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JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM, S.C. - Steady in the sky, a remote-controlled aircraft soars with eyes determined to protect and defend the installation while providing information at an accelerated rate.
Initiated in 2022, U.S. Air Force retired Gen. Mike Minihan, former Air Mobility Command commander, was tasked with establishing a small Unmanned Aircraft System program office at various Air Mobility Command Bases. The tasking eventually came down to the 437th Air Wing’s Operations Support Squadron.
The program highlights the sUAS’s reliable capabilities that can document damages pre- and post severe weather conditions, according to Joint Base Lindsey Graham’s 628th Civil Engineering Squadron sUAS program manager, Bradley Chase Baron.
The sUAS’s reliable capabilities were highlighted during this past winter’s rare Lowcountry snowstorm, where the sUAS documented the effects the storm had on base operations.
“We took a before and after [of the area] to be able to identify if there were any damages after the snow was cleared from the plows to have those repair costs covered,” said Baron, enabling effective operations while keeping service members safe.
During severe weather conditions such as a snowstorm, the sUAS program partners with Air Force installation management and command centers to conduct rapid damage assessments of the 24,000 acres across the installation encompassing the maintenance of $7.5 billion in base property.
“It's [about] being able to take these drones, and provide real-time or near-real-time data to the fingertips of the installation commander and leadership that [require] these videos and data to be able to make [effective] decisions,” explained Baron.
Remote aerial assessments and inspections can also be conducted, allowing sUAS operators to gather critical information while reducing personnel exposure to potential hazardous environments.
“Drones are developing technology that has many uses for inspections, hurricane damage, runway damage, and can be used to scout areas,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Stack, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering assistant.
Through intertwining innovation and mission readiness, the sUAS program provides commanders with decision-making advantages. These advantages strengthen airspace safety and improve manpower efficiency and recovery operations, with minimal impact on base equipment and property.
Data-driven decisions and the effective use of technology are advancing the mission forward one development at a time.
Positioned and postured with a resilient force, Joint Base Lindsey Graham continues to demonstrate its advancement through forward-thinking capabilities that keep the base strategically ready to project power and ensure safety anytime, anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2026 14:31 |
| Story ID: | 572681 |
| Location: | SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Innovation providing commanders with real-time data, by A1C Nahaku Takahashi, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
