Holloman Air Force Base is devoting more and more time to training pilots in the use of drones.
The number of students learning how to operate remotely piloted aircraft at the Alamogordo base has multiplied.
Holloman officials say more than 700 people are enrolled in the training program this fiscal year.
That is a significant increase from 136 graduates when the program first began in 2009.
Lt. Col. Calvin Powell, a training squadron commander, says the base still cannot meet the demand from the drones while maintaining enough air crew.
The use of drones in combat missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere continue to draw criticisim.
Human rights groups say U.S.-operated drones led to civilians getting killed in two recent attacks in Yemen.
___
Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.