{{Short description|American drone specialist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox person |name = Brett Velicovich |image = Brett Velicovich (40804698092).jpg |caption=Brett Velicovich in [[Somalia]] in 2012 |image_size = |alma_mater = [[Duke University]]<br>([[Master of Business Administration]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/brett-velicovich|title = Brett Velicovich|website = [[The Daily Beast]]| date=August 17, 2017 }}</ref> |occupation = Drone Expert |notable_works = Drone Warrior: An Elite Soldier's Inside Account of the Hunt for America's Most Dangerous Enemies |website = {{URL|https://www.brettvelicovich.com/}} |module = {{Infobox military person |embed = yes |allegiance = {{flag|United States}} |branch = {{flag|United States Army}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/07/08/536125111/life-as-a-drone-warrior|title = Life as A 'Drone Warrior'|newspaper = NPR.org}}</ref> |battles = [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/07/08/536125111/life-as-a-drone-warrior|title = Life as A 'Drone Warrior'|newspaper = NPR.org}}</ref> }} }} '''Brett Velicovich''' is an American drone expert, former [[U.S. Army]] intelligence and special operations soldier. He is known for drone strikes against terrorist leaders and advocating for the use of drones in the protection of African big game wildlife.
==Life== Velicovich served multiple tours in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]. He was a U.S. Army special operations intelligence analyst <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/michael-bay-drone-warfare-movie-brett-velicovich-1201772649/|title=Michael Bay to Develop Biopic on Drone Warfare Fighter (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Gregg|last=Goldstein|date=May 13, 2016|publisher=Variety.com}}</ref><ref>[https://mydeardrone.com/interviews/brett-velicovich-on-counter-drone/ An Interview with Brett Velicovich on Counter-Drone]</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Brett Velicovich: Video of al-Baghdadi raid is a show of force against our enemies |url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/6099349815001/#sp=show-clips |accessdate=November 10, 2019 |publisher=Fox News |date= October 31, 2019}}</ref> and former [[Delta Force]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/control-predator-drone-brett-velicovich|title=Here's What It's Like to Control a Predator Drone|magazine=Wired|publisher=}}</ref> Due to his widespread knowledge of lethal drone technology and global travels, multiple media outlets have referred to Velicovich as the “world’s most dangerous drone expert.” <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/worlds-most-dangerous-drone-expert-1745116.amp</ref>
The story of his work in [[counter-terrorism]] operations and drone strikes against [[ISIS]], [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]], and other terrorist groups is the subject of a forthcoming major motion picture developed by Paramount and [[Michael Bay]] - an adaptation of the book on Velicovich's life story co-authored by Velicovich and Pulitzer Prize winning ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' reporter [[Christopher S. Stewart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/andy-bellin-drone-warrior-michael-bay-feature-film-1202101799/|title=Andy Bellin Comes Aboard To Adapt 'Drone Warrior' For Michael Bay|first=Anita|last=Busch|date=May 24, 2017|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Following his career in the military, Velicovich continued working in the field of drone operation by founding the African Eye Project,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greenlabel.com/brett-velicovich-drone-racing-expert-explains-his-secrets-and-upcoming-races-at-dew-tour/|title=Come Watch Brett Velicovich Race Drones At Dew Tour - Green Label|date=July 20, 2016|publisher=}}</ref> focusing on tracking big game poachers in Somalia and Kenya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40437156/this-army-vet-led-the-hunt-for-isis-now-hes-using-drones-to-save-kenyas-wildlife|title=This Army Vet Led The Hunt For ISIS—Now He's Using Drones To Save Kenya's Wildlife|work=Fast Company |date=July 6, 2017|publisher=Fastcompany.com}}</ref>
He earned his MBA from [[Duke University]], and co-founded the first American retail chain focusing entirely on drones, Expert Drones.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/brooklyn-lands-a-drone-store-1457141851|title=Brooklyn Lands a Drone Store|first=Jennifer|last=Weiss|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=5 March 2016|publisher=wsj.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2015/12/drone_retailer_to_open_at_nj_mall_to_feed_growing.html|title=Drone retailer to open at N.J. mall to feed growing market|date=December 10, 2015|publisher=nj.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/07/13/us-tops-with-military-drones-but-china-owns-consumer-market-says-former-special-ops-officer-turned-ceo.html|title=US tops with military drones, but China owns consumer market, says former special ops analyst turned CEO|website=CNBC|date=July 13, 2017}}</ref>
In May 2017, multiple news agencies reported that Velicovich had traveled into [[Mogadishu]], Somalia to train the Somali government on using off-the-shelf consumer drones to find members of al-shabaab and uncover roadside bombs. The drones had been donated to the government by his team to help combat the widespread terrorist attacks plaguing the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-somalia-security-drones-idUSKBN18M145|title=Exclusive: Somali police get first drones to combat Islamist bombings|date=May 26, 2017|publisher=|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-drones-could-be-a-game-changer-for-somalias-fight-against-al-shabab/|title=How drones could be game-changer in Somalia's fight against al-Shabab|access-date=2018-01-11|language=en}}</ref>
In June 2017, [[CBS News]] reported that Velicovich had spent years hunting the notorious leader of ISIS, [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]], with drones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-warrior-author-brett-velicovich-hunting-terrorists/|title="Drone Warrior" Brett Velicovich on the "incredible responsibility" of hunting terrorists|website=[[CBS News]]|date=June 27, 2017 }}</ref> At one point, Velicovich's team had missed al-Baghdadi by mere minutes after tracking him to a house and conducting a raid to capture one of his closest operatives in [[Baghdad]]. Velicovich's team had tracked and killed the original leader of ISIS, [[Abu Omar al-Baghdadi]] and the leader of AQI, [[Abu Ayyub al-Masri]] in a secret operation north of Tikrit, Iraq only months before in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2017/06/28/drone-soldier-missed-killing-notorious-isis-chief-by-mere-minutes/|title=Drone soldier missed killing notorious ISIS chief by mere minutes|first=Larry|last=Getlen|date=June 29, 2017|publisher=nypost.com}}</ref> That same month, Velicovich told [[GQ]] Magazine that it was only a matter of time before al-Baghdadi would be found by American forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/drone-warfare-interview-brett-velicovich|title=What Drone Warfare Does to a Soldier's Brain|first=Jay|last=Willis|date=June 29, 2017|publisher=GQ.com}}</ref>
In August 2017, [[Fox News]] reported that Velicovich went to [[Houston, Texas]] to assist victims in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]] and provide drone support to search and rescue operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5559507140001/?#sp=show-clips|title=Professional drone pilots join Harvey rescue effort|date=September 12, 2017 |accessdate=November 4, 2022}}</ref> His drones would be used to provide instant damage assessments and help quickly locate victims of the flooding for first responders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5557516168001/?#sp=show-clips|title=How drone technology is changing hurricane outcomes|date=September 12, 2017 |accessdate=November 5, 2022}}</ref> Following Harvey, the same news outlet claimed he moved into the path of [[Hurricane Irma]] one week later in Florida with a team of volunteer medical personnel to help prepare for the disaster prior to the storm hitting the U.S. mainland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5570331434001/?#sp=show-clips|title=Drones used to assist hurricane and flooding victims|date=September 12, 2017 |accessdate=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
In July 2018, host Chris Stemp called Velicovich the "world's most dangerous drone expert."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radiopublic.com/smart-people-podcast-Wo00M6/s1!deed3|title=The World's Most Dangerous Drone Expert|accessdate=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
Following talk of plans by the [[United States Department of the Interior]] to reverse a ban blocking the importation of [[elephant]] trophies back into the U.S. from [[Zimbabwe]] and [[Zambia]], Velicovich spoke out publicly against the idea, stating that the significant decline in elephant populations over the last decade was the result of poaching activities and corrupt African government actions. Velicovich further stated that by reversing the ban, it would increase the demand for the killing of elephants for their ivory, destroying years of global [[wildlife conservation]] efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/elephant-trophies-seriously-this-is-what-washington-is-spending-its-time-on|title=Elephant trophies? Seriously? This is what Washington is spending its time on?|website=FOX News|date=November 20, 2017}}</ref>
As early as March 2022, Velicovich appeared to have crossed the Ukrainian border to extract trapped American citizens and other Westerners stranded during the initial [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]]. Further reports also allege Velicovich may have been quietly funneling life saving drone technology to the front lines of Ukraine to help Ukrainian soldiers fight Russian troops.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2022/04/12/1091694698/project-dynamo-extracts-americans-trapped-in-ukraine|title=Meet the rescue team extracting people trapped in Kyiv suburbs under siege |website=[[NPR]]|date=April 12, 2022}}</ref>
In July 2025, U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] took to social media to personally praise Velicovich regarding his knowledge of drone technology and publicly thanking him, stating: "Thank you also to Brett Velicovich, who really knows his “stuff.” <ref>https://www.ladbible.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-pete-hegseth-secretary-war-225575-20250712</ref><ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-hegseth-secretary-of-war-drone-fox-news-b2787494.html</ref>
In March, 2026, [[The Wall Street Journal]] reported that [[Eric Trump]] and Donald Trump Jr. invested in and acquired a substantial stake in U.S. defense firm Powerus,<ref>https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-sons-back-new-drone-company-targeting-pentagon-sales-2f74abca?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink</ref> a drone company founded by Brett Velicovich and former U.S. military veterans. The story indicated Velicovich and other founders of Powerus intended to take the company public on the stock market via reverse merger.<ref>https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/03/12/new-drone-maker-partly-owned-trump-sons-hopes-win-pentagon-contracts.html</ref><ref>https://apnews.com/article/drones-eric-donald-trump-powerus-iran-defense-089bff3892f921a10ef4ec785308e716</ref>
==Media== Velicovich is a frequent guest on major national news outlets, including [[CNN]] and [[Fox News]], where he provides commentary on national security related issues. He has regularly appeared on shows including ''[[Hannity]]'', ''[[Gutfeld!|Gutfeld]]'', ''[[Fox and Friends]]'', ''[[CNN Newsroom]]'', and ''[[CBS This Morning]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brett Velicovich|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7973605/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=How drones could save lives in Somalia's battle against al-Shabab|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-drones-could-save-lives-in-somalias-battle-against-al-shabab/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-12-16}}</ref>
Velicovich became an official Fox News paid contributor in early 2022, focused on providing national security related commentary to the news network.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20230221_040000_Gutfeld |website=Archive.org |title=Gutfeld! : FOXNEWSW : February 20, 2023 8:00pm-9:00pm PST |date=February 21, 2023 }}</ref>
In January 2020, [[CNN]] interviewed Velicovich about the assassination of Iranian General [[Qasem Soleimani]] and Velicovich's previous work tracking him, to which Velicovich replied that the intelligence community had been watching Soleimani for decades move around as if he was "untouchable" and "he had it coming to him."<ref>{{Citation|title=Qasem Soleimani believed he was untouchable, says former Army Special Ops - CNN Video|date=January 3, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/01/03/former-army-special-ops-velicovich-soleimani-baldwin-newsroom-vpx.cnn|access-date=2020-12-16}}</ref>
Following the death of ISIS leader [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]] in October 2019, ''[[Fox & Friends]]'' hosts interviewed Velicovich, where he discussed the significance of al-Baghdadi's death and the critical intelligence information behind the scenes that went into the special operations raid in Syria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brett Velicovich: Video of al-Baghdadi raid is a show of force against our enemies|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/6099349815001/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Fox News|date=October 31, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Velicovich played a critical role in the death of al-Baghdadi's predecessor in 2010, the original leader of the Islamic State, [[Abu Omar al-Baghdadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Getlen|first=Larry|date=2017-06-29|title=Drone soldier missed killing notorious ISIS chief by mere minutes|url=https://nypost.com/2017/06/28/drone-soldier-missed-killing-notorious-isis-chief-by-mere-minutes/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
Velicovich has been quoted on various news outlets warning about the dangers of ISIS modifying consumer drones to conduct improvised attacks in the United States. On Fox News [[Fox & Friends]], he noted that ISIS fighters overseas have been adapting easily accessible consumer drone technology to conduct attacks against security forces in Iraq and have returned home from the battlefield with the knowledge to conduct similar strikes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5498627396001/?#sp=show-clips|title=How can US prevent ISIS from using drones for attacks?|date=2017-07-09|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5537357369001/?playlist_id=930909787001#sp=show-clips|title=New device zaps rogue drones out of the sky|date=2017-08-10|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-11}}</ref>
Following the U.S. strike on Iran, Velicovich appeared on multiple news outlets discussing the significance of new U.S. military one way attack drones utilized in battle and modeled after Iranian Shahid variants. <ref>https://www.power.us/media</ref>
==Philanthropy==
Velicovich has been affiliated with several nonprofits related to humanitarian and anti-poaching causes. He currently is supporting the Humanitarian Aid and Rescue Project, Mara Elephant Project, Bancroft Global Development and Global Outreach Doctors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brettvelicovich.com/charity-1 |title=Brett Velicovich Charities |access-date=2024-02-28}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Brett Velicovich}} * {{Wikiquote-inline|Brett Velicovich}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Velicovich, Brett}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:United States Army soldiers]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]] [[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Fox News people]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]