Mando: An Alaskan Marine Turned Ukrainian Drone Operator
“Even If the War Ended, I’d Stay”
Mando, an American from Alaska and a former U.S. Marine, had been thinking about coming to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. With five years of military service and a deployment to Afghanistan behind him, he believed he had skills that could be useful in a war unlike any he had experienced before.
When we met him, he was serving in a drone platoon, learning a new kind of warfare alongside Ukrainian and foreign soldiers — and says he intends to remain in Ukraine even after the war ends.
His Military Background
Mando spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in light armored reconnaissance and gaining his first deployment experience in Afghanistan:
“I served in the United States Marine Corps for five years, where I worked in light armored reconnaissance with 1st LAR. I had both military and deployment experience, including a deployment to Afghanistan, although I didn't see too much action there.”
Between Duty and Family
His decision to come to Ukraine was not easy for his family to accept. Mando had been talking about coming since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, but when the idea became a reality, his parents naturally worried about the risks:
“My father was the first person I told. My mother was the last to know.
My father wasn't too happy about it, but ultimately he supported me because he knew it was something I truly wanted to do.
I had been talking about coming here since the war started. I had skills and expertise that I felt could be useful here, and eventually my father and I came to an agreement: as long as I came back okay, he would accept my decision.
My mother reacted a little differently. She wasn't too happy about it either, but ultimately, she knew I was already here. She understood that being here was something I was passionate about, and she didn't want to go against that.”
What It Takes to Come to Ukraine
For Mando, joining the fight requires more than military experience. Physical fitness, mental resilience, and genuine commitment are essential:
“The first thing you need to come here with is good physical shape. They will test you a lot. You also need a strong mentality.
This isn't something you can come to as a side quest or simply as something to do. You've got to have a lot of passion. You've got to have the heart to do it and the mind to do it. Otherwise, when you find yourself at the front, you're going to have a completely different reality hit you.
For people coming here, I would recommend bringing the necessities you need — a toothbrush, toothpaste, and things like that. Most of the things you'll need, you'll eventually buy yourself, and it's not too expensive here.
What you can't buy is a good mentality or good physical shape. That's something you have to build yourself and bring with you.”
Many Languages, One Purpose
One of the advantages of being a part of an international unit in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mando says, is its diversity. Soldiers from different countries and linguistic backgrounds learn to work together while also becoming closer to Ukrainian troops:
“The main benefit is that you'll find everybody here. Germans, French, Spanish speakers, English speakers — they're all here.
So, if you have issues with English, you'll find someone who can help translate for you. It makes communication easier.
But on top of that, you create a lot of bonds with people.
At the same time, it gives you a chance to learn Ukrainian. You work alongside a lot of brave Ukrainian soldiers, and that's one of the benefits for me.”
Joining the Drone Unit
After arriving in Ukraine, the Alaskan eventually joined a drone platoon, where he began working with FPV drones and a much heavier unmanned system:
“I got into the drone unit. I had a chance to work with FPV drones, and we also work with a new weapon system that we call the Heavy Shot.
It's a quadcopter that's able to carry 25 kilograms of explosives.”
Staying in Ukraine
What began as a decision to come and fight has become something Mando sees as a long-term commitment — regardless of how the war ends:
“My plans for the future right now are centered around the drone platoon. My whole plan is to stay here indefinitely, but I want to continue being a soldier for Ukraine.
Even if the war ended in Ukraine, I'll stay here.
It's gorgeous here. It's nice.
And I found myself a lady.”
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov
Interviewed by: Yevhen Maliyenko
Video: Oleksandr Los
Editing: Oleksandr Bekker
