VanHerck’s comments highlighted the concerns of a new Mitchell policy paper that recommends the Air Force should adopt a sweeping new strategy aimed at protecting U.S. air bases from future drone attacks. The strategy also has to include a new, multilevel protective posture to help air base personnel adapt to changing drone threat levels. In response, the Air Force published new doctrine on the “Point Defense of Air Bases” in April 2025 to ensure the service plays a more active role in air defense, a mission that has traditionally been an Army responsibility. The doctrine gives air base commanders more freedom to identify threats and “secure air operations using organic PD capabilities.” The Air Force also stood up the Point Defense Task Force and Point Defense Battle Lab to develop to identify new training, equipment and tactics needed for the new mission.