TSA Connecticut partners with police to conduct drone training exercise

The TSA Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) in Connecticut partnered with local police and other agencies to conduct an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) training exercise to distinguish between drones and manned aircraft.

In collaboration with the Enfield, Connecticut Police Department and fire and emergency response agencies, FAMS coordinated the critical UAS training exercise at the Enfield Annex, about 15 miles outside of Bradley International Airport (BDL). The event focused on enhancing the ability of law enforcement and military personnel to detect, identify and tell the difference between drones and manned aircraft, particularly at night.

The exercise aimed to provide law enforcement officers with the tools to observe, capture, and analyze comparative images of UAS and commercial aircraft flying in their regular flight paths over Enfield. In addition to representatives from over a dozen police, fire, and emergency response agencies, several prominent local officials attended, including Enfield Mayor Ken Nelson.

"We were proud to host this important exercise alongside our partner agencies," said Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox. "Given our proximity to Bradley International Airport, Enfield was the ideal location for this training. The exercise also highlighted the capabilities of our Drone Unit, which has earned recognition for its wide-ranging operations in the field."

The training followed a surge in reports of unidentified drones operating in Connecticut's night skies last December. These incidents raised concerns due to their similarity to the well-publicized drone swarms observed along the New Jersey shore. At the time, law enforcement struggled to differentiate between drones and commercial aircraft based on video footage provided by the public.

"Officers across the state were receiving calls about suspicious drone activity but lacked the training to tell whether they were looking at a plane or a drone," said TSA Connecticut Assistant Federal Security Director Steven Blindbury. "This exercise helps fill that gap."

The training session also served as a public event, with observers gathering in the bleachers to watch the drones in action. More than 40 members of the Connecticut Air National Guard attended, gaining firsthand experience in identifying drones amid the backdrop of night skies frequently traversed by commercial aircraft.

"We have commercial aircraft pass over the base a dozen times every night. We've conducted drone response operations on base before, but I wanted to ensure my team would be better prepared to differentiate between drones and planes flying at night," said Chief Master Sergeant Jessica Roy of the 103rd Security Forces. "I contacted Steven Blindbury from TSA and Lt. Tim Merrill from the Connecticut State Police and requested their assistance to help facilitate this important training for the Air National Guard."

Another key component of the exercise was the creation of a video library, showcasing 17 different types of drones flying at night alongside commercial aircraft for comparative analysis. This library will serve as a valuable tool for forensic analysis in future events involving drone sightings, enabling law enforcement agencies to better assess and respond to potential threats. The training also included aerial footage captured by the Connecticut State Police helicopter.

"At the conclusion of the exercise, we conducted a simulated 'drone swarm' to demonstrate how multiple drones can be identified and cataloged in the sky," Blindbury explained. "These videos will be shared with all first-response agencies across Connecticut for ongoing training."

The participants in this multi-agency exercise included TSA Connecticut, the FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Connecticut State Police, Enfield Police Department, Manchester Fire Department, Branford Police, New Haven Police, the Connecticut Air National Guard and many others.

BDL TSA Officer Greg Deshenes helped organize the event. TSA Connecticut Program Specialist Erik Wilhelmsen video catalogued each drone in the exercise.

"This exercise has brought together various drone teams from across Connecticut, improving our collective ability to respond to potential threats to transportation, aviation, and critical infrastructure," said TSA Connecticut Federal Security Director William Csontos. "Through innovative exercises like this, TSA continues to lead in UAS response and ensure our safety in the state."

By Connecticut TSA Assistant Federal Security Director Steven Blindbury; Dan Velez, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs; and Mike Frandsen, TSA SCPA