In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the threat from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, is no longer hypothetical – it’s here, and it’s growing.
Protecting the people I serve – and ensuring the safety of Americans across the country – will always be my top priority.
As our adversaries swiftly advance their drone capabilities, America cannot afford to fall behind.
Every weekend in the fall, tens of thousands of fans pour into stadiums across the South.
This week alone, as the nation turns its attention to major college football championships – from the SEC Championship in Atlanta, to the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, and the ACC Championship in Charlotte – millions of spectators will gather in some of the highest-profile venues in the country.
With crowds of this size, each of these gatherings carries real security considerations that we cannot ignore.
We have already seen what our adversaries are capable of with drones on the battlefield. The threat landscape has shifted as commercial drone technology has become widespread, and now we must take action to safeguard our large-scale events.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and America 250 approaching, the United States must build a stronger, faster, and more flexible posture to protect the public from hostile or reckless drone activity. At last year’s Paris Olympics, over 300 drones were intercepted before they could disrupt events – a clear reminder that the threat is real, persistent, and rapidly growing.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and a member of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, I have seen firsthand how quickly our adversaries adapt.
Our response must be faster still. That starts with giving our law enforcement, intelligence, and security professionals the tools, training, and authorities they need to act in real time. Outdated regulations and limited authorities cannot be allowed to slow our defenses at a time when threats are accelerating.
North Alabama is leading the way.
Huntsville has long served as a center of gravity for America’s defense and aerospace innovation. The work at Redstone Arsenal and by industry partners across the region is providing the technology that keeps Americans safe – from advanced missile defense to next-generation counter-UAS systems that detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones before they become a danger. Our community has the proven ability to jam, drop, and intercept drones of every caliber.
That commitment to readiness is why I was proud to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Trump Administration officials, and law enforcement leaders at Redstone Arsenal as they celebrated the opening of the National Counter-Unmanned Training Center (NCUTC) and the graduation of its inaugural class.
This new facility positions Alabama at the forefront of the fight against malicious drone activity and stands as a powerful example of proactive defense. The security professionals trained here will deploy to stadiums and major national events across the country, protecting crowds at events just like the ones taking place this week.
The Trump administration deserves tremendous credit for prioritizing this mission and accelerating the policies and investments needed to counter emerging aerial threats.
Their leadership helped take solutions like the NCUTC from concept to reality, ensuring that America is not merely reacting to evolving technology but staying ahead of it.
Moving forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Administration to strengthen and expand the legal and operational framework needed to counter drone threats as they arise.
Protecting Americans from aerial threats is not a partisan issue – it is a shared national responsibility. Our goal is simple: ensure our agencies and security professionals have the authority and capabilities necessary to stop attacks before they happen.
Our enemies do not wait, and neither can we.
As millions of Americans tune in to the World Cup draw, fill stadiums for championship weekend, and gather for major events throughout the year, they should have confidence that our nation is prepared.
With continued leadership, strong investment, and a unified strategy, we can ensure that America remains two steps ahead – protecting our people, our infrastructure, and our way of life. That is the mission before us, and it is one that starts right here in North Alabama.
Our time is now.
Congressman Dale W. Strong represents the Fifth District of Alabama and is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Homeland Security.
