NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—The United States Air Force is intensifying its focus on the critical mission of defending airbases from sophisticated drone and missile attacks, a strategic shift underscored by recent announcements from senior leadership. On September 14, during the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference, Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink revealed the service is actively considering the establishment of a new acquisition office dedicated solely to overseeing point defense capabilities.
This initiative marks the latest in a series of comprehensive measures taken by the Air Force since late 2023, following an incident where unidentified drones reportedly hovered unhindered over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, catching base commanders unprepared. The event served as a stark reminder of the rapidly evolving and proliferating threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and other advanced missile technologies, prompting a decisive response from the service to bolster its defensive posture.
The urgency of this mission was a central theme at the conference, with both Secretary Meink and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach dedicating substantial portions of their keynote addresses to point defense. Their unified emphasis reflects a significant reprioritization within the Air Force, aiming to elevate base defense from a secondary concern to a core operational imperative.
“We can no longer treat point defense as a side hustle,” Gen. Wilsbach declared emphatically, highlighting the need for a fundamental change in approach. “We must make it a core function of air and space power.” This declaration signals a departure from traditional airbase security paradigms, which historically focused more on ground-based threats and perimeter control, towards a more integrated and technologically advanced defense against airborne adversaries.
To address the personnel requirements of this enhanced mission, Gen. Wilsbach announced that a new point defense career field is slated to become operational within the next two years. This dedicated career path is designed to ensure that Airmen and Guardians receive specialized training and are equipped with the necessary expertise to effectively defend airbases against a spectrum of aerial threats. The Air Force has already selected its first two career field managers, with Gen. Wilsbach recognizing one of these individuals during his keynote, signaling concrete progress on the human capital front.
Photo by Craig Hudson, for Air & Space Forces Association
On the acquisition side, the proposed creation of a new portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) for point defense represents a pivotal step in streamlining the procurement of defensive technologies. Secretary Meink emphasized that this PAE would focus on “the kit side” of point defense, ensuring that Airmen and Guardians have the most advanced tools to counter rapidly evolving threats. “How do you make sure that they have the kit they need to do the job?” Meink queried, acknowledging the “rapidly changing environment” of counter-drone innovations emerging from the defense industry.
Portfolio Acquisition Executives are a relatively new organizational construct within the Pentagon’s acquisition reforms, designed to replace traditional program executive offices (PEOs). The primary goal of PAEs is to consolidate multiple related programs under a single mission area, granting the executive greater authority to reallocate funds between programs and adapt requirements in response to evolving operational needs and technological advancements. This structure is intended to foster agility and accelerate the delivery of capabilities. The Department of the Air Force currently operates 26 PAEs—17 within the Air Force and nine within the Space Force—demonstrating a commitment to this streamlined approach.
“We are delegating almost every authority we legally have to our PAEs for most programs,” Meink noted, highlighting the significance of this structural change. “That now includes milestone decision authority, a big first on our acquisition community.” This delegation empowers PAEs to make critical decisions throughout the acquisition lifecycle, from initial concept to deployment, significantly reducing bureaucratic hurdles and accelerating the fielding of essential equipment.
While Secretary Meink cautioned that the establishment of a point defense PAE is “not going to be tomorrow,” he expressed strong confidence that its creation is a matter of “when, not if.” He stated, “We’re already walking down the road, and eventually we’ll evolve into PAE for it,” signaling an irreversible commitment to this strategic organizational change. The need, he reiterated, is unequivocally clear: “There definitely has to be continually increasing focus on making sure we can defend our Airmen and Guardians wherever they are in the world.”
Gen. Wilsbach further alluded to a significant acquisition program that may ultimately fall under the purview of this future point defense PAE. He indicated that the Air Force plans to develop a comprehensive “point defense weapon system.” This umbrella effort is envisioned to integrate a wide array of kinetic and nonkinetic counter-drone capabilities into a cohesive defensive network, potentially combining advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, directed energy weapons, and various interceptors. While specific details regarding this new program were not disclosed, its mention underscores the Air Force’s holistic approach to developing a robust and layered defense against the complex aerial threats of the modern era.
Why This Matters
The United States Air Force’s intensified focus on point defense against drones and missiles represents a critical adaptation to the evolving landscape of modern warfare, with profound implications for global security and military strategy. This shift is not merely an incremental adjustment but a fundamental re-evaluation of how airpower is projected and sustained in an increasingly contested environment.
Firstly, **Operational Readiness and Power Projection** are directly impacted. Airbases serve as vital hubs for launching and sustaining air operations worldwide. If these bases are vulnerable to low-cost, high-impact drone or missile attacks, the Air Force’s ability to project power, conduct surveillance, and deliver combat effects is severely compromised. Robust point defense ensures the continued operability of these strategic assets, allowing the U.S. to maintain its global reach and respond effectively to crises.
Secondly, the initiative prioritizes **Personnel Safety and Morale**. Protecting Airmen and Guardians, both at home and abroad, is a paramount responsibility. The psychological impact of persistent, unchecked threats like drones can erode morale and readiness. By making base defense a “core function” and professionalizing it through a dedicated career field, the Air Force is signaling its commitment to safeguarding its personnel, which is essential for recruiting and retaining a high-quality force.
Thirdly, **Protection of Billions in Assets** is at stake. Air Force bases house some of the world’s most advanced and expensive aircraft, alongside critical infrastructure and sensitive equipment. A successful attack on an airbase could result in devastating financial losses and significant setbacks to military capabilities. Effective point defense is an investment in protecting these invaluable national security assets.
Fourthly, this move reflects a crucial **Adaptation to Modern Threats**. The proliferation of affordable, sophisticated drones and precision missiles has democratized aerial attack capabilities, making them accessible to state and non-state actors alike. Conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere have demonstrated the effectiveness of these systems against fixed installations. The Air Force’s response acknowledges this new reality, developing strategies and technologies to counter these asymmetric threats rather than relying on outdated defensive postures.
Finally, the creation of a dedicated Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for point defense signifies a commitment to **Accelerated Innovation and Acquisition**. The “rapidly changing environment” of counter-drone technology demands agility in procurement. By granting the PAE significant authority, including milestone decision authority, the Air Force aims to drastically reduce the time it takes to identify, develop, and field critical defensive systems. This agile acquisition approach is vital for staying ahead of adversaries who are continually innovating their offensive capabilities, ensuring that the U.S. maintains a qualitative edge in airbase defense.