During training in late December, personnel at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, could see a drone flying about 500 feet overhead patrolling the north side of the base.
“Our adversaries can use these systems for surveillance and reconnaissance,” said Staff Sgt. Jarrett Sanders, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-sUAS) flight non-commissioned officer in charge. “Depending on the weight, they can use it as a type of explosive delivery system onto base.”
These instances are why C-sUAS training has become extremely critical. Being able to deter the enemy’s ability to gain information and stop them before entering the base is crucial. Training consisted of tracking and disabling an aerial vehicle that could pose a threat.
Sanders continued by stating that ground-based deterrents are less effective when aerial systems are in the air. This is the purpose behind Al Dhafra AB using numerous C-sUAS safeguards and multiple offices, including the 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Control, the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal units play a role in preventing threats from UAS.
“Everybody is a sensor,” Sanders says. “If you see something, definitely report it to us. This is a base-wide security need. We are all needed to play our part.” (Central Command News Article on C-UAS Training)
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