More than 30 Air Force Reserve Defenders recently tested their ability to detect, track, and neutralise small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) threats during Exercise NEXUS FORGE at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The February 5 event saw Citizen Airmen train alongside the US Army’s 2nd Light Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, using electronic warfare tools such as the Dronebuster, DroneDefender, DroneShield, and DroneGun—navigation-frequency jamming systems designed to disrupt enemy drone control links. These tools force hostile drones to either land or return to their point of origin, preventing adversaries from gathering intelligence or launching attacks.
The training also incorporated the Titan C-UAS monitoring system, which provides real-time intelligence on drone activity by detecting sUAS quantity, distance, and speed. This layered defence approach integrates electronic countermeasures with kinetic responses and traditional base defence assets.
The event provided an opportunity to test C-UAS readiness in difficult terrain. “We’ve been stuck in the desert for so long,” said Master Sgt. Christopher Whalen, 349th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of readiness and training. Now it’s time to transition a bit. We’re looking at this thick, vast jungle—how do we see our enemies? How do we detect them inbound when there’s so much cover and concealment? Here, we’re getting an opportunity to do that.”
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Image: Master Sgt. David Rogers, 315th Security Forces Squadron fire team leader, aims a DroneDefender weapon at a small unmanned aircraft system during Exercise NEXUS FORGE Feb. 5, 2025, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (US Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi)
