Latest news with #UnmannedAircraftSystem
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Huachuca in Arizona could house thousands of migrant detainees
Fort Huachuca in southeastern Arizona and Fort Bliss in west Texas have been identified by defense officials as likely sites to house migrant detainees. Officials have been taking inventory of tents and razor wire in preparation. The Pentagon has taken a number of steps recently to increase the military presence at the border. In late February, the Army began planning to house as many as 30,000 migrant detainees at military bases inside the United States. The news comes as the Pentagon ordered the deployment of as many as 3,000 additional troops with armored vehicles to the southern border, according to Defense Department officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at the direction of President Donald Trump, ordered a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and an aviation battalion to a border security mission. They will arrive in coming weeks, according to Defense Department officials who were not authorized to speak publicly. The troops add to a growing U.S. military presence on the border. In January, Trump ordered 1,500 active-duty troops to support about 2,500 National Guard and Reserve troops already there. Headquarters personnel from the 10th Mountain Division have been at Fort Huachuca since mid-February. The soldiers were deployed to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who will deal directly with migrants at the border. The soldiers will set up observation posts, conduct patrols and call ICE officials when they see breaches in the border. They do not have the authority to make arrests. Between 2,500 and 3,000 new troops will be sent in this deployment, the official said. Trump has declared a national emergency at the border to address immigration challenges, which were the hallmark of his presidential campaign. Previous administrations have also sent active-duty troops to the border. Fort Huachuca is known for military intelligence and drone technology. It is Arizona's longest-lived Army installation. It is located in Sierra Vista in Cochise County, about 15 miles north of Arizona's border with Mexico. Fort Huachuca was the historic home of the Army's Buffalo Soldiers, the Army's regiments of Black soldiers (24th and 25th Infantry Regiments and the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments) from 1892-1945. Congress declared Fort Huachuca a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It now is the home of units that include the U.S. Army's school for training military intelligence personnel and an Unmanned Aircraft System training center. It also operates the Army's Electronic Proving Ground. More border news: Long wait times at Lukeville border crossing as Mexico steps up security checks This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fort Huachuca in Arizona could house thousands of migrant detainees
Zawya
21-02-2025
- General
- Zawya
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) delivers life-saving nutrition supplies to remote communities in Madagascar via unmanned aircraft
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has for the first time in three months, delivered life-saving nutrition supplies for malnourished children in the remote region of Farafangana, southeastern Madagascar. The consignment of Plumpy'Sup - a lifesaving supplement for children suffering from malnutrition, was delivered via an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) marking a milestone in the use of UAS technology to reach remote and isolated communities. 'In regions like southern Madagascar, where humanitarian needs are pressing, droughts are relentless and cyclones destroy roads and bridges, such innovations are vital,' said Franklyn Frimpong, WFP's Chief of Aviation. 'This milestone shows how innovation can help us reach those in need faster and more efficiently in challenging operational contexts.' Communities in Farafangana often wait for weeks or even months for assistance, with food supplies sometimes dropped in distant locations. Communities then embark on a gruelling half-day trek, wading through unpredictable rivers and climbing steep and slippery paths to bring food home. With UAS, WFP can now deliver up to 160 kilogrammes of relief items per drop with several deliveries planned to remote landlocked villages in southern Madagascar over the next three months. WFP is working with communities to build awareness and understanding of this delivery system, ensuring they can safely access the relief items. "Technology must be an integral part of our supply chain toolkit," said Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation. "This groundbreaking aerial operation is revolutionizing the way we deliver aid, elevating response efforts, not only for WFP, but for the entire humanitarian community. We are witnessing significant interest from partners and are eager to expand this initiative globally.' The innovative approach exemplifies WFP's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian aid delivery, ensuring assistance reaches all those who need it, especially those in insecure and hard-to-reach locations. It is a result of WFP's collaboration with private sector partners and donors. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Frederick County Sheriff's Office launches drone program
FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. () — The Frederick County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) launched a new drone program aimed at enhancing public safety in the county, officials announced Wednesday. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program began in the fall of 2023, with the first units arriving in June 2024. Patrol deputies now operate three Skydio X10 drones when deployment is requested in response to an incident. 'The decision to use drones in law enforcement is driven by their efficiency, affordability, and safety benefits,' the FCSO stated in a news release. Council Chair Jolene Ivey drops out of Prince George's County Executive race Drones are able to cover large areas, which helps in search-and-rescue efforts, public event monitoring and disaster surveys. The department said real-time aerial footage leads to faster decision-making, leading to quicker responses and better outcomes. Cheaper to operate and maintain than helicopters and equipped with thermal imaging and high-resolution cameras, drones are able to enhance the FCSO's operational capabilities at a minimal cost. They also improve deputy safety by reducing their exposure to dangerous situations, such as hazardous material assessments or suspect searches. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
12-02-2025
- CBS News
Frederick County launches police drone program
BALTIMORE -- Frederick County Sheriff's Office plans to use drone technology to improve policing with the launch of its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program. The office said the county now operates three Skydio X10 drones, which they deploy in response to incidents. Acting as an alternative to helicopters, drones allow police to quickly cover large areas for search and rescue efforts, public event monitoring, and disaster surveys. The drones also allow for more efficient decision-making, and are cheaper to operate and maintain, the DSCO said. The drones have both high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging capabilities. By using drones, officers can also avoid exposure to dangerous situations, including hazardous materials assessments, and suspect searches. Police in Maryland implement drone technology Frederick County isn't the first jurisdiction to use drone technology in law enforcement. In November 2024 Harford County Police used a drone to track down two teens accused of a string of vehicle thefts. Around 4:21 a.m. on Nov. 25, officers responded to Deep Well Court in Abingdon, where they learned that 21 vehicles had been rummaged through. Later, around 4:47 a.m., police were dispatched to Doncaster Road in Joppa for more theft reports. Witnesses told police they saw two suspects entering a black pickup truck, which police later spotted, initiating a pursuit. The suspects took the vehicle off-road before abandoning it and attempting to flee, but police used a drone to search the area and locate the suspects hiding in a densely wooded area. In April 2024, Howard County used a drone with thermal imaging to track down a teen suspect who stole a vehicle. In October 2023, Baltimore City launched its police drone program.
