08/13/2026
Last week, the 110th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek conducted a combat readiness exercise simulating a drone incursion on base. The three-day exercise was part of Northern Strike 26-2, one of the nation’s largest joint reserve readiness exercises, bringing together thousands of service members to train in realistic, complex scenarios.
As part of the exercise, members of Michigan’s Civil Air Patrol flew drones around the installation while 110th Wing personnel trained to identify, assess, and respond to UAS activity. During the exercise, Airmen utilized Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) system which Battle Creek Unlimited is developing as part of its MICH-AIR initiative at the Battle Creek Executive Airport (BTL).
Led by ResilienX of Syracuse, New York, this system integrates radar, ADS-B and Remote ID sensors to provide the airspace awareness and safety infrastructure needed to support remote and autonomous aircraft operations.
The exercise demonstrated another important potential application: using advanced airspace technology to help monitor and manage drone activity in complex environments.It also highlighted what makes MICH-AIR unique: the opportunity to develop advanced aviation infrastructure in partnership with industry, government, and the military, while creating capabilities that can support both commercial innovation and national security.
Battle Creek is building the infrastructure for the future of aviation and that future is already taking flight!
