sUAS SALUTE Report

If you see a drone above or near Spangdahlem Air Base, STOP! and contact the Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) immediately at:

DSN: 452-6666
 
Then provide the following information:

First, state: "I am calling to report a drone sighting." followed by your name, rank, organization, and call-back number.

S - SIZE:
  • How many drones did you see?
  • Is the drone multi-rotor, fixed-wing, or are you unable to determine?
  • Number of Propellers?
A - ACTIVITY:
  • Was it loitering/hovering in place or flying in a particular direction?
L - LOCATION:
  • Was it flying over the base or outside the perimeter of the base?
  • Direction of travel- Heading away from or towards a specific location, cardinal direction?
  • Where is the UAV positioned from where you are standing?

 

 

  • Provide general reference point, landmark, street intersection, facilities when possible.
  • What is your current location?
  • Location of the operator (if visible)
U - UNIT DESCRIPTION & UNIFORM:
  • What are the characteristics of the drone and can you identify if it was carrying anything?
  • Were there any flashing lights on the system? If so, what color?
  • Do you see anyone who appears to be operating the drone? Where are they? What do they look like?
T - TIME:
  • Time of when the sUAS was first detected
  • Time of when the sUAS was last seen
E - EQUIPMENT:
  • Did you see lights?
  • Did the drone have attachments or external payload?

Also include any other pertinent details of the event and wait for instructions from emergency services.

Taking photographs or video of the sUAS would be helpful for Air Force security forces IF you can safely do so!

(But do not delay your call to emergency services to take your photo)

Please note: Air Force personnel have two options when providing an account of a suspicious sUAS. The first option is to call the installation’s Security Forces Base defense operations center (BDOC or the Law Enforcement Desk (06565-61-911 on your mobile phone or 911 from a DSN line). If neither of those options are available, then the recommendation is to call local German law enforcement, by dialing 110.

sUAS Types

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (also known as UA, UAS, UAV, & Drone) are categorized as Group 1 (mini and micro systems) through Group 5 strategic-level assets. Groups are based on speed, operating altitude, and weight. In general, the larger the platform the more robust the capabilities. The Department of Defense defines sUAS as the first three groups, as highlighted in red below. The sUAS category encompasses most commercial/recreational use sUAS available to the public.

Unmanned Aircraft Category Groups
 

The most commonly seen sUAS airframes are multirotor or fixed wing/rotary wing (FW/RW) configurations and include systems that are Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and purpose-built (modified or scratch-built from parts or kits for specific missions). sUAS may be powered by internal combustion engines or electric motor.

Drone Visual Aid

How to identify a sUAS

Sound

sUAS can be loud due to their rotors cutting through the air, the rotors cause a distinct, high-pitch buzzing noise. Sound is a good indicator that the drone is close enough to see. This noise can be heard within a couple hundred meters of your location.

Visually

sUAS are usually visible from the ground, they look like small light aircraft with blinking lights that are minimally visible during the day and quite visible at night.

By day

The body of a drone may look like a small light aircraft, or a dark silhouette depending on its altitude.

At night

Lights are an effective way to spot a drone at night. Some sUAS emit both blinking and non-blinking lights.

Navigation Lights:

  • All hobbyist drones are required to have a set of four navigational lights (two red and two green).
  • These lights shine in a straight line and DO NOT flicker.

Anti-Collision Lights:

  • Commercial drone pilots are required to have anti-collision (powerful strobe) lights that are visible out to a minimum of three status miles .

Why being able to identify sUAS is important

sUAS are a continuous and evolving threat to the security and mission of military installations and Air Force personnel.

Especially group 1 and 2 sUAS are difficult to detect and are abundant due to their low cost. sUAS can be used by criminal organizations (including transnational organizations), terrorists, and lone actors to achieve specific objectives. sUAS have been weaponized and are used by adversaries in multi-mission roles.

Some examples of sUAS threats are listed below.

  1. Flight Safety/Hazards to Flight Operations: Various airports and AF installations have reported sUAS that have impacted operations by congesting airspace.
  2. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Using mounted cameras, sUAS can provide the operator with contemporary ISR capability in real time.
  3. Terrorism: Terrorist organizations could use a sUAS as a weapon system by using it as an airborne guided bomb/claymore type device or with a mission payload using homemade/improvised munitions that can be dropped from above.

These examples represent the growing and sophistication of sUAS threats. Your assistance in identifying these threats is essential for the safety and security of all personnel and guests on Air Force installations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS