Former United States Navy Operations Officer and DCMA Test Pilot to Lead America’s Most Turnkey UAS Range
The City of Pendleton is excited to announce the appointment of Jesse Steele as the new UAS Range Manager for the Pendleton UAS Range (PUR), America’s most turnkey and business-friendly UAS range. Steele joins the Pendleton team with over a decade of experience in flight operations, mission planning, and test program management, including leadership roles with the U.S. Department of War and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). His career includes directing large-scale air operations aboard the USS Lewis B. Puller, managing over 600 flight test missions for rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft, and ensuring operational compliance and safety across high-tempo test environments.
“Jesse brings an exceptional combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and operational discipline to the Pendleton UAS Range,” said Steve Chrisman, Airport & Economic Development Director for the City of Pendleton. “His background as a test pilot and operations officer aligns perfectly with our mission of providing fast, flexible, and safe operating environments for commercial and defense customers.”
As Range Manager, Steele will oversee daily operations, customer coordination, airspace management, and flight safety, while advancing PUR’s long-term strategy of increasing innovation and economic growth within Oregon’s UAS and aerospace sector. He will also serve as PUR’s primary liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and commercial and defense customers operating in Pendleton’s 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace.
“Pendleton’s reputation for being America’s most turnkey UAS range is well-earned,” said Jesse Steele, UAS Range Manager. “I’m excited to hit the ground running and join a team that’s known for finding a way to yes, cutting the red tape, and helping customers move from concept to flight faster and more affordably than anywhere else in the country.”
Steele’s appointment marks a continued period of growth for the Pendleton UAS Range. With recent investments in new infrastructure, including the new 18,000 square foot Flex III Hangar scheduled for completion in January 2026, PUR continues to expand it’s capabilities and capacity for both defense and commercial companies.
- Oct. 28, 2025