America's Contingency Corps Trains Against Drone Threat, Prepares for Future Battlefields

Sept. 22, 2026 | By Courtesy XVIII Airborne Corps |

The character of warfare is changing, and the growing use of unmanned aircraft systems on battlefields around the world is forcing militaries to adapt faster than ever. 

 
At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the XVIII Airborne Corps is taking on that challenge through Exercise Scarlet Dragon, which brings soldiers and industry partners together to test emerging technologies in realistic field conditions. The exercise helped evaluate which capabilities can integrate across the force, including systems designed to detect, track and defeat unmanned aircraft threats. 
 
"The Scarlet Dragon exercise has become a validation exercise in the dirt with soldiers doing integrated, real-world, operational-type tasks," said Army Col. Tom Monahan, director of the XVIII Airborne Corps' Joint Innovation Outpost. 
 
Held Sept. 11-17 at Fort Bragg, the exercise combined soldiers, military systems, artificial intelligence, resilient data pathways and industry partners to address one of the Army's most pressing challenges: integrating sensors, electronic warfare, command and control and defensive fires against evolving unmanned aircraft threats. 
 
"Basically, [it was] transitioning gaps to capability requirements that we need, capabilities that will fill the gaps, and then running them through the exercise and the experimentation to come away with our findings to support the warfighter," said Army Col. Paul Staeheli, the XVIII Airborne Corps operations officer. 

 
Rather than testing technology in isolation, Scarlet Dragon placed emerging capabilities in an austere field environment where soldiers could evaluate performance against realistic threats and operational problems. 
 
It also replicated tactics and capabilities soldiers could encounter on a future battlefield, including large-scale drone swarms and systems modeled after threats seen in current conflicts. Some scenarios featured swarms of up to 100 unmanned aircraft, giving soldiers the opportunity to train against the scale and complexity of modern drone attacks. 
 
That threat environment allowed the XVIII Airborne Corps to evaluate not only individual systems but also how different capabilities work together. 
 
"What we've found is that there's no one sensor to rule them all," said Army Col. Rob Kenny, the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of fires. "It takes an integrated, layered approach."  

Kenny said the company node is determining how quickly soldiers can sense the threat and pass that information back in time to act. 
 
Electronic warfare, sensors, radar, autonomous systems and defensive fires each provide different tools for detecting, identifying and defeating unmanned aircraft. Integrating those capabilities is critical as adversaries continue to evolve their use of drones. 
 
Scarlet Dragon also demonstrated how the Army can work with industry to develop and integrate new technologies faster. 
 
Leading-edge technology companies worked alongside soldiers to identify operational problems, test potential solutions and gather feedback directly from the field. The partnership gave developers firsthand insight into how their systems perform in realistic military environments, while giving soldiers a chance to shape the technologies they may eventually use. 
 
"The vendors out here are different contractors with different companies trying to show the limitations and capabilities of all their systems," said Army Staff Sgt. Charles Johnson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the company node. "They're giving the full scope of what their systems can do and how it can help us in the best way possible." 
 
The effort extends beyond developing new equipment. The exercise examined the broader counter-UAS challenge, from passive detection technologies, such as acoustic sensors and portable radar, to autonomous systems and emerging capabilities designed specifically for the UAS fight. 
 
That approach reflects the XVIII Airborne Corps' broader responsibility as America's Contingency Corps. 

 
The exercise also reinforced a larger message about modernization: preparing for the future battlefield requires more than buying new equipment. It requires understanding emerging threats, testing solutions under realistic conditions and rapidly adapting when those solutions fall short. 
 
Through experimentation and collaboration with industry, the XVIII Airborne Corps is working to integrate autonomous technologies with legacy systems and address a rapidly evolving unmanned aircraft threat. 
 
The goal is not simply to observe the future of warfare, but to prepare for it. 
 
As unmanned systems continue to reshape battlefields around the world, exercises such as Scarlet Dragon give the XVIII Airborne Corps an opportunity to learn, adapt and develop the capabilities soldiers will need to maintain an advantage in future conflicts.

DOW Identifies an Army Casualty

July 21, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the death of an active-duty Soldier who was supporting overseas operations in Iraq.

Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on July 19, 2026, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. The incident is under investigation.

Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

For more information regarding Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, members of the media may contact the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at usarmy.redstone.smdc.list.public-affairs@army.mil.

New DIA Director Expects Intensified Demands for Intelligence

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The new director of the Defense Intelligence Agency is approaching his dream job with eyes wide open, valuing people over technology and expecting a future that holds more intense demands for intelligence.

Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn became DIA director July 24, as well as commander of the collocated joint functional component command for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance that is part of U.S. Strategic Command.

“If there’s a dream job for me, this is it,” Flynn said during an interview with American Forces Press Service.

His vision for the agency, the director added, “is to operationalize the capabilities that DIA brings to bear, for the defense community and specifically in support of our combatant commanders -- [the] commanders and organizations that are spread throughout the globe in support of our nation’s defense.”

DIA personnel are deployed in 139 countries around the world, with more than 500 serving combat forces in Afghanistan.

“People don’t always know that some of the men and women who are out there are even from DIA,” Flynn said. “They show up and they live and breathe with the units they’re [supporting], doing an intelligence analysis mission and helping commanders understand what’s happening in their environment.”

The general began his own career as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He has served in command and staff positions, with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, including as director of intelligence for U.S. Central Command and director of intelligence for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

DIA, Flynn said, “has an enormous responsibility for defense in general and certainly for providing intelligence support to our war-fighting forces. It did quite a bit for me personally and certainly for the units that I was a part of over the last … couple of decades.”

In an open letter to the men and women of DIA, the director said DIA’s analysis must be timely, responsive and relevant to the needs of customers that include the military services, and increasingly international, domestic and private-sector partners.

“We must strengthen our human intelligence collection against strategic defense targets growing more difficult to penetrate, while fully incorporating counterintelligence. We must continue to integrate science and technology to enhance our operations,” he wrote.

Flynn is a graduate of, among other institutions, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies, whose graduates are informally known as Jedi Knights, a reference to lightsaber-wielding members of the Jedi order featured in “Star Wars” films.

He’s also earned an honorary doctorate from the Institute of World Politics and three master’s degrees, including a Master of Business Administration degree in telecommunications. But people are his real focus.

“The best technology to invest in is the technology between the ears,” he said. “Regardless of what we have in terms of technology, we have to invest in the people … so we’re leading technology and technology is not pulling us along.”

Such an investment, Flynn added, has everything to do with innovation -- allowing people to take risks in thinking and in trying new ways to present information, to bring ideas forward, and to allow people freedom of action to try new things.

An innovator himself, Flynn is known in the intelligence community as one of three authors in January 2010 of a report published by the Center for a New American Security that was critical of intelligence in Afghanistan.

“Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan” by Flynn, who at the time was the senior intelligence officer in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Capt. Matt Pottinger, and DIA senior executive Paul D. Batchelor, was based on discussions with hundreds of people inside and outside the intel community.

The report recommended sweeping changes for the intel community, including moving from a focus on the enemy to a focus on the people and culture of Afghanistan, or any country where U.S. forces are deployed.

In the lead-up to writing the report, Flynn said, “what I began to realize is that we’re not seeing the … trees [for] the forest. We’re missing something here.”

What was missing for the intel community, he said, was a focus on the total environment rather than the threat alone.

“There was not a sound understanding of what the environment was like, so I think that in our cultural awareness, our language capabilities, our insight and training … prior to forces entering in this case Afghanistan, we were missing something in a big way,” Flynn said.

“The fact that we have brought laser focus to that issue has made us smarter, more aware, more tuned in” to a process that is also relevant to the pivotal events occurring now in North Africa, Syria, Yemen and in several African countries.

The intelligence community has also matured in other ways, Flynn said, and has come to see in itself a much greater role operationally.

The operational community sees this integration of intelligence and operations in a way that’s much different now from 10 years ago, Flynn said. As DIA goes forward, it will look hard at its integration with the operational community and with the combatant commanders, the general added.

“Intelligence at the edge is better than intelligence at the center. … We have to be in the field, [and] we’re already taking a hard look at how … we place ourselves in a much more operational footprint globally to be more responsive, to be more agile, to be more flexible in the kinds of needs that our nation [will have] here in the coming decade,” he said.

Fort Bragg Shooting Suspect Dies

Fort Bragg Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Army Spc. Ricky G. Elder, the subject of a criminal investigation surrounding the June 28 shooting here of two soldiers with the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, has died.

Elder, an infantryman from Hutchinson, Kan., died of self-inflicted injuries on June 29 after receiving treatment at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, N.C.

Elder, who was 27 years old at the time of his death, allegedly shot Army Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale, commander of the 525th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, during a June 28 safety briefing near the unit’s headquarters in the historic district of Fort Bragg around 3:30 p.m., according to installation officials.

Tisdale, 42, of Alvin, Texas, was killed immediately, officials said. Elder reportedly turned the weapon upon himself, causing life-threatening injuries.

Army Spc. Michael E. Latham, 22, a signal support system specialist assigned to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, had received a minor, non-life threatening wound during the June 28 shooting. Latham, a native of Vacaville, Calif., who joined the Army in October 2009, was released from Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.

Special agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation of the shooting, officials said.

Elder had been charged with larceny of a toolkit valued at $1,700 and was pending court martial for that charge. Charges had been referred but his trial had not been scheduled.

Elder enlisted in the Army in 2004 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, Fort Richardson, Alaska; and 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in June 2010.

Elder deployed to Iraq from October 2006 to November 2007 and to Afghanistan from September 2010 to July 2011.

Soldier Killed in Fort Bragg Shooting Identified

Fort Bragg Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The soldier who was shot and killed here June 28 has been identified as Army Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale, commander of the 525th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, according to installation officials.

Tisdale, 42, of Alvin, Texas, was allegedly shot by a member of his battalion during a safety briefing near the unit’s headquarters in the historic district of Fort Bragg around 3:30 p.m., officials said.

Tisdale was killed immediately, officials said, and the alleged assailant reportedly turned the weapon upon himself, causing life-threatening injuries.

Special agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation of the shooting, officials said.

Tisdale graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 and was commissioned as an infantry officer. He took command of the battalion in January 2012 when the battalion was activated.

Tisdale’s previous assignments include 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Brigade and 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Ga.; 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment and the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.; and 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, and the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Military Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and Senior Parachutist Badge.

One Soldier Killed, Two Wounded in Fort Bragg Shooting

Fort Bragg Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C., June 28, 2012 – A soldier is dead and two others are wounded following a shooting incident here today.

During a 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade unit safety briefing, a soldier shot another member of the unit and then turned the weapon on himself. The shooter was injured and is in custody. A third soldier who was in the area was also slightly wounded in the shooting.

"This is a tragedy for our community. We don't yet know the reasons for the shooting, but are working with the unit and the affected Families to help them through this difficult period," said Col. Kevin Arata, 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Public Affairs Officer.

"Our prayers are with those who have been affected by this terrible incident," Arata said.

Fort Bragg law enforcement and emergency responders secured the scene within minutes. Special agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation.

Notification of the next of kin is underway.

Face of Defense: Toy Drop Becomes a Family Affair

By Army Staff Sgt. JaJuan S. Broadnax
49th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT BRAGG, N.C.  – Army Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Vallade and his son, Army Sgt. Joseph Vallade, spent a special day together Dec. 10, when both paratroopers participated in the annual charity toy drop near here.

The father-son duo jumped from an aircraft together for the first time – possibly the only time -- and earned Thai army jump wings in the process.

The junior Vallade arrived to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team nearly three years ago. He’s a military policeman in the brigade’s Special Troops Battalion. His father took over responsibilities as the command sergeant major for the 82nd Sustainment Brigade’s Special Troops Battalion earlier this year. They’ve been trying to coordinate a jump together ever since.

The 14th annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop provided the opportunity. Participating paratroopers are supervised by a foreign jumpmaster from one of ten countries. This year, the Vallades’ jumpmaster was from Thailand.

“The odds of us jumping together are not the best in the world, so today was a very special day for us,” said the senior Vallade. “It will probably be the only jump that I will have with this young sergeant before he gets promoted again or I retire.”

“I was thinking that I would never get a chance to jump with him, but thank the Lord,” he added.

Vallade is in his 28th year of service, but his son has the edge on airborne operations, he said with pride, praising Sgt. Vallade for getting his twelfth jump that day. Command Sgt. Maj. Vallade has seven.

“That’s why he got to go in front of me today,” Vallade said of his son. “That doesn’t happen often.”

“The good thing about jumping side-by-side is that he was teasing me most of the day,” he added. “He gave me six cherry pies to put into my pocket. Needless to say, I did not jump with the cherry pies in my pocket.”

“Now I’m just waiting to [inspect his parachute],” said Sgt. Vallade, referring to his ambition to become a jumpmaster.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vallade said that along with having his battalion commander enlist his son into the military and being able to drop him for his first pushup, the chance to jump with him is something he always will remember. His son agreed.

“It’s awesome to have someone to look up to,” said Sgt. Vallade. “I’ve always wanted to be in the Army. It’s awesome to finally be here and be able to look directly up at my dad in uniform and out of uniform.”

“He’s most definitely my role model,” he added.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vallade is equally proud, as his son has developed a reputation for taking care of his soldiers.

“I love you, boy,” he said, as he patted him on the shoulder.

The jump may be the Vallades’ last opportunity as Joseph is about to embark on his second Afghanistan deployment. His father soon will retire from the Army.

Both are feeling the anxiety about the junior Vallade’s upcoming mission, they said. Command Sgt. Maj. Vallade explained that although he has five combat deployments under his belt, nothing can prepare a father to send his son off to war.

“When you’re the deployer, you don’t think about it,” Vallade said. “You train and you prepare, but when your son or your family member is gone downrange, you don’t get a break. You’ve been there, done that. You know what could happen.”

“But, I know that he is trained for it,” he added.

Vallade said the only thing that could top the pride he felt jumping with his son and watching him turn into the combat-proven soldier he’s become, is to jump with both of his sons. The third Vallade is an Army lieutenant.

“If I could get that to happen before I retire, I wouldn’t need a retirement gift,” he said. “That would be my gift.”

Face of Defense: Ballerinas Perform in ‘The Nutcracker’

By Army Sgt. Chris Harper
82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C., Dec. 16, 2011 – Many of the 60 dancers who perform in a local production of “The Nutcracker” ballet are the daughters of service members stationed here.

The ballet, performed by the North Carolina State Ballet troupe, has in recent weeks entertained thousands at the Crown Center in nearby Fayetteville.

Ashley Watters, daughter of the 82nd Airborne Division’s chaplain, Army Lt. Col. Jeff Watters, who is now deployed to Afghanistan, has danced ballet for more than 11 years. This is her second seasonal appearance in the state ballet’s “Nutcracker” production.

Ashley began her dancing journey right here.

“I began dancing at a little place on-post at Tolson Youth Center,” Ashley said.

Erin Rafferty, 11, daughter of Lt. Col. John Rafferty, commander of the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, has danced with the state ballet troupe for nearly two years.

Erin also played multiple roles in the “Nutcracker” production, including the head mouse, a child and as one of the clowns, which she admits was her favorite.

“I liked doing all of the cartwheels!” Erin said.

Erin’s father said he was impressed with the ballet troupe’s performance on Dec. 4.

“I got to be backstage tonight, and what I didn’t realize was how everything runs so precisely,” said Rafferty, noting he’d expected that backstage goings-on would be more hectic. But operations, he noted, went like clockwork, and the performers knew where to be, and when to change their costumes.

Also featured in “The Nutcracker” performance, which was directed and choreographed by Charlotte Blume, was Anne Talkington, 17, an 11-year member of the North Carolina State Ballet, and the daughter of Mark Talkington, a retired Army colonel.

“It was getting the opportunity to perform with the “Prince” from the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh,” Anne said about the evening’s highlight for her. “He’s professional.”

Sarah Middleton, 13, daughter of Lt. Col. Dan Middleton of the XVIII Airborne Corps based at Fort Bragg, danced the ‘Spanish Variation’ and the ‘Waltz of the Flowers’. Smiling following the opening show, Sarah said her dancing was enhanced by the adrenaline rush she received by performing in front of friends and family.

Paris Sullivan and Lauryn Meehl, both age 11, and Rebekah St. Cyr, 13, account for more than 18 years of dance experience between them. Each is the daughter of Fort Bragg soldiers and each danced to the delight of the audience.