McCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kans. -- McConnell Air Force base hosted a briefing and demonstration with local and federal agencies to speak about the importance and benefits of Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) immersion.
Wichita, Derby and Haysville police departments, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office were in attendance along with McConnell’s Office of Special Investigations, Legal department and 184th Wing. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and Federal Aviation Administration also attended as McConnell emphasized the importance of information integration and immersion within their Wichita Airspace Regional Defense (WARD) program pertaining to C-sUAS, which was started by McConnell and led by the 22nd Security Forces Squadron.
The WARD program is focused on showcasing counteractive capabilities, local integration and strategies within the Wichita area. Mutual capabilities and joint working groups are paramount to the C-sUAS mission and the shared airspace threats within the community.
“Protecting McConnell Air Force Base isn’t a mission we do in isolation. It requires a unified effort with our community partners,” said Tech Sgt. Isaiah Bellefeuille, 22nd Security Forces Squadron, C-sUAS noncommissioned officer in charge. “As drone technology rapidly evolves, this immersion is a vital step in aligning our tactics. We aren’t just securing military assets, we’re ensuring the safety of the shared airspace over the entire Wichita area.”
This forum was the first of an ongoing collaborative effort between McConnell Air Force Base and surrounding law enforcement partners.