Denmark’s Air Force Home Guard deployed drones operationally in an exercise for the first time last weekend. About 150 soldiers took part in the annual exercise at Finderup Training Area, according to the Home Guard.
— We test our soldiers’ ability to work across functions and keep track of the situation, says Major Jimmy Helsinghoff of the Air Force Home Guard, who planned the exercise.
The drones were used to spot hostile forces near the area being guarded. Their presence also raised the bar for the troops on the ground. Soldiers had to distinguish friendly drones from hostile ones throughout the exercise.
One of the drone pilots came from Home Guard Squadron 223 Skalstrup. He was among the first 16 volunteers trained on the Home Guard School’s new drone course, after the training was launched, as previously reported by NDS.
— With the drone, I can give early warning that the adversary is nearby, he says.
The exercise focused on training across functions. Dog handlers, Security Force soldiers and guard assistants were deployed at the same time to defend a built-up area.
Helsinghoff says the first use of drones has provided lessons for future deployments.
