BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 6th Space Warning Squadron Security Forces unit at Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts, will be operating new robotic dog teammates or unmanned ground vehicles (UGV’s) in 2024, after a live demo and contract announcement that took place on Feb. 24, 2023.
This robotic transition will make Cape Cod only the second U.S. Space Force Base to receive these robotic dogs, the first being Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida last year in July.
“We’re excited to take part in the AFWERX initiative, 6 SWS space operators pride themselves on being innovative in how we approach our missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness missions,” said Lt. Col. Stewart Smith, 6 SWS commander. “When the opportunity to do the same with our security forces team came up, we jumped at the chance.”
In the development of Guardians and Airmen, to generate a ready, resilient, combat credible and innovative force, the security team believes this change to UGV’s will provide security, safety and mission enhancement for the 6 SWS base. The unique mission of Phased Array Warning System also known as “PAWS,” enables the operation of the Upgraded Early Warning Radar. This unit prides itself on its leaders and innovators, so adding robot dog teammates will be enhancing this approach.
“This change requires us as defenders to adapt our traditional ways of thinking and expand our area of expertise, in this case we have done so with Technology,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jared Norwood, 6 SWS Security Force Team Lead. “This is one avenue that elevates our overall security while leveraging the capabilities from our countries brightest minds allowing us to maintain our highest level of “security”.
The Air Force Security Forces enterprise is currently transitioning training from defending against terrorism to training how to defend against a more well-armed and well-trained threat.
“It’s exciting to be a part of a first step towards military [Space Force] innovation,” said Tech. Sgt. Gary Bass, Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of Security Forces training. “Our whole team is looking forward to the possibility of force-wide changes in security.”
According to Bass, the integration of these advanced technologies will improve mission effectiveness and have a significant role in the safety and security of Cape Cod’s ground base radomes.
The 6th Space Warning Squadron, which is a geographically separated unit from Delta 4, provides timely and accurate missile warning and space surveillance data to the U.S., its allied leaders, and its 140-member-team.
The team works endlessly to ensure the safety and security of North America by operating the sole land-based East coast space warning unit in the United States.
According to Smith, this will enhance the security forces team’s ability to monitor the perimeter of the restricted area and detect the approach of unauthorized personnel. Augmenting the team with this technology will be a force multiplier and a great way to enhance the existing team’s capabilities.
“This technology essentially gives our team an extra set of eyes,” said Smith. “It will increase the speed at which the security forces team can detect unauthorized personnel approaching the restricted area, all while keeping the team safer.”