U.S. AIR FORCE SECURITY DRONES

At Travis Air Force Base (AFB) in Fairfield, California, drones are taking on security duties. A collaboration between the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 60th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) and Easy Aerial, this is the first automated, drone-based monitor and perimeter security system for a U.S. Air Force installation. After two years of development, the Smart Air Force Monitoring System (SAFMS) drone and a tethered (SAFMS-T) version entered an Initial Operational Capability phase and have begun operations at Travis AFB. The systems provide autonomous scheduled and on-demand flights that transmit real-time HD and thermal data to protect airmen and assets against airborne, ground, and potentially water-based threats in all environments. “Easy Aerial’s unmanned aerial systems are a gamechanger,” said MSgt. Joshua Hicks, the unmanned aircraft system instructor for Travis AFB 60th…