Sebastián Medina
Centreville,VA
Summary
Red Team Unmanned Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME), Team Lead, and GFR-approved Group 3 Instructor Operator / Standardization Operator (IO/SO) with extensive experience supporting Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), DHS, and interagency mission requirements across USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, USINDOPACOM, and USNORTHCOM. Leads multidisciplinary teams in the planning and execution of Red Air, adversary replication, counter-UxS, test and evaluation, and operator training missions across land, air, and maritime domains. Responsible for conducting Group 3 UAS ground and flight instruction, administering Proficiency Flight Evaluations (PFEs), evaluating operator competency, and enforcing platform-specific training and standardization requirements. Combines deep technical expertise in unmanned systems, RF technologies, aircraft operations, and command-and-control integration with proven success coordinating customers, stakeholders, and operational teams in dynamic and expeditionary mission environments.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
UAS Pilot / Red Air Team Lead
Darkblade Systems
Aberdeen , MD
04.2024 - Current
- Selected to serve as acting DEVCOM/C5ISR Air Force CENTCOM lead, coordinating deployed UAS operations, personnel, equipment, and mission support requirements while serving as the primary interface between operational teams and customer stakeholders across the USCENTCOM AOR.
- G3 Instructor Operator / Standardization Operator (IO/SO) – Served as a GFR-approved IO/SO responsible for training, evaluating, and standardizing Group 3 UAS operators. Conduct ground and flight instruction covering aircraft systems, limitations, emergency procedures, mission operations, and platform-specific requirements. Administer supervised Proficiency Flight Evaluations (PFEs), assess operator competency and procedural compliance, and support formal qualification and currency restoration documentation.
- Lead Red Air adversary UAS operations to identify vulnerabilities in customer defensive systems, delivering actionable threat insights and validating capability improvements across joint training and test events.
- Translate real-world threat intelligence and deployment AO requirements into threat-representative UAS builds, configurations, and flight profiles, enabling realistic adversary simulation.
- Deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and multiple Geographic Combatant Commands (USINDOPACOM, USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, USNORTHCOM), providing Red Team and counter-UAS operational support and instruction to U.S., NATO, and partner forces.
- Pilot multi-rotor, rotary-wing, fixed-wing propeller, and turbine-powered UAS (Group 1–3) to replicate adversary TTPs and conduct threat-representative test and evaluation events.
- Lead integration, certification, and operational employment of turbine-powered, threat-representative UAS, serving as technical authority for propulsion operations, launch and recovery considerations, system safety, and mission readiness.
- Support Special Operations and sensitive mission partners by tailoring adversary UAS capabilities, employment concepts, and training scenarios to meet unique operational requirements.
- Represent advanced UAS technologies and adversary simulation capabilities to international and coalition partners during combined exercises, facilitating technical exchange, interoperability, and shared understanding of emerging threat systems.
- Define UAS platform requirements and oversee end-to-end build and preparation processes, including fabrication, soldering, RF and command-and-control configuration, firmware/software integration, and pre-deployment validation.
- Conduct system-level troubleshooting across propulsion, avionics, autonomy, and RF subsystems to resolve integration and performance issues under time-constrained operational conditions.
- Coordinate with DoD leadership and DEVCOM C5ISR stakeholders to integrate advanced UAS capabilities into multi-domain test events, adversary simulation exercises, and customer-facing demonstrations.
- Deliver concise operational and technical briefings to senior civilian and military leadership (field-grade through two-star level), clearly communicating mission risks, vulnerabilities, and recommended mitigations.
- Lead rapid prototyping and advanced fabrication efforts, including additive manufacturing (3D printing), to accelerate development cycles and improve operational adaptability.
- Train and mentor team members on Red Team methodologies, adversary simulation best practices, and emerging UAS technologies to sustain high operational and technical readiness.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (15W) /Signal Support Specialist (25U)
US Army
Fort Barfoot, VA
01.2016 - Current
- Accumulated 400+ mission flight hours during active operations, supporting critical objectives in coordination with U.S. Military units, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and state-level Department of Public Safety (DPS) partners.
- Planned and delivered detailed mission and flight briefings to 10–15-member aircrews, incorporating operational flight plans, Operational Weather Squadron (OWS) products, airspace coordination, safety protocols, and mission limitations.
- Served as a subject matter expert (SME) on UAS and counter-UAS tactics, volunteering to brief interagency partners, including CBP, on operational capabilities and threat considerations.
- Conducted air reconnaissance missions focused on target detection and identification, operating electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensor payloads to support intelligence collection and situational awareness.
- Executed comprehensive pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight procedures, ensuring aircraft readiness, airworthiness, and compliance with maintenance and safety standards.
- Established and operated ground control stations, performed launcher pre-operational checks, and managed Tactical Air Landing System (TALS) and Universal Ground Data Terminal (UGDT) connectivity, contributing to 2,400+ incident-free UAS mission hours.
- Designed, configured, and maintained tactical signal support systems, enabling secure, uninterrupted communications with Air Traffic Control assets operating over 120 miles from the area of operations.
- Maintained accountability of sensitive equipment and cryptographic material, coordinating directly with Battalion S6 personnel to ensure compliance with security and inventory control requirements.
- Supported battalion-level operations by developing and executing contingency communications plans, ensuring continuous command and control during mission execution.
IT Support Lead and Communications Coordinator
Bylight//Peraton
Washington, DC, District Of Columbia
10.2019 - 03.2024
- Led service desk operations in support of the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Technology (DT) under the CAEIO program, ensuring continuity of mission-critical IT services.
- Coordinated and executed the migration of enterprise ticketing systems from Remedy to ServiceNow, overseeing process redesign, analyst training, and adoption across the organization.
- Supervised and enabled a team of 40 service desk analysts, establishing operational standards, escalation procedures, and performance expectations.
- Analyzed technical and operational requirements to develop and execute project schedules, milestones, and deliverables, improving efficiency and execution of complex IT initiatives.
- Implemented Microsoft Teams-based communication pathways to accelerate collaboration and resolution timelines for Tier 2 and Tier 3 support teams during critical operations.
- Directed new hire onboarding, training, and professional development, creating baseline SOPs, troubleshooting standards, and mentorship frameworks to improve consistency and performance.
- Conducted structured silent monitoring and performance evaluations, assessing time-to-resolution, system effectiveness, and procedural adherence; delivered actionable improvement recommendations and oversaw approved changes.
- Coordinated Department of State troubleshooting bridges supporting server maintenance, unplanned outages, and foreign post closures, including high-impact operational events.
- Evaluated service desk policies, systems, and workflows, recommending and implementing process improvements to enhance service quality, responsiveness, and operational resilience.
Sales Account Manager
X-Mode Social
Reston, VA
01.2017 - 08.2019
- Managed and grew strategic client accounts by analyzing and revising compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive, compliant programs aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.
- Orchestrated revenue-generating partnerships through data licensing and marketing agreements, collaborating with internal stakeholders to identify and close new business opportunities.
- Served as the primary liaison between clients, sales teams, and internal technical stakeholders, delivering tailored solutions addressing pricing, availability, and product capabilities.
- Monitored market conditions, competitor activity, and emerging product innovations, adapting account strategies to maintain competitiveness and drive growth.
- Collaborated directly with company executives to identify, negotiate, and secure new partnerships, expanding market presence and data opportunities.
- Managed pricing strategies, market activity, and customer quotes to protect profit margins while meeting client needs.
- Represented the organization internationally at industry events, including Mobile World Congress (Barcelona, Spain), strengthening global relationships and expanding international market exposure.
- Evaluated actual performance against projections, producing data-driven reports to inform leadership decisions and refine sales strategies.
- Cultivated long-term client relationships through consistent engagement, trust-building, and value delivery, resulting in repeat business and account expansion.
- Identified and executed upsell and cross-sell opportunities, increasing account value through additional services and offerings.
- Oversaw demand management activities, including forecasting, vendor onboarding, and requisition processes, ensuring operational efficiency and delivery alignment.
- Analyzed market trends and supply considerations to assess current and future availability, supporting proactive planning and customer commitments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT07.2027
US Army Intelligence: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Op
U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence
Fort Huachuca, AZ05.2020
US Army Communications: Signal Support Systems
U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence
Fort Gordon, GA11.2016
Skills
- Group 1–3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and turbine-powered platforms
- Military and Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) sUAS operations
- Mission planning, execution, and adversary replication
- UAS integration, logistical maintenance, and system optimization
- 3D printing / additive manufacturing for custom sUAS development
- Tactical communications and operational command-and-control (C2) support
- Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) sensor operations
- Risk mitigation, aviation safety compliance, and regulatory analysis
- Red Team and counter-UAS instruction (conventional and SOF environments)
- Critical incident and high-pressure operational response management
- Strategic operational communications coordination
- Operational and technical briefings to senior civilian and military leadership (field-grade through two-star level)
- Agile project leadership (Certified Scrum Master)
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot
- Active Secret security clearance
Qualified Flight Systems
- FLM-136 Jet
- SpectreWorks LUCAS
- Shadow RQ-7B V2
- OAG OA-2E Phoenix
- OAG OA-2PT Phoenix (Trainer)
- Penguin B
- Mugin-4
- Mugin-5 Pro
- DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise
- DJI Mavic Air 2S (with drop systems)
- DJI Mavic 3 Classic
- ANAFI USA (Parrot)
- Squid Hawk Octodrone
- Rekon7 PRO LR
- BetaFPV Meteor75
- E-flite Opterra
- E-flite Timber
- Horizon AeroScout
Accomplishments
- Virginia National Guard
Governor’s National Service Medal
Emergency Service Award - United States Army
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with “M” Device)
Army Achievement Medal
Timeline
UAS Pilot / Red Air Team Lead
Darkblade Systems
04.2024 - Current
IT Support Lead and Communications Coordinator
Bylight//Peraton
10.2019 - 03.2024
Sales Account Manager
X-Mode Social
01.2017 - 08.2019
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (15W) /Signal Support Specialist (25U)
US Army
01.2016 - Current
US Army Communications: Signal Support Systems
U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence
US Army Intelligence: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Op
U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
Western Governors University