Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Partners With JIATF-401 to Enhance Counter-UAS Training

Members of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), in coordination with the U.S Army's C5ISR Center, the FBI, and interagency partners, conducted a counter unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) training event and operational assessment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 15-18, 2026.

The event was designed to enhance installation-level C-UAS readiness in support of protecting Task Critical Assets (TCAs) and mission-essential airfield operations. Installations across the joint force are rapidly increasing c-UAS capabilities in response to the threat of drones to protect critical infrastructure, personnel, and operational continuity

JIATF-401 is increasing installation capabilities through training events, shared interagency expertise, and real-world operational assessments to strengthen homeland defense and increase warfighter lethality.

Over the course of the multi-day event, JIATF-401 conducted live unmanned aerial system training scenarios and installation-focused evaluations to better understand detection, tracking, and response capabilities in a realistic operating environment. The effort also trained Marines on the installation to respond quickly to drone threats through rigorous, real-world scenarios.

The FBI Columbia Field Office also participated in the event alongside additional federal, state and local stakeholders. This collaboration enabled a broader understanding of the operational environment and reinforced the importance of a whole-of-government approach to countering unmanned aerial threats.

"Increasing training capabilities and interoperability across the interagency and joint force is critical to ensuring installations are prepared to detect, track, and respond to the rapidly evolving drone threat," said Kevin White, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Liaison Officer to JIATF-401. "This coordinated effort between Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the FBI, and other partners is rapidly increasing counter-UAS capabilities for our warfighters."

Beyond supporting installation-level readiness, the event provided valuable data to inform future C-UAS training, system integration, and future capability development. JIATF-401 continues to expand its support to installations across the Services, synchronizing efforts across the DoW to defend critical infrastructure against unmanned aerial threats.