JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
The 87th Security Forces Squadron on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, live by the motto “Defenders of the Force”. In an age where technology is a prevalent entity around the world, the Defenders of the Force must adapt to new threats that may arise.
On Jan. 31, the 87th SFS unveiled the new Dronebuster technology for Joint Base MDL that has been created to deter the increasingly popular drones, which have been seen flying over the installation for over the last year.
For Lt. Col. Patrick Bass, 87th SFS commander, defending the base and getting his defenders the training to operate the Dronebuster is his top priority.
“The training we conducted today was to get our defenders acclimated to the new Dronebuster technology,” said Bass. “We are using Dronebusters to combat the evolving threat against installations across the Department of Defense.”
With drones becoming a popular hobby for aviation and photography enthusiasts over the last few years, some individuals have flown into Joint Base MDL airspace which is not allowed. With Dronebuster, SFS Airmen are able to take control of the unauthorized drones to get them out of the area, or take them down if needed.
“We had this technology at my last command and it was very effective,” said Bass. “This is a portable technology where we are able to defend the base from the increasingly growing drone problem.”
With Security Forces unable to operate drones on Joint Base MDL, they called in the local Civil Air Patrol wing as they are the only ones able to operate drones on the installation. Working hand in hand, both CAP and SFS were able to test out the new Dronebuster, while strengthening their relationship along the way.
“We worked very, very hard to get to where we are right now,” said Col. Steve Tracy, CAP New Jersey director of small unmanned aerial systems. “Just like how it was when CAP was created in 1941, our members helped out the military during the war. I see our relationship just like that today. Whatever we can do to support our military partners with whatever they need, we will do it.”
While it took over a year to get the new technology into effect for Joint Base MDL, Bass had one statement for his defenders when using Dronebuster to counter the drone threat.
“Defend the base.”