MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- 
Multiple DoD contractors train Airmen assigned to the 134th Air Control Squadron, Kansas Air National Guard, on the assembly, functionality, and operation procedures of the Tactical Operations Center – Light, Air Base Air Defense System – Missile Defense (ABADS-MD) at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 23-26, 2024. The ABADS-MD is an innovative, compact mobile command and control system designed to defend airbases against modern aerial threats including drones and missiles.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt McCoy)
The 134th Air Control Squadron (ACS) received the first Tactical Operations Center-Light (TOC-L) Air Base Air Defense System - Missile Defense (ABADS - MD) at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 23, 2024. This advanced system allows the unit to experiment with new tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and shape the future of airbase defense and command and control operations.
Revolutionizing Air Base Defense
The ABADS - MD is a relocatable, compact command and control system designed to defend airbases against modern aerial threats, including drones and missiles. Its integration into the 134th ACS marks a significant advancement in protecting key airfield infrastructure and supporting agile combat employment (ACE) across the U.S. Air Force.
“The TOC-L ABADS is a game-changer,” said Lt. Col. Naomi Leonard, commander of the 134th ACS. “It enables us to innovate, adapt to new threats, and refine our approach to airbase defense in a multi-domain fight.”
An Airman assigned to the 134th Air Control Squadron, Kansas Air National Guard, demonstrates the operational agility of the Tactical Operations Center – Light, Air Base Air Defense Systems – Missile Defense (ABADS-MD), while training in degraded and contested environmental conditions at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 24, 2024. The ABADS-MD is a compact mobile command and control system that defends airbases from modern aerial threats including drones and missiles. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt McCoy)
Experimentation and Joint Integration
The 134th ACS is collaborating closely with the 46th Test Squadron and multiple contractors to develop and test new TTPs. The unit plans to utilize the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Kansas, as a primary testing ground for integrating ABADS - MD with other defense systems. This partnership will help shape how the system is used in real-world operations and ensure it meets the dynamic needs of the battlefield.
Additionally, the unit is working with key partners like the 552nd Air Control Wing and the 55th Wing to enhance integration with the broader Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) network. These collaborations are essential for creating a cohesive defense strategy that links sensors, shooters, and command elements across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Key Capabilities of TOC-L ABAD
- Enhanced Situational Awareness: Integrates sensor data to track aerial threats in real time.
- Interoperability with Joint Forces: Seamlessly communicates with U.S. military branches and allied forces.
- Scalable and Mobile: Designed for quick deployment across multiple airbase locations.
- Automated Threat Response: Coordinates defense systems to counter detected threats autonomously.
- Control Ground and Air Engagement Effects
The system’s multi-generational leap in technology has inspired airmen across the unit.
“I’m excited to see how ABADS - MD will enable better battle management decisions,” said Tech. Sgt. Tyler Corby, weapons director, 134th ACS. “This technology brings us closer to the fight, allowing us to make faster, more informed decisions and integrate more effectively with our joint partners.”
Multiple DoD contractors traveled from across the United States to train Airmen assigned to the 134th Air Control Squadron, Kansas Air National Guard, on the assembly, functionality, and operation procedures of the Tactical Operations Center – Light, Air Base Air Defense System – Missile Defense (ABADS-MD) at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 23-26, 2024. The ABADS-MD is an innovative, compact mobile command and control system designed to defend airbases against modern aerial threats including drones and missiles. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt McCoy)
Shaping Future Operations
The ABADS - MD system’s deployment aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s ACE concept, which focuses on dispersing forces to unpredictable locations to maintain operational flexibility. By defending both hub and spoke airfields, the 134th ACS is exploring innovative ways to integrate airbase defense into the JADC2 framework, enhancing the resilience and agility of U.S. air operations.
The unit’s work with the ABADS - MD will directly impact how the Air Force approaches airbase defense and JADC2 integration, ensuring that critical assets remain protected in contested environments. Through its pioneering efforts, the 134th ACS is helping to shape the future of U.S. Air Force operations, keeping airpower agile and responsive to emerging threats.