# Danish Air Force Home Guard uses drones in exercise for first time

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time
- Published: 2026-11-13
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: Land · Country: denmark
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/danish-air-force-home-guard-uses-drones-in-exercise-for-first-time.md)
- Primary source: https://www.hjemmevaernet.dk/da/aktuelt/nyheder/2026/11.-november/fhv-arsovelse/
- Tags: hjemmeværnet, danish home guard, flyverhjemmeværnet, air force home guard, hjemmeværnsskolen, drones, danish air force home guard, home guard squadron 223 skalstrup, finderup training area, home guard school

> The Danish Air Force Home Guard used drones operationally in an exercise for the first time, with around 150 soldiers testing cross-functional coordination at Finderup Training Area. Drone pilots trained through the Home Guard's new course helped spot hostile forces, while ground troops learned to distinguish friendly drones from enemy ones, offering valuable lessons for future deployments.

![Drone pilots at the Danish Home Guard exercise](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/4c808bf3-440a-4a02-7e9a-bfd6d700f600/public)
*Drone pilots at the Danish Home Guard exercise · Andreas Canvin, Flyverhjemmeværnet*

**Denmark’s Air Force Home Guard [deployed](https://www.hjemmevaernet.dk/da/aktuelt/nyheder/2026/11.-november/fhv-arsovelse/) 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](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/danish-home-guard-launches-new-training-for-drone-pilots), 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.

## FAQ

**What was the purpose of the drones used in Denmark's Air Force Home Guard exercise?**

The drones were used to spot hostile forces near the guarded area, raising the challenge for ground troops who had to distinguish friendly drones from hostile ones. A pilot from Squadron 223 Skalstrup said the drone allowed early warning of nearby adversaries. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

**When and where did the Danish Air Force Home Guard first deploy drones operationally?**

The Danish Air Force Home Guard deployed drones operationally for the first time during its annual exercise last weekend at Finderup Training Area. About 150 soldiers took part, with Major Jimmy Helsinghoff planning the exercise to test cross-functional coordination and situational awareness. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

**Which units participated alongside the drone pilots in the Finderup Training Area exercise?**

The exercise involved dog handlers, Security Force soldiers and guard assistants deployed alongside the drone pilots to defend a built-up area. One pilot came from Home Guard Squadron 223 Skalstrup, trained among the first 16 volunteers on the Home Guard School's new drone course. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

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