US to form specialised ‘anti-drone force’

The United States Air Force is creating a new military specialty dedicated to defending its air bases against missile and drone attacks. This strategic move follows recent conflicts that exposed vulnerabilities at American military installations in the Middle East and other regions. Senior Air Force commanders concluded after an internal review of the Iran war that the increasing threat from inexpensive yet effective drones and precision-guided missiles necessitates specialized personnel for base protection.

According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the Air Force also intends to establish dedicated air base defense units at select installations. These units will consolidate personnel from various military occupations. Their primary focus will be comprehensive training to detect, track, and defeat incoming drones and missiles. U.S. officials expressed alarm following Ukraine’s 2025 ‘Operation Spiderweb,’ which utilized remotely piloted drones.