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Joint Counter-Small UAS Office conducts successful counter drone-swarm demonstration
July 29, 2024 — During the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Systems Office’s (JCO) fifth C-sUAS demonstration, held at Yuma Proving Ground June 3-28, 2024, testers launched more than 40 UAS targets that converged on a defended area in each session. The tests helped the JCO evaluate the command-and-control capabilities of nine C-sUAS systems, observing how each sensed and identified different types of UAS threats... MORE

NORAD commander: Incursions by unmanned aircraft systems on southern border likely exceed 1,000 a month
March 15, 2024 — There are likely more than 1,000 incursions by unmanned aircraft systems along the U.S.-Mexico border each month, Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot said March 14... MORE

A square, plastic aircraft with a spinning rotor on each corner flies in the air with a clear blue sky behind it.

Recreational drone usage not allowed on DOD installations
July 25, 2023 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), or drones, are growing in popularity. Drones can greatly enhance functions across various commercial industries and are a fun and relatively inexpensive hobby. While drones can be a great hobby, they can also threaten Air Force operations... MORE

A Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems also known as a drone flies above the skies of Texas

How drones will transform battlefield medicine – and save lives
July 15, 2022 — “We think that drone resupply of blood and immediate-need medical products are really just around the corner,” said Dr. Adam Meledeo, a research scientist for coagulation and blood research at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Drones carrying fresh blood products to wounded troops on the front lines may be critical for military medicine in a conflict against a "near-peer" adversary.

12th Flying Training Wing safety office deploys new drone detection system
May 4, 2022 — Commonly referred to as small unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS, by the Federal Aviation Administration, these consumer-grade drones have been known to penetrate the airspace around Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and other bases throughout the Air Force, adding yet another obstacle for pilots to look out for... MORE

Remember, all JBSA installations are no-drone zones
January 5, 2022 — Recreational drone use is strictly prohibited on all Joint Base San Antonio installations, except with documented approval, generally starting at the installation commander level... MORE

JBSA remains a no-drone zone at all installations
March 11, 2021 — Joint Base San Antonio is a no-drone zone at all times at all installations. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled drones or model rockets is prohibited at all times. Many drone and unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, users may not know that they inadvertently pose a threat to military operations. ... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio is a no-drone zone at all times at all installations. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled drones or model rockets is prohibited at all times. Many drone and unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, users may not know that they inadvertently pose a threat to military operations.

Joint Base San Antonio skies a "no-drone" zone
January 9, 2020 — Personal drone operation is prohibited at all Joint Base San Antonio locations... MORE

Drone technologies have advanced to the point where they are safe and affordable to own and will likely find their way into many homes over the holidays. These systems can be a lot of fun for people of all ages and appear to be here to stay. But before you fly, there are some important things to know about operating drones, also known as small unmanned aircraft systems, or SUAS, at 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio locations.

Proliferation of drones posing risk for U.S. military, expert says
August 24, 2018 — As of January 2018, over 1 million micro drones were registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, with about 878,000 of those registered to hobbyists, said Dr. Juanita Christensen. They are proliferating in other nations as well, including areas in every combatant command where U.S. forces are stationed or operating, she added. ... MORE

There are several challenges in countering unmanned aerial systems: identifying the UAS, determining whether or not the unmanned aerial system is friend or foe, and, if foe, employing the right countermeasures.

Department of Defense cracks down on use of drones over installations
August 10, 2017 — The increased use of commercial and privately owned small unmanned aircraft systems has raised Defense Department concerns for the safety and security of its installations, its aviation and its people, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters Aug. 7... MORE

Defenders from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and a researcher from the Air Force Research Lab teamed up to bring a new program to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan July 13. To counter the challenges that unmanned aircraft systems pose on the battlefield, the team is training to pilot and use the drones, so enemy tactics can be replicated and used to train coalition forces on how to react to them.