Senator Marshall Announces Air Combat Command Decision to Make Kansas the New Home for Point Defense Battle Lab
Wichita – On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) praised the decision by Air Combat Command (ACC) to have The Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing, headquartered at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, join the newly established Point Defense Task Force and serve as an operating location for a Point Defense Battle Lab. In addition, the Smoky Hill Air National Guard (ANG) Range near Salina will serve as a test site for counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) experimentation capabilities.
The announcement follows ACC’s directive to rapidly advance base defense capabilities against small UAS threats, with the 184th Wing tapped for its unmatched expertise in air battle management, cyber operations, and AI-enabled Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).
Senator Marshall and Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas-4) collaborated with leaders at the Department of War, the Department of the Air Force, and Air Combat Command to secure this critical win for Kansas, ensuring the state’s capabilities are fully aligned with national priorities.
“From defending our borders to protecting our skies, the Kansas National Guard continues to lead,” said Senator Marshall. “I’ve directly engaged with the Department of War to champion our Guard’s unmatched capabilities. The Point Defense Battle Lab represents a major opportunity to bring jobs, advanced technology, and strategic significance to our state. I’m proud to back the Guard’s vision and will keep fighting for strong federal investment to make it a reality.”
“This is a decisive moment for Kansas and for our national security,” said Col. Joe Deeds, Commander of the 184th Wing. “The 184th Wing is uniquely positioned to lead this mission. Our Air Battle Managers, cyber warriors, ISR operators, and AI specialists are ready to transform how America defends its installations and airspace. We’re not just experimenting with technology – we’re shaping the future of warfare.”
Background:
- The selection builds on Kansas’s comprehensive UAS strategy, which integrates military, academic, and industry partners across the state. From the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University’s ability to conduct advanced research, testing, and certification support for UAS to enhance safety, performance, and integration into national airspace, to the flight training and drone forensics capabilities at Kansas State University Salina, the state offers a full-spectrum ecosystem for unmanned systems development, testing, and deployment.
- The Point Defense Task Force will operate in phased outcomes, integrating commercial-off-the-shelf solutions, validating tactics, techniques, and procedures, and preparing 5th generation bases to actively defend against Group 1-3 UAS threats. Kansas’s selection also positions Smoky Hill Range as a candidate site for the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 test range, recently announced by the Department of War.
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Contact: Payton Fuller
