Barboursville, VA — May 5, 2026 — 38 Sierra, a Virginia-based provider of specialized counter-UAS training, announces Drone Incident Response Training (DIRT), a specialized training program designed to prepare personnel to safely assess and manage grounded, crashed, suspicious, or potentially weaponized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Most counter-UAS training focuses on detection, airspace monitoring, and drone interdiction. DIRT focuses on what happens after the drone is on the ground.
Whether a drone is abandoned, has crashed, is found near sensitive infrastructure, or is associated with suspicious activity, the operational challenge changes the moment it becomes a grounded aircraft. At that point, personnel must be prepared to assess the situation safely, manage the scene, preserve evidence, and support informed escalation.
DIRT was developed to address that operational gap.
A Practical Program for Grounded Drone Response
Drone Incident Response Training (DIRT) is a counter-UAS training program built specifically
around the operational challenges associated with grounded drone incidents. Rather than
focusing exclusively on aerial detection or interdiction, DIRT prepares personnel for the critical phase that begins once a drone is on the ground.
DIRT emphasizes:
- Safe assessment of grounded, suspicious, or potentially hazardous drones
- Hazard recognition and risk-informed decision-making
- Reporting, scene control, and escalation procedures
- Evidence preservation and support to follow-on response
- Operational continuity during drone-related incidents
DIRT is designed to provide actionable, immediately applicable procedures for personnel responsible for managing drone incidents in real-world operational environments.Mission-Specific Training for Real-World Incidents
DIRT is structured as a mission-specific training program designed around the environments,
risks, and response requirements each organization is most likely to face.
38 Sierra currently delivers DIRT for:
- Aviation & Airport Security
Each course is built around the operational realities of that environment, ensuring personnel receive relevant, role-specific guidance aligned to the incidents they are most likely to encounter.
“When a drone is on the ground, the problem has just begun. DIRT was developed to ensure personnel can recognize hazards, assess risk, and respond safely during that critical phase of the incident,” said Patrick McCrone, Co-Founder of 38 Sierra.
Scenario-Based Training Built for Practical Application
To support DIRT delivery, 38 Sierra develops realistic inert UAS threat training aids and support tools that enhance hands-on instruction and scenario-based exercises.
These tools are used to support:
- Hazard recognition training
- Scenario-based practical exercises
- Response evaluation and decision-making drills
- Controlled simulation of grounded drone threat situations
These supporting tools are integrated to improve realism and reinforce functional application without introducing risk.
Built on Operational Experience
DIRT is informed by operational experience, real-world threat analysis, and direct contributions to the development of grounded drone response procedures.Co-Founder Patrick McCrone is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) professional with over two decades of experience in counter-IED operations, weapons technical intelligence, and grounded unmanned aircraft system response. He previously served as a Technical Lead at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center, where he led work focused on UAS threats, radio-controlled improvised explosive devices, and grounded drone response procedures. He was responsible for developing the initial doctrine for U.S.
Military EOD response to grounded small unmanned aircraft systems, helping establish formal tactics, techniques, and procedures for a previously unaddressed operational gap.
Preparing Personnel Before the Incident Occurs
DIRT is built for the personnel most likely to encounter the drone first.
In many cases, that is not a specialized response unit. It is a patrol officer, facility security professional, corrections officer, military security element, or frontline employee expected to make immediate decisions in uncertain conditions. 38 Sierra provides practical training and the tools necessary to ensure those personnel are prepared to assess grounded drone incidents safely, maintain control of the scene, and support informed follow-on response.
To learn more about Drone Incident Response Training (DIRT), visit: www.38Sierra.co
Read the full article here
