'Final denial': Air Force leaders lean into future of drone defense

Published Aug. 27, 2026
By 2nd Lt. Daniel White
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) --

The 31st Air Task Force sharpened and refined a layered counter-small unmanned aircraft system defense capability, culminating in a kinetic “final denial” live-fire demonstration, Aug. 3-7.

The weeklong training event built on counter-sUAS initiatives first employed during the ATF’s February field exercise and increased knowledge among Airmen from Hurlburt Field and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, assigned to the 31st ATF.

“Through a crawl, walk, run approach, Airmen gained practical knowledge of a full spectrum of layered counter-sUAS capabilities,” said the 31st ATF’s force protection superintendent. “The ATF is posturing to provide tiered defense through detection, electronic warfare defeat, and physical interception of hostile drones.”

Throughout the week, Airmen trained on artificial intelligence-powered systems that detect, track, and filter aerial objects from planes and drones to birds. They also improved real-time data sharing across multiple levels of command and control from an expeditionary base defense operations center.

A contractor prepares to fly a first-person view drone during a capabilities demonstration with senior leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. The 31st Air Task Force brought together industry experts for a day of conversation and demonstrations related to drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White) — A contractor prepares to fly a first-person view drone during a capabilities demonstration with senior leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. The 31st Air Task Force brought together industry experts for a day of conversation and demonstrations related to drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White)

A cadre member gives a safety brief to Airmen assigned to the 31st Air Task Force during counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. The training enhanced the unit's ability to rapidly detect, track, and filter aerial objects in real time, ensuring early warning of potential airborne threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim) — A cadre member gives a safety brief to Airmen assigned to the 31st Air Task Force during counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. The training enhanced the unit's ability to rapidly detect, track, and filter aerial objects in real time, ensuring early warning of potential airborne threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

A cadre member shoots a drone during counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. Refining base defense capabilities ensures the 31st Air Task Force can provide layered protection for deployed units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim) — A cadre member shoots a drone during counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. Refining base defense capabilities ensures the 31st Air Task Force can provide layered protection for deployed units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

The 31st ATF hosted leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing, joining experts on drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. They explored the latest ways to protect the warfighter and counter emergent UAS threats.

“It’s inspiring to see a unit at this level proactively tackling a problem-set that is top of mind for leaders across the Air Force and the Department of War,” said Col. Clayton Schuety, 1st SOW deputy commander. “The blend of entrepreneurial foresight, AI surveillance, and human-directed targeting will no doubt create positive impacts for the warfighter. We look forward to seeing how this effort continues to mature and receiving the lessons learned which will benefit Air Commandos and the larger force.”

By teaming with top industry partners and using existing Air Force equipment, the 31st ATF trained Airmen on weapons designed to defend against hostile drones and safeguard against electromagnetic warfare threats. Airmen practiced organic reconnaissance and denial of high-speed sUAS targets mimicking hostile flight patterns.

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 31st Air Task Force explains an AI-powered system that detects, tracks, and filters aerial objects during a capabilities demonstration with senior leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. The week of training enhanced the unit's ability to provide early warning of potential airborne threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White) — An Airman assigned to the 31st Air Task Force explains an AI-powered system that detects, tracks, and filters aerial objects during a capabilities demonstration with senior leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. The week of training enhanced the unit's ability to provide early warning of potential airborne threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White)

Senior leaders from the 31st Air Task Force, the 1st Special Operations Wing, and Air Force Special Operations Command receive a briefing on emerging drone capabilities near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. The 31st ATF brought together industry experts for a day of conversation and demonstrations related to drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White) — Senior leaders from the 31st Air Task Force, the 1st Special Operations Wing, and Air Force Special Operations Command receive a briefing on emerging drone capabilities near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. The 31st ATF brought together industry experts for a day of conversation and demonstrations related to drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel White)

Airmen assigned to the 31st Air Task Force participate in counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. This training is part of the 31st ATF’s effort to refine a layered counter-sUAS capability tailored for a Unit of Action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim) — Airmen assigned to the 31st Air Task Force participate in counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 7, 2026. The training is part of the 31st ATF’s effort to refine a layered counter-sUAS capability tailored for a Unit of Action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

“The team successfully executed a capstone event that validated new tactics, techniques, and procedures across force protection and distributed communications,” said Col. Brad Dvorak, 31st ATF commander. “Our mission is to enable airpower operations, anytime, anywhere. By establishing a sUAS instructor cadre, we trained our personnel on counter-sUAS architecture and employed unique solutions for Airmen to track, jam, and kinetically defeat sUAS threats.”

The 31st ATF is a combat-ready unit of action bringing competitive advantage to meet pacing challenges. The unit, commanded by an Air Force colonel, consists of a command-and-control element and a combat air base squadron with up to 2,500 Airmen across more than 60 Air Force specialty codes. The team can provide base operating support for deployed flying units, also known as mission generation force elements, and the necessary logistics to execute Agile Combat Employment.