15 July 2025
Asked about working with the Army’s tactical drone operations unit, 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery Bombardier April Horan gives a matter-of-fact response.
“You get out what you put in,” Bombardier Horan said.
“If you’re driven and you’re motivated, that comes back to you. It’s all about the effort you invest.”
The 132nd Battery mission commander has already invested 10 years in Defence and said she planned to stay the course.
Her career began at the regiment in 2016, followed by lengthy postings with the Federation Guard in Canberra, and at Kapooka as a recruit instructor.
Earlier this year, Bombardier Horan, who is from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, returned to Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks and a much-changed 20th Regiment.
The RQ-7 Shadow uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) that she trained on and flew has been replaced by the Integrator tactical uncrewed aerial system (TUAS).
'This is an important emerging technology and I can utilise these skills both in Defence and in the outside world if I ever chose to leave.'
The unit is still transitioning to the new aircraft that is used to gather intelligence, provide surveillance, find targets and conduct reconnaissance.
Bombardier Horan said because the regiment had introduced a new system it was doing new things all the time.
“How we’re operating now, we’re not static, we don’t stay in the same location. We’re using dispersed flying positions, so you get to work on your field craft as well as your technical skills around flying,” she said.
“That’s the most enjoyable part of the job for me. Going out in small teams, living and surviving in the field whilst doing your job.”
Bombardier Horan, who recently worked with US Marines while deployed to Townsville for Exercise North Queensland Warfighter, said drone operator would become a sought-after position within Defence for the expertise and training it provided.
“This is an important emerging technology and I can utilise these skills both in Defence and in the outside world if I ever chose to leave,” she said.
Defence is recruiting drone operators (Employment Category Number 250).
