Strong spotlights North Alabama in Counter-Drone Leadership

Representative Dale Strong (R-AL5) told lawmakers that North Alabama stands at the heart of the nation’s homeland security work, especially in Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) testing and training.

“North Alabama is at the forefront of meeting complex and evolving security challenges—from advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) testing to world-class training at Redstone Arsenal,” Strong said during the session, which examined current homeland threats and readiness.

The hearing included testimony from officials on threats facing the United States, with emphasis on preparation for major future events and improved coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.

A central part of the discussion was the FBI’s National C-UAS Training Center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Strong pressed FBI operations officials on why Redstone has become a key national hub for training law enforcement and security personnel to counter drone threats.

According to the official transcript, he asked how the location supports training needs for security at events such as the World Cup, America250 celebrations, and the 2028 Olympic Games.

In his remarks, Strong stressed that the training center and testing infrastructure in North Alabama give the nation strategic advantage against evolving unmanned aircraft threats.

Strong also turned to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ask how the department is pushing forward with advanced C-UAS technologies.

Secretary Noem responded with urgency about the threat landscape. She said the department is making counter-drone work a top priority, noting how drones are increasingly used against law enforcement.

“Standing up a drone program and counter-drone program is one of the top three priorities of the department this next year to meet the threats that we face every day,” Noem said. “Every day, our secret service, our coast guard, our border patrol are seeing drones used against them, criminals using them to surveil them, to find out law enforcement operations, and to leak them, and to put their lives in danger.”

She added that while advanced detection and surveillance are critical, the department also must build capacity to take down drones when necessary.

“We've seen the cartels using weaponized drones against each other. We know it's only a matter of time before we see that here in the homeland…My job is to make sure that we're prepared and that we're equipped, and to advocate to you for the authorities that we need to make that happen,” Noem said.

The hearing comes amid broader federal efforts to strengthen counter-drone capabilities. Earlier this year, lawmakers proposed updated counter-UAS legislation to give Homeland Security and other agencies more tools to detect and mitigate hostile drone activity.

Local and national officials have also pointed to the new FBI National Counter-Unmanned Training Center at Redstone Arsenal as a milestone for domestic security training. The center, opened in November 2025, now serves as the main U.S. training hub for law enforcement and federal partners on counter-drone operations.

The Committee hearing may be seen on YouTube or below: