The Air Force Gunsmith Shop has a new name and new parent unit, after 48 years under the umbrella of the Air Education and Training Command and its predecessor organizations. It will still reside in its secure bunker facilities at Lackland AFB, Tex., but it is now part of Air Force Materiel Command. AETC officials call it a good match since the small unit of 11 personnel—now comprising the Air Force Gunsmith Integrated Product Team—has had AFMC as its approval authority for 30 years. Organizationally, the team now falls under the 542nd Armament Sustainment Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Ga.
Pentagon Task Force, FAA to Test Counter-Drone Laser
March 7, 2026
The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force announced it would conduct a high-energy laser test with the Federal Aviation Administration less than a month after the use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border prompted the FAA to shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas.