Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

U.S. Air Force Col. Alfred Rosales, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander, gives a speech after a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL is the 319th RW’s fourth mission and is a central hub for advancing Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System capabilities that fosters collaboration among civilian agencies, mission partners, and industry leaders to enhance the security of installations, service members, families and surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

From left, Dr. Sherri Bolcevic, 319th Reconnaissance Wing historian; U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tammy Shy, 319th Health Care Operations Squadron commander and Senior Airman Kelly Asbury, 319th Medical Group health services manager; observe a Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System video feed during a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL serves as a hub for collaboration, pushing boundaries in Couter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities, ensuring the Air Force maintains tactical superiority against evolving threats, and is a key part of the service’s effort to develop and evaluate advanced technologies to defend installations from sUAS threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charley Mills, 319th Reconnaissance Wing Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems program manager, gives a safety briefing before a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL serves as a hub for collaboration, pushing boundaries in Couter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities, ensuring the Air Force maintains tactical superiority against evolving threats, and is a key part of the service’s effort to develop and evaluate advanced technologies to defend installations from sUAS threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

U.S. Air Force Col. Ronaldo Champion, Point Defense Battle Lab director, briefs PDBL members before an exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL is a central hub for advancing Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities that fosters collaboration among civilian agencies, mission partners and industry leaders to enhance the security of installations, service members, families and surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

Airmen assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing watch as a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise begins at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL is developing and validating tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary to advance Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System detection, tracking, interception, and neutralization, improving the ability of units to secure Air Force assets, personnel and continuity of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

From left, U.S. Air Force Col. Ronaldo Champion, Point Defense Battle Lab director; 1st Lt. Clayton Register, 319th Logistic Readiness Squadron installation deployment readiness cell flight chief and Maj. Blaize Dunn, 319th Security Forces Squadron commander; review scheduled exercise events at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL serves as a hub for collaboration, pushing boundaries in Couter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities, ensuring the Air Force maintains tactical superiority against evolving threats, and is a key part of the service’s effort to develop and evaluate advanced technologies to defend installations from sUAS threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

From left, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Konstandinos Stavridis, 66th Air Base Group Electronic Systems program manager assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Tech. Sgt. David Prado, 319th Communications Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge and Staff Sgt. Tariq Stewart, 319th CS installation spectrum manager; discuss the processes of a Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System before a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb, 13, 2026. The PDBL serves as a hub for collaboration, pushing boundaries in Couter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities, ensuring the Air Force maintains tactical superiority against evolving threats, and is a key part of the service’s effort to develop and evaluate advanced technologies to defend installations from sUAS threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

Airmen assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, prepare to execute a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise on the flightline at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL serves as a hub for collaboration, pushing boundaries in Couter-small Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities, ensuring the Air Force maintains tactical superiority against evolving threats, and is a key part of the service’s effort to develop and evaluate advanced technologies to defend installations from sUAS threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)

Point Defense Battle Lab exercises defense systems

Published March 11, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Emma Teel
319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- U.S. Air Force Col. Alfred Rosales, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander, gives a speech after a Point Defense Battle Lab exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 13, 2026. The PDBL is the 319th RW’s fourth mission and is a central hub for advancing Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System capabilities that fosters collaboration among civilian agencies, mission partners, and industry leaders to enhance the security of installations, service members, families and surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Teel)