnerabilities.

Training for Real-World Scenarios

Marines in the training course said the new system challenged them from day one, forcing them to solve configuration issues, adjust to unfamiliar software, and learn the aircraft’s automated flight features through repetition.

Instead of slowing progress, those challenges helped operators build confidence, leading instructors to emphasize that each hurdle ultimately strengthens the program. The Skydio platform is designed for rapid deployment, and the training reflects that concept by pushing Marines to adapt under pressure while understanding the limits and strengths of the aircraft.

Beyond reconnaissance, the platform plays an important role in the targeting process. Devito said the ability to find, fix, track, and assess targets directly supports fires units, giving them a flexible tool for local security, battlefield awareness, and movement support. Integrating the system into intelligence collection plans helps Marines create a much clearer picture of the battlespace, even when operating far from established support nodes.

Lasting Impact From a Short Flight

The first flight at Camp Foster lasted only minutes, but Marines viewed it as a milestone that will influence training and operations for years to come. As small unmanned systems grow more capable and more common across the Marine Corps, units like 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment will continue shaping how these tools are used in real missions.

The early lessons learned in Okinawa will help fuel a larger shift across the force, one centered on faster decisionmaking, more resilient information gathering, and smarter use of autonomous systems.

DroneXL’s Take

The Marines are moving quickly to integrate Skydio systems into frontline missions, and the training in Okinawa shows how committed the service is to building a modern, distributed intelligence network.

Still, it is hard to ignore the broader context that the Skydio X2D feels like an expensive replacement for the DJI enterprise platforms that have already proven themselves worldwide. Systems like the DJI Matrice series have carried out complex public safety, industrial, and reconnaissance missions for years, and they continue to offer strong performance at a fraction of the cost.

The push toward NDAA compliant alternatives is understandable, but the price gap is significant, and many operators quietly acknowledge that they are being asked to adapt to a tool that costs more while offering only incremental advantages. The Marine Corps will continue refining its tactics, but the larger debate about capability, cost, and policy is far from over.

Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Kendrick Jackson, Skydio.