From Backpacks to Bird’s-Eye: Drones Transforming EOD at Hurlburt Field

Drones Transforming EOD at Hurlburt Field

FEBRUARY 10, 2026 – Across a stretch of open terrain at Hurlburt Field, Florida, two 1st Special Operations Wing Airmen began a race between machines. One guided a ground robot toward a simulated casualty, its treads working across dirt and grass. The other launched a small unmanned aerial system, or drone, which reached the site within seconds. From above, the drone’s camera streamed a clear view of the scene before the robot made it halfway th…

From Backpacks to Bird’s-Eye: Drones Transforming EOD at Hurlburt Field

Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are integrating small, portable drones to gain a faster and safer view of potential explosive threats, a task previously handled by slower ground robots. This shift enhances mission readiness and safety by allowing Airmen to assess hazards from a distance with real-time, high-fidelity imagery, keeping them out of harm's way.