OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- As the popularity of small, unmanned aircraft systems or drones, continues to grow, Offutt Air Force Base remains a no drone zone.
The use of drones is very prevalent today and many are operating them as a hobby. However, the 55th Security Forces Squadron is using drones to keep Offutt safe and aid in various missions across the base.
“We can and do launch our drones for any sort of contingency situation you can imagine,” said Tech. Sgt. Lee Borytsky, 55th SFS NCO in-charge of innovations and technologies. “We can search for a person or vehicle, and we can give leaders an invaluable point of view to make the best decisions possible. Beyond base defense, we fly to assess storm damage much faster and safer than traditional methods.”
The SFS drones are unparalleled to others on the market and they are used in various scenarios.
“Our drones have various types of cameras for multiple environments allowing us to see what we need to see regardless of the situation,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Ferguson, 55th SFS commander. “The speed, range, ease of use, and technology are superior to anything available commercially.”
These capabilities are making the SFS mission easier and safer for their members and this is why their mission is so unique.
“We can look at a roof, aircraft, antenna, or anything else harder to get to without requiring a person to be at risk to gain the same perspective,” Borytsky said. “We can do these things while taking pictures and video for analysis in real time or save it for later. Bottom line, our drone capability makes OAFB safer and more secure, and everyone benefits.”
This is the second drone program Offutt has launched. The first and last program officially stood up in January 2022. The program was only active till October 2022 because the drones they were using were no longer approved for use and the program was grounded.
“Our drone program isn’t the first on OAFB, but it’s the best so far,” Ferguson said. “Our first drone program wasn’t well utilized nor maintained and quickly deteriorated. This new program has already far surpassed what we’ve done in the past and it is only going to expand. We are growing the fleet, gaining flight hours through regular real-world operations, and we are training more operators.”
Currently, the SFS is the only group with the equipment, training and authority to fly on, above and around Offutt, and the SFS is using it to their advantage.
“Having an “eye in the sky” gives a unique advantage to responses and makes everyone and everything on base safer and more secure,” Borytsky said.
The 55th SFS wants to remind everyone, Offutt is still a no-drone zone, where any hobby, recreational or personal sUAS use is strictly prohibited across all Offutt property, to include the main base, off-base military family housing areas, Capehart Chapel, Ehrling Bergquist Clinic and the Base Lake. All Team Offutt members who see a drone flying on or near base should report the sighting to the Emergency Communications Center at (402) 294-4245.