ASOG Team

The ASOG team, operating out of Vienna, Austria, and worldwide, exists to improve and enhance the Airborne Sensor Operator profession. Whether it is through educating the public about the profession's importance, preparing resources and opportunities to enhance operators' skills, or supporting the industries that ASOs rely on - it is our job to develop the strength and vitality of the ASO community.

President - Patrick Ryan: Patrick brings over 30 years of experience helping government & business aviation organizations plan & execute manned & unmanned C4ISR and Aerial Surveying and mapping operations. Most recently, he spearheaded the start-up of the Airborne Sensor Operators Group (ASOG), writes & edits articles for AVBuyer Magazine, and provides branding and operational consulting support to small and medium-sized aviation & aerospace firms, especially in the Aerial Work aviation sector.

Before becoming a managing director, freelance writer, and consultant, he was Director of European, Middle East, and Africa Operations at R4 Incorporated. Plus, he led aerial C4ISR operations as a Program Manager in Africa for EG&G, a leading government services company.

Other rewarding professional experiences have included being Chief of the US European Command Joint Reconnaissance Center (JRC) for Europe & Africa, standup of the first RQ-4 GLOBAL HAWK squadron as Deputy Commander and deployed Commander, and leading numerous Joint and coalition planning & remote-sensing flight crews for contingency operations around the world.

Besides obtaining numerous flight ratings, Patrick received his BS from California State University Fresno and an MA from the University of Oklahoma.

Secretary General – Benjamin Kabelik: Benjamin brings over 15 years of experience helping businesses with airborne remote sensing (Web)-GIS and IT support, including international tender procurement, contract management, and business development. Most recently, he started Kabelik GmbH to support all airborne remote sensing stakeholders or any client looking for the right solution, i.e., from managers, operators, and analysis to end-users.

Before founding Kabelik GmbH, Benjamin was the Head of Data Solutions and CIO at Airborne Technologies GmbH and Technical Project Manager at Frequentis AG.

Other rewarding professional experiences have included being the lead Airborne Sensor Operator and Date Processer for Diamond Airborne Sensing and a founding member of Airborne Technologies GmbH. Besides obtaining numerous professional certifications, Benjamin graduated from FH Wiener Neustadt in 2007 with a degree in Geoinformation and a Master of IT Management degree in 2015.

Treasurer - Tanja Wimmer-Ryan: Tanja brings over 20 years of experience helping aviation, event, and luxury travel businesses with project management and accounting support, including front office management, customer support, and budget accounting.

Most recently, Tanja works at GoldEck GmbH, a private execute jet company in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Additionally, she provides financial consulting support to CON.ECT GmbH a leading IT event management firm in Vienna, Austria.

Other rewarding professional experiences have included being a Financial Project Controller and Site HR Administrator for L3 Communications, USAF aero club manager, and a founding Airborne Sensor Operator Group association member. Besides obtaining numerous professional certifications, Tanja graduated from MODUL University in Vienna, Austria, with a degree in Tourism, Hotel Management, & Operations and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

George DeCock - For 30+ years, George has been involved in the engineering and marketing of LoS/BLoS Coms, EW, Radar, EO/IR, and ISR systems. He presently enjoys work and life as the SCAR-pod and Sensors/Mission Specialist for Airborne Technologies, concentrating on new ISR technologies and new applications of existing ones. George focuses on developing new techniques, sensors, and customer requirements worldwide, specifically emphasizing any technology that will further enhance the capabilities of the Airborne LINX/SCAR-pod and ultimately reduce crew workload and increase mission efficiency.

He firmly believes in applying R-COTS and open-architecture software for all airborne surveillance systems. Furthermore, he is convinced that the future belongs to using small, multi-purpose aircraft and pods equipped with integrated multi-role sensors. He is working on several programs optimizing payloads for manned and unmanned surveillance missions and will share his experience and views on new ISR capabilities for airborne platforms. And as a true Ambassador, he is always ready to talk about ASOG and sign up new members at any airshow or conference…

Sam Barnes | Sam brings a unique range of industry experience and commercial UAV operations, attending the ASOG training courses more recently and gaining insights into the future of ISR. With remote sensing experience that dates back to 2015, Sam helped get the UK's Drone Safe Register started while running his own commercial UAV operations for the Lowland Search and Rescue and pioneering architectural, wildlife, and environmental mapping techniques using automated and manual flights. After completing a Master's in Drone Technology, he worked with large sensor arrays for environmental impact assessments and accrued 2500 flight hours.

His passion is next-generation equipment, particularly the science behind it, with a particular interest in system integration and its user relationship. More recently, he's been steering back towards UAV and RPAS work, focusing on the Future of Flight program in the UK.

Darren Daigle | Darran has over 25+ years of experience in aviation and aerial remote-sensing operations. His skills and expertise span 22 years in the Canadian Forces, five years as an IAI Heron UAV pilot/Instructor, three years as a DA-42 Mission Specialist operating MX-15 HDI in support of ALE and forest fire mapping operations.

Andrea Masini – Andrea is an accomplished professional with a background in academic research. He joined the Flyby Group 18 years ago when it was a small enterprise with only five employees. Since then, Flyby has become a multinational holding company, with FlySight being one of its controlled companies. Andrea has played a crucial role in the growth of FlySight, nurturing innovative ideas, fostering a highly skilled and motivated team of engineers and data scientists, and driving the technical and operational aspects of the business as CEO.

He thrives on delving into the ever-evolving needs and pioneering challenges within the Defence & Security sector. His passion lies in meeting customer problems head-on and solving them with cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art solutions. Additionally, he is dedicated to delivering exceptional outcomes that are fully customizable, rapidly adapting to new learnings and requirements.

Derrick Brydges: Derrick brings over 30+ years of experience in aviation and aerial powerline inspection operations. His skills and expertise span Sensor Operator, instructor, and Linesman career fields with an extensive flight log. Most recently, Derrick worked as a Sensor Operator with Linewise Aerial Solutions Inc. Before working at Linewise. Derrick worked for HydroOne.

Other noteworthy professional experience includes supporting the development of the "AirStair" application. Additionally, Derrick contributed from a Lineman's perspective, which involved writing the general and individual task procedures, developing/ rating the bonding devices, and the fall arrest process.

Darrin Guilbeau: Darrin has over 13 years of experience in aviation, sensor operations, and training. His skills and expertise span manned and unmanned aircraft Sensor Operations and aerial Surveying operations. Along with this, Darrin has over 3,000 flight hours as a pilot and ASO. Most recently, he has been a Pilot with Leidos. Before working at Leidos, Darrin was an ASO, Pilot, and Senior Manager for Sol Aerial Surveys,  LLC KEYW Corporation and Silicon Advantage, Inc.

Other noteworthy professional experience includes volunteering for the Civil Air Patrol and holding critical aircrew, instructor, and leadership positions. Currently, Darrin is an Aircrew & Aerospace Education Officer, inspiring and instilling an appreciation for and an understanding of aerospace as it relates to science, technology, engineering, and math for CAP members and the general public. As a Public Affairs Officer, he enhanced public awareness and built brand credibility for CAP and its members, including media outreach, press releases, support, and leadership for special events.

Jackson Beebe: Jackson is a geospatial analyst and sUAS pilot with four years of experience and works for Dewberry in Tampa, Florida. He is a graduate student and received his Bachelor's in geography from Florida State University and a certificate in emergency management and homeland security.

Jackson was introduced to the geospatial industry when he started working as an ASO in 2017. He's acquired over 1000 flight hours from CONUS and OCONUS deployments and has experience with flight planning, LiDAR calibration, photogrammetry, and producing derivative products from airborne data.

Siegfried Albrecht: Siegfried brings over 30 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of EW/ECM equipment. His skills and expertise span Sophisticated Jammer Systems, EW/ECM Equipment and Systems, and High-Security Ciphering Equipment.

Since 1980, he founded and is the CEO of ALBRECHT Telecommunication GmbH, located near Zug, Switzerland. Before starting his company, Siegfried obtained an Elektronic-Ingenieur degree and served in the German Air Force (ATC and Reconnaissance) on the German Eastern border.

Bernhard Eckhardt: Bernhard brings over ten years of experience, education, and certification in professional language instruction. His skills and expertise span specialized industry language training and technical document translations. Additionally, he's been a passionate aviation enthusiast regarding all aspects of the language and human factors associated with the aviation sector. 

Most recently, he has been the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eckhardt Linguistics e.U. As an avid entrepreneur, Bernhard's business efforts expand across real estate and luxury services in Europe and North America. Other noteworthy professional skills include speaking and teaching numerous languages, including German, English, French, Spanish, Croatian, and Hungarian, and fundamental knowledge of Czech, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, and Mandarin Chinese.

Darryl Woodruff: Darryl brings over 25 years of experience in aviation, C4ISR sensor operations and training. His skills and expertise span across Sensor Operator & Special Operations Loadmaster Instructor with over 4,000 flight hours. Additionally, he's been a crew member on multi-place military and contractor-operated aircraft (P-3C, HC-130P, C-26 Metroliner). Most recently, he has been a Sensor Operator with Leidos supporting US Army C4ISR requirements. Before working at Leidos, Darryl was a Sensor Operator and Analyst for VeriDass, Consolidated Resource Imaging LLC, and Aeroptic LLC. Other noteworthy professional experience includes 23 honorable years in the USN and USAF, holding many critical aircrew, instructor, and leadership positions.

His experiences and knowledge include Instructor P-3C-UIII, Instructor HC-130P, Surface/Under surface Sensor Operator, SASP, MX-15HDi, Nighthawk, Persistent Passive surveillance, AN/AAS-44V/C FLIR, AN/AQS-122 Sonar, Electronic Support Measure Operator, PRC-117, Night Vision Devices, and Biometrics and Biometrics Systems.

Gary Micklethwaite: Gary joined the Canadian Army in 1978 right out of high school and spent six years in the infantry. Realizing that the Army is a young man's sport, he moved laterally to the Air Force as an Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AES Op) and spent the next 30 years flying around in 5 different airframes. He has over 5000 flying hours operating all of the electronic sensors in the RCAF inventory. Along the way, he instructed at three schools and completed the obligatory staff tours. While employed in a staff position, his love for unmanned vehicles came out. He was the A3 Ops sensor operator at 1 Canadian Air Division HQ, where he completed a tour in Afghanistan as the unit Sgt-Maj and a payload operator for the Heron UAV detachment.

After retiring from the RCAF in 2014, he took up the basic retirement jobs of golfer and helper around the house but soon became bored. He was hired as the head of operators at Qinetiq Target Systems Canada on their CAF UAS program. He was employed as an Air Vehicle Operator and a Payload Operator on the Skeldar V-200 rotary-wing UAV.

Roderic Hutton: Roderic is a Marine Corps veteran, commercial pilot, and aspiring ISR professional with five years of military experience in psychological operations, electronic warfare, humanitarian operations, and communications. His most recent military assignment was as an Information Operations (IO.) Officer for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, where he served on joint operational planning teams as the representative responsible for integrating information-related capabilities into the overall battle plan. He has worked alongside IO counterparts from the armed forces of South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines in partnership-building military exercises and contingency operation planning. Before his experience as an IO officer, Roderic served as a Platoon Commander in a communications unit, where he managed teams responsible for providing communications to expeditionary command posts and tactical employment of radio, satellite, and IP-based networks for theater-level exercises.

Upon leaving active duty in 2019, Roderic moved to Denver to attend an FAA Part 61 flight school. He is earning his flight instructor certification while pursuing education and professional experience in airborne sensors.

Wayne Dahlke: Wayne brings over 30 years of experience in test and evaluation, special operations, aviation, and training development. His skills and expertise span the spectrum from commanding airborne missions to hunt and kill terrorists as an AC-130W Fire Control Officer, testing and evaluating new sensors, systems, and software, and developing and leading teams of subject matter experts to deliver focused training on how to be a better aircrew member. Most recently, he is a Test Engineer for the US Army, working in the world of digital Fire Control and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance.

Before re-entering the test and evaluation arena, Wayne was Leidos' Training Development Team Lead for the Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) program, a modular sensor platform based on the DHC-8 platform, for the Army. ARL-E combines long loiter time with state-of-the-art sensor packages to enable the field commanders' access to the most current enemy information. Other noteworthy professional experiences include the standup up of two different mission aircraft, the MC-130W, and the AC-130W, for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and developing the baseline Airborne Sensor Operator training package for the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS).

Gareth Davies: Gareth brings over 30 years of experience in space and aerospace government and business operations. His skills and expertise span commanding satellites, marketing airborne systems (datalinks, sensors & simulators), and leading industry non-profit trade organizations. Most recently, he is the founder and CEO of G2Consulting, focusing on consultancy and marketing services in EO/IR operations. Before becoming a senior consultant, Gareth was the Chairman of the Police Aviation Conference (PAvCon) and consulted for numerous leading aerospace firms like L-3 Wescam, AGS, and BMS regarding product management of overt and covert sensors, simulators, and datalinks for civil, police and defense customers.

Other noteworthy professional experiences include Space Operations Manager for the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) and the German Space Operations Centre (DLR). Gareth's significant accomplishments as a Space Operations Manager include standup of the initial INMARSAT communication system, recruitment and training of the ROSAT satellite pre and post-launch team, and successfully commanding 17 launch and orbital missions. According to Gareth, he was one of the youngest members to join the European satellite program. He worked his way through all operational aspects of mission ops in the ESOC, offline systems at 22, Main Control Room and Satellite Control at 26, and then onto satellites at 30, finishing as an ops manager at the DLR.