ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Hey, everyone, let's talk about drones or Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems – the ubiquitous airborne buzzing machines that are taking over the skies.
While drones can be cool gadgets for hobbyists and valuable tools for the commercial operator, their unauthorized use on Arnold Air Force Base poses a serious threat to our people, our facilities and the mission we're all dedicated to.
Some of you might be thinking, "I have a drone, and I fly it responsibly." And that's great! But understand this - drone use on Arnold AFB is strictly prohibited unless you have written authorization from the base commander. Period.
There are only two locations where the commander has authorized use of unmanned systems: The Coffee County Airfoiler location on West Wattendorf Highway and a small portion of Woods Reservoir near the Gossick Leadership Center for floatplane operations. To use these Airfoiler locations, you must be an active member of the club and be fully licensed by the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
What are the consequences of flying drones illegally on Arnold AFB? Unauthorized drone use can result in a confiscation and potential destruction of your Small Unmanned Aircraft System, or sUAS; criminal charges at the local, state and federal level; forfeiture of licenses; and other ramifications. It's just not worth the risk.
Why the strict policy? Because unauthorized drones can be used for nefarious purposes, from intelligence collection to lethal payload delivery.
What can you do? First and foremost, be vigilant. We need everyone to be our eyes and ears in the sky. When you're walking around the base, outside enjoying your lunch break or just exiting a building, take a quick scan of the airspace above. Be aware of anything unusual. And here's a critical detail many overlook - sUAS threats may not always be flying. Drones may "perch and stare," meaning they land on rooftops or elevated positions for extended reconnaissance operations. Make it a habit to scan roof edges, overhangs and other high points for anything that looks out of place. A drone parked on a rooftop could be gathering intel, relaying communications links or waiting for an opportune time to strike. We need to be aware of that possibility.
What happens if you spot an unauthorized drone? We need you to immediately report the sighting to the Base Defense Operations Center, or BDOC. The more information you can provide, the better. If it’s safe to do so, take pictures or capture video footage of the drone.
Try to report the following at a minimum:
- Location: Where did you see the drone? From what direction did it approach from, and depart to?
- Time: When did you see the drone?
- Description: What did the drone look like? (Size, color, shape, any identifying marks, fixed-wing, rotary-wing, multi-copter).
- Direction of Travel: Which way was it flying and what was it doing?
- Payloads: Did you notice anything suspended from or attached to the drone?
To make the reporting process easier, we've placed sUAS Reporting and Recognition, or R2, Program placards around the base. These placards serve as a visual reminder of the program and provide essential reporting information to help you quickly and accurately report drone sightings.
You might be thinking, “What’s in it for me?” This is where the commander’s sUAS R2 Program comes in. The base commander rewards active-duty personnel and Department of War civilians that report illegal drone activity to the BDOC.
Ultimately, the security of Arnold AFB is everyone’s responsibility. By being vigilant, reporting suspicious activity and understanding the rules, we can all play a role in keeping our base safe and secure. If you have any questions related to sUAS usage on the installation, please don't hesitate to contact Arnold AFB Security Forces.
Let’s work together to keep our eyes on the sky and ensure that Arnold AFB remains a secure and protected environment. Thanks for your cooperation!