TOPEKA, Kan. -- The 184th Wing Point Defense Battle Lab (PDBL) conducted a Point Defense Assessment (PDA) at the 190th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Forbes Field, Kan., in mid-July, marking a significant milestone in the Department of the Air Force’s effort to strengthen installation defense against unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats.
As commercially available drones become increasingly capable and accessible, defending Air Force installations requires more than modern equipment — it demands validated tactics, trained defenders, and proven response procedures under realistic operational conditions.
These specialized assessments give leaders a chance to stress-test their installation’s overall security posture against a thinking adversary.
“A Point Defense Assessment places an installation in a realistic threat environment so we can evaluate how people, processes, and technology perform together under operational conditions,” said Capt. Roman Belden, Point Defense Assessment Director. “Our role is to replicate the threat, identify vulnerabilities before an adversary does, validate what is working well, and provide commanders with objective, actionable recommendations that improve their defensive posture.”
During the multi-day assessment, PDBL personnel replicated realistic adversary UAS tactics while embedding with members of the 190th ARW to evaluate counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities, command and control, defensive procedures, sensor integration, and installation response operations.
Following the assessment, the team provided operational observations and recommendations designed to strengthen tactics, techniques, procedures, and future C-UAS capability development.
“The partnership with the 184th Wing’s Point Defense Battle Lab gave us valuable insight into the evolving unmanned aircraft threat while allowing both wings to train, grow and develop together for the future fight. Most importantly, it showcased the greatest strength of both our wings, which is our Airmen,” said Col. Marjie Durkes, 190th ARW commander. “They embraced the opportunity to train under realistic conditions, adapted to complex scenarios, and demonstrated the professionalism that ensures we remain ready to support Kansas and prepare together for the fight.”
For defenders at the 190th ARW, the assessment provided an opportunity to validate years of preparation against a realistic opposing force.
“External assessments provide a critical opportunity to stress-test our operations and pinpoint vital areas for improvement,” said Maj. Breny Escalante, 190th Security Forces Squadron commander. “Over the past several years, our team has built a robust C-UAS foundation by establishing rules of engagement, drafting operating instructions, and executing rigorous internal training. Being assessed by the PDBL was an invaluable milestone.”
Escalante emphasized that these evaluations are critical to localizing and mitigating active operational risks.
“These assessments are not just administrative checkpoints; they are operational imperatives essential to continuous improvement, defender readiness, and our ultimate ability to neutralize hostile drone threats, protect critical assets and personnel, and guarantee mission assurance,” she said.
The 184th Wing PDBL serves as ACC’s designated “aggress and assess” organization under the Point Defense Task Force in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-401 (JIATF-401).
Every PDA contributes to a growing body of operational data that refines tactics, informs capability development, and accelerates the Air Force’s adaptation to the rapidly evolving UAS threat. By replicating evolving adversary UAS tactics across the force, the PDBL not only evaluates installation readiness but also generates objective observations that strengthen future assessments and improve installation defense across the Air Force.
“Every installation presents a different problem set,” Belden said. “Mission requirements, installation layouts, terrain, available technology, and local procedures all shape how an installation defends against UAS threats. Our assessments are tailored to those unique conditions, so commanders receive recommendations that directly improve their installation’s defensive readiness.”
The Point Defense Battle Lab is scheduled to conduct additional Point Defense Assessments at multiple Air Force installations during fiscal year 2027, continuing ACC’s effort to strengthen installation point defense capabilities and ensure the Air Force remains prepared to counter one of the fastest-evolving threats in the modern operating environment.