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NOAA and K-State Salina create NOAA Corps pilot recruiting pipeline

NOAA and Kansas State University (K-State) Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus signed an agreement on Oct. 1 to collaborate on a first-of-its kind program to prepare students to serve as officers and pilots with the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps), one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers pilot NOAA’s specialized aircraft and support a variety of missions, including hurricane research, reconnaissance and surveillance, marine mammal and snow surveys, coastal mapping and emergency response. Under the agreement, NOAA and K-State Salina will develop an undergraduate program to equip students with the science, technology, engineering and math skills required to join the NOAA Corps. The new program, to be piloted at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus, will include dynamic flight training. NOAA and K-State Salina will issue a call for applications once the new program is fully developed. Meanwhile, the NOAA Corps continues to accept applications from anyone who meets the service’s basic eligibility requirements and is prepared to serve their country in uniform.