Security forces look to technology, innovation for future base security

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Defenders of the 412th Security Forces Squadron and 412th Test Wing leadership got an up close look at a system July 10 that could possibly help with base security in the future.

A private company set up its Raptor surveillance system at a remote building near the edge of Rogers Dry Lakebed. The ground-based radar system has the capability to monitor the lakebed at great distances with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

“It can allow us to immediately detect and assess any target that enters the designated area,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Deguzman, 412th SFS installation security technician. “This would help the 412th SFS by allowing us to cover more than 20 kilometers of terrain with a single piece of technology. Given the amount of manpower the 412th SFS has as compared to the amount of terrain that needs to be covered, it would be extremely difficult for a patrol to effectively monitor the lakebed.”

According to Deguzman, the base poses several challenges to its security force, primarily the rugged terrain and the large area to cover -- Edwards AFB is approximately 308,000 acres.

“The driving need for this system is to proactively defend Edwards AFB. Given the mission of Edwards, and how much terrain we have, we need a system that can overcome the difficulties of patrolling the vast amount of land Edwards presents to our patrols,” Deguzman said.

The Raptor System is one of a few current technologies that 412th SFS is exploring to enhance security.

“We are currently looking for commercial off-the-shelf (small unmanned aerial systems), vehicle and body cameras, and a renovation to our current Emergency Command Center. All of these proposed technologies will help with our security and overall command and control.”

The 412th SFS leadership along with wing leadership will now decide whether the Raptor System should be fielded at Edwards.