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Beyond 'No Drone Zone' warnings: AMC enabling bases to defend against drones

Unmanned Aircraft Systems restricted use signs can be seen at most Department of Defense installations, as their use is prohibited by law. To prioritize the defense of Air Mobility Command Airmen and installations against small UAS, a working group was recently stood up to standardize the approach for countering small UAS across the command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Lackey)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems restricted use signs can be seen at most Department of Defense installations, as their use is prohibited by law. To prioritize the defense of Air Mobility Command Airmen and installations against small UAS, a working group was recently stood up to standardize the approach for countering small UAS across the command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Lackey)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – As personal-use drones become ubiquitous, Air Mobility Command is taking steps to protect Airmen and installations from unauthorized drone use.

As at all Department of Defense installations, drone use at AMC bases is prohibited by law and violators may be subject to arrest and legal action. 

Military installations are “no drone zones” unlike in real estate where drones with high-resolution cameras provide 30-somethings with stunning imagery of would-be dream homes, or off-base at a playground where kids put their high-speed drones through the paces rivaled only by the Air Force Thunderbirds. 

Force protection and installation security are always a top priority for AMC.

That’s why each AMC installation has implemented systems to take action against such intrusive drones and why the headquarters AMC staff has created a counter-drone working group and will soon hire a counter-drone “czar.” 

“Protecting an AMC installation includes not only the Airmen and families living on base and the base workforce, but also the aircraft and airspace Mobility Airmen and our mission partners leverage to complete our missions,” said Col. Brad Brainard, Chief of Security Forces, Headquarters AMC Directorate of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection. “As drones have emerged as a threat, we’re employing systems and adjusting our tactics, techniques and procedures to be able to defend against and defeat this threat.”  

All AMC installations have Security Forces-operated systems and equipment in place to detect, track, defend against and, if necessary, defeat drones, or unmanned aircraft systems.

Be warned. Flying a drone on or near a military base may result in something more costly than a destroyed or confiscated drone:  criminal charges.

“Unauthorized drones may be disabled, damaged, destroyed, seized or confiscated, and unauthorized UAS operators may be subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and loss of operator privileges,” said Col. Paul Dawson, 618th Air Operations Center legal advisor. “Base residents should understand the installation policies and surrounding airspace before flying their drones on or near a military installation.  There may be other applicable FAA regulations that prohibit flying drones in the area. Claiming ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse for violating the law.”

To prioritize the defense of Airmen and installations against small UAS, in 2019, Gen. Maryanne Miller, the AMC Commander, stood up a Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Working Group. This group served to standardize the approach for countering small UAS across AMC’s 10 major installations and 100 locations worldwide. 

Chaired by Brainard, the cross-functional C-sUAS Working Group leverages the AMC’s staff expertise to plan, program for and integrate C-sUAS efforts across the command.

While effective C-sUAS capabilities are in place at AMC installations today, it’s vital to sustain those capabilities into the future as the threat evolves.

“We’re determined to maintain recent gains made in protecting our installations from this threat,” Brainard said. “We’re taking a long view as evidenced by programming for funding and hiring for an Air Force civilian to oversee counter-small UAS efforts and maintain program continuity.”

The Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Specialist will serve as AMC’s senior technical expert and program manager for C-sUAS efforts. The position’s duties include advising AMC senior leaders, coordinating with higher headquarters, writing policy and programming for funds.

Another equally important duty for the C-sUAS Program Specialist will be consulting with and visiting installations to ensure they have the most up-to-date technology, training, tactics, techniques and procedures that provide the defense necessary to carry out AMC’s mission.

“From day one of our working group’s efforts to field a counter-small UAS capability, we’ve focused on supporting the installations because that’s where the mission is accomplished,” said Brainard. “Hiring for this position is yet another way the staff is enabling the bases to actively defend against the small UAS threat and protect the Air Force mission.”

All UAS activities within the United States must follow appropriate FAA regulations and guidelines. UAS activity outside FAA rules and guidelines is considered an unauthorized activity. Please consult the FAA website (https://www.faa.gov/uas/) for guidance on proper use.