In a low-profile facility just east of Denver, a small, specialized team within the Colorado Army National Guard is playing an outsized role in reshaping how the U.S. military trains for and confronts drone warfare.
Known as the Drone Warfare Cell (DWC), the group operates under the Multi-Domain Special Operations Cell at 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Since its formation in 2022, the DWC has evolved from a grassroots effort into a force multiplier, addressing both the threats posed by unmanned systems and their growing potential on the modern battlefield.
What began as a mission to address shortfalls in counter-UAS capabilities has expanded into a broad mandate: preparing soldiers to integrate small UAS into operations across air, land and sea. That includes not only training but also real-time support in theaters of operation.
“Drone warfare is arguably one of the modalities that is leading the evolution of the battlespace,” said the director of the Multi-Domain Special Operations Cell. “The technological advances that are happening in real time, just on this one topic, are nearly impossible to keep up with if there isn’t a group of dedicated warfighters that make this their sole mission.”
Unlike traditional trainers, DWC personnel embed with units, participate in exercises, and tailor support to the unique requirements of each mission. The cell also runs red-team exercises, employing adversary drone tactics to probe vulnerabilities, and contributes to emerging doctrine and future training programs.
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One of those efforts includes shaping the Special Forces Robotics Warrant Officer course, which will institutionalize some of the DWC’s expertise in the broader U.S. Army training pipeline.
According to the DWC’s non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC), collaboration is a cornerstone of their approach:
“We are excited to see the shift in focus because the only way we are going to be able to prepare the entire formation for the next fight is through collaboration between special operations and conventional forces. It shows that across the board, people recognize this is a fight everyone has to be ready for.”
Over the last two and a half years, the cell has trained more than 400 service members and worked across multiple deployments, including advising foreign partner forces. Demand for their expertise has steadily grown, extending beyond special operations units to include interest from conventional forces preparing for deployments.
In addition to tactical support, the DWC is also contributing to broader modernization efforts by working with industry and academic partners to identify and implement cutting-edge technologies for unmanned systems.
“The work they have done has directly increased the lethality and survivability of U.S. Soldiers,” said the MDSOC director.
The individuals behind the DWC are intentionally kept anonymous, reflecting the sensitive nature of their work. However, their influence continues to spread through operational deployments, training programs and national-level policy conversations.
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Post Image – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. with the Colorado National Guard uses handheld counter-unmanned aerial system equipment to neutralize a simulated drone. (Post Image Credit: Senior Airman Melissa Escobar-Pereira)
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