The U.S. Army’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) is expanding its partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to strengthen counter-drone training for state and local law enforcement ahead of major public events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
JIATF-401 is supporting instruction at the FBI’s National Counter-UAS Training Center by providing military instructors who incorporate Department of Defense counter-drone practices into the FBI’s Counter-UAS Operator Course. The program trains state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement personnel to detect, assess and respond to unauthorized drone activity.
The training includes nighttime detection, airspace awareness, coordinated mitigation techniques and scenario-based exercises designed to simulate security operations at crowded venues and critical infrastructure.
Military and FBI officials said the partnership is intended to transfer operational lessons learned from military counter-drone missions to domestic law enforcement agencies responsible for protecting large public gatherings.
JIATF-401 leaders recently met with FBI and local law enforcement officials in Los Angeles to review security planning for the 2026 World Cup. Officials said the visit highlighted coordination efforts among federal, state and local agencies to improve shared situational awareness and integrated command structures for counter-drone operations.
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401, said effective homeland defense depends on providing realistic training and strengthening coordination among agencies responsible for public safety.
Source: U.S. Army, FBI expand counter-drone training ahead of 2026 World Cup | UAS Magazine
