Air Force civil engineers adapt training to evolving drone threats

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench
  • 35th Fighter Wing

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The training strengthened Airmen’s ability to locate, assess and respond to hazards in a simulated drone attack environment, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s adaptability to operate in high-threat conditions. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event.

260604-F-VQ736-1008

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The training strengthened Airmen’s ability to locate, assess and respond to hazards in a simulated drone attack environment, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s adaptability to operate in high-threat conditions. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event.

260604-F-VQ736-1029

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the inside of a storage house for a simulated small unmanned aircraft system during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training event at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. By searching for a simulated downed drone, Airmen practiced reconnaissance and hazard identification skills that help them adapt mission capabilities to emerging threats. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, left, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, and Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th CES emergency management technician, scan their surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, left, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, and Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th CES emergency management technician, scan their surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The exercise enhanced skills to identify contamination and operational hazards, supporting the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to sustain combat operations for evolving adversarial capabilities. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, left, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, and Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th CES emergency management technician, scan their surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, left, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, and Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th CES emergency management technician, scan their surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The exercise enhanced skills to identify contamination and operational hazards, supporting the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to sustain combat operations for evolving adversarial capabilities. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.

260604-F-VQ736-1065

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fink, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) emergency management noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics and training, scans the surroundings for a simulated drone during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The training strengthened Airmen’s ability to locate, assess and respond to hazards in a simulated drone attack environment, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s adaptability to operate in high-threat conditions. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management technician, conducts a post-attack reconnaissance sweep during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training.

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management technician, conducts a post-attack reconnaissance sweep during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The exercise reinforced the CBRN mission’s responsibility to identify contamination, unexploded ordnance and other hazards that could impact the 35th Fighter Wing’s operational effectiveness. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management technician, simulates a hazard barricade during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training event.

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Peddie, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management technician, simulates a hazard barricade during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training event at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2026. The exercise enhanced post-attack reconnaissance capabilities, a core component of the CBRN mission that supports the 35th Fighter Wing’s readiness and resilience under attack. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bench)

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The training strengthened Airmen’s ability to locate, assess and respond to hazards in a simulated drone attack environment, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s adaptability to operate in high-threat conditions. The Emergency Management flight specializes in immediate post-attack reconnaissance to detect and report any potential manufactured or biological hazards that may affect wing operations.