NOVEMBER 13, 2025 – The small unmanned aircraft systems flight, housed within the electronic warfare division of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, made history in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command by flying the first quadcopter drone in the area of responsibility, Nov. 5, 2025.
The team specializes in aerial defense through reconnaissance, target identification, and terrain observation by utilizing drones around base perimeters to better protect and defend personnel and assets.
“We help defenders see what’s coming,” said Senior Airman Tequarrie Jackson, 332nd ESFS sUAS operator. “We go out there and look for anomalies or threats to report back to security forces members so they can do what they need to do in defending freedom.”
The addition of the quadcopter allows the sUAS team to get in the air within five minutes with shorter preparation time, while other drones can take up to an hour to go through pre-flight checklists, set up, and the added stress of hand-launching.
“Everything is all pre-programmed,” said Manuel Ajoste, Consolidated Analysis Center International sUAS lead and evaluator. “Radio frequencies, pre-flights, it’s all pre-programmed, so we can get them in the sky as soon as possible. That way, the drone can be in the air so one member can get the gear ready while the other is on the controller.”
The quadcopter is equipped with multiple camera capabilities, including a 360-degree field of view, thermal imaging and advanced high-resolution zoom, giving defenders a detailed look at their surroundings. These features allow them to gather information faster and more safely than with boots on the ground.
The sUAS program and drone capabilities have come a long way in the theater [CB1] since the program was established in 2014. At the time, Ajoste was an active-duty Airman working with sUAS in the 332nd ESFS.
“We used to fly digital fixed wing drones that would take 20 minutes to an hour to set up,” Ajoste said. “Defenders working in the AOR today have all the stuff we always wanted and it’s just getting better.”
Story by Senior Airman Karalyn Degraffenreed
United States Air Forces Central