Our Instructors
John P. Yeast
John Yeast is an esteemed public safety veteran with a career spanning over three decades of unwavering dedication. Today, he serves as the UAS Commander for the St. Charles County Police Department, leading their regional, multi-disciplined UAS team. Additionally, he is attached as the dedicated tactical drone operator for St. Charles County Regional SWAT. John is the Director of Technology and Chief UAS Pilot at the St. Charles County Ambulance District. He initiated and cultivated their inaugural UAS team there, supporting the Region Urban Search & Rescue team and the Region Homeland Security HAZMAT Response Team.
John is widely revered as an authority in the realm of UAS operations. He initiated and spearheaded the establishment of the Eastern Missouri Public Safety UAS Working Group, convening over 30 local, county, state, and federal agencies to address shared challenges, strengthen programs, and host annual large-scale training events. John actively contributes to the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA), serving on the Leadership Steering Committee. Furthermore, John’s pioneering spirit extends to education and training. He developed and delivered the country’s first Missouri POST-certified Tactical Interior UAS curriculum accredited through the Missouri Eastern Police Academy.
With his extensive background in public safety, innovative role in UAS operations, and unwavering commitment to training and collaboration, John remains at the forefront of utilizing advanced technologies for the betterment of his community and the public safety field. Accumulating thousands of UAS flight hours throughout his career, John has responded to many critical incidents, while his steadfast dedication lies in fostering collaboration among team managers and elevating UAS pilots to the highest proficiency levels in their craft.
Travis Rozeboom
Travis has over 16 years of sworn law enforcement experience and has achieved several sUAS-specific accomplishments, including serving as a Steering Committee Member for the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) and as a Field Application Specialist for Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT). He is also the Lead sUAS Instructor for the Papillion Police Department and a Certified NIST sUAS Proctor for APSA and LEDA.
Travis has completed both remote and residential Drone Assessment and Response Tactics (DART) courses through New Mexico Tech’s Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center. He introduced Valmont Industries to sUAS technology in 2017 and remains as an on-call pilot and advisory source for projects, R&D, and mapping and modeling expertise.
Travis has prepared over 150 students for their Part 107 test and implemented sUAS technology into crash and crime scene documentation for Sarpy (NE) area agencies. He received the Life Saving Award by using a drone in 2020 and has real-world experience utilizing cUAS technology for detecting sUAS at large-scale events. Travis has also worked with Meta, Google, Amazon, Hormel Foods, NFL, and other private industries on sUAS-related concerns. Throughout his career, Travis has assisted multiple agencies in setting up or refining their own sUAS programs through consulting and hosting joint training opportunities.
Matt Young
Matt Young joined the Kearney Police Department in 2013, starting his career in road patrol before becoming an FTO in 2015. He served in the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) as a Sniper from 2015 to 2019 and became an Accident Reconstructionist & FARO laser scanner operator in 2016. Transitioning to the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) in 2020 as a major crimes investigator,
Matt previously served as a Police Motor officer from 2017 to 2020. He is also a SCALES (South Central Area Law Enforcement Services) member, supporting surrounding agencies in investigations involving homicides and officer-involved shootings. Additionally,
Matt is a skilled aviator, having been a Private Pilot since June 2008 and certified under Part 107 since February 2020. He is a founding member of the KPD UAS program, utilizing drone technology for enhanced police operations. Matt is also dedicated to education, having instructed courses on investigations using cell phone data and mapping, served as a guest instructor at NLETC for accident investigations, and been a guest speaker at UNK for Criminal Justice students and the citizen’s academy.
Dustin Lang
Dustin Lang is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in law enforcement and SWAT operations. Since joining the St. Charles County SWAT team in 2012, Dustin has served in various roles, including Operator and Team Leader, and currently as the Assistant Team Commander. He is responsible for gear dispersal, training, and documentation and has attended over 1000 career SWAT callouts and over 100 BOMB callouts.
In addition to his SWAT duties, Dustin plays a key role in the department’s operations and training. He handles data entry for SWAT year-end reports, prepares and enters paperwork for PT tests and weapon qualifications, and is the lead instructor for Night Vision Goggles, ATPIAL weapon system, and Flashbangs. Dustin also assists in equipment dispersal for regional SWAT schools and is an instructor during SWAT school. He has been involved in explosive breaching, bomb disposal unit callouts, and fugitive unit operations, receiving SECRET clearance from the FBI/DHS. Dustin is a lead instructor in MACTAC and active shooter training and assists with building entry and vehicle assault techniques.
Dustin is also instrumental in the department’s drone program, helping start the program and serving as one of the lead drone pilots for SWAT and Bomb operations. He has been a licensed UAS pilot since 2017 and is currently the Assistant UAS Commander for the County UAS regional, multi-discipline team
Matt Nugent
Matt Nugent has been flying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) since 2017 in an official government capacity. As a full-time Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) in the Pacific Northwest, Matt has been flying UAS’ nearly daily in both day and night operations for Law Enforcement purposes, as well as in his privately owned business. Matt obtained his FAA Part 107 Commercial UAS Pilot License back in 2019 and has maintained an active status through the FAA’s recurrent training.
Matt’s missions have included search and rescue, 3D mapping, accident reconstruction, crime scene investigation, interior structure clearing and security overwatch for the regional SWAT team in his service area.
Matt is dedicated to safe and compliant operations in every mission he completes. His perfect safety record is a representation of his thoroughness and attention to detail in the preplanning and execution of his missions.
Tyler Friend
I am a fourth generation police officer in a Major metropolitan police department with 10+ years experience. I have been afforded the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles from uniformed patrol to investigating and suppressing high risk offenders within a Gang Suppression Squad- to supervising detectives responsible for investigating crimes against children, and currently supervising our department’s Air Support Unit (helicopter and UAS). I was fortunate to be able to couple an innate passion for aviation while also following the footsteps of my family in serving my community. Law enforcement aviation, both manned and unmanned, are incredibly complementary of each other and incorporating the two into one cohesive, efficient unit is something I am most proud of. I am a graduate of the FBI Instructor Development course and I am a state-certified instructor in multiple disciplines; I look forward to collaborating with other locales to create a safer operating environment for all aircraft.
Zachary Byers
Zach is a law enforcement veteran whose career is more than 23 years in the making. Zach has been teaching adult learners in topics varying from Firearms and Tactics to Legal Issues for over 18 years as an instructor at both the State and Local level. As a diversified Law Enforcement Professional, Zach’s portfolio includes time as a Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, HIDTA Team Member, Fraternal Order of Police Local Lodge President, and seven years as a Patrol Sergeant. Zach still maintains his commissioned Officer status part-time as a member of a small-town Nebraska Police Department.
Zach began working for a large infrastructure company based out of Omaha, NE, three years ago. As the Lead UAS Instructor, Zach teaches various UAS-related courses: Part 107 Prep, Basic Flight Procedures and Regulations, Mulit-Level Infrastructure Inspection, and Advanced LIDAR Acquisition Methods. Over 200 students have successfully completed his hands-on inspection classes, with many more completing field training on large-scale projects. Mission planning, equipment logistics, and research and development flights are how Zach spends his work hours when not instructing. Accumulating many flight hours on various UAS platforms has led to a professional relationship with pilots across North America. Zach is often assisting them with data acquisition solutions and troubleshooting.