New Centcom task force aims to equip deployed forces with drones, other tech in 60 days or less
U.S. Central Command is setting up a new team and innovation hub to help strategically fast-track the military’s adoption of drones and other cutting-edge combat capabilities, the organization announced Tuesday.
Led by the command’s Chief Technology Officer Joy Shanaberger, the new Rapid Employment Joint Task Force (REJTF) will involve experts in information systems, data integration, procurement, logistics, warfighter integration, assessments and other areas, who will be tasked with informing, improving and accelerating processes for outfitting deployed service members with cutting-edge weapons.
“Our goal is to rapidly deliver innovation, meaning putting combat-credible capability into the hands of our warfighters in 60 days or less,” Shanaberger said in a statement shared with DefenseScoop ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
Centcom is headquartered in Tampa and oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East region. The combatant command carried out America’s military response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other counterterrorism operations in the aftermath.
More recently, the organization took a leading role in Operation Rough Rider against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer.
The command also seeks to serve as a testbed for disruptive and emerging technologies — including unmanned platforms, AI and machine learning, 3D printing and counter-drone systems — via organizations like Task Forces 39, 59, 99 and 179.
Centcom Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the stand-up of the REJTF “is about getting new warfighting capabilities into the hands of our skilled warfighters faster.”
The task force will seek to “synergize existing efforts” among the service components, Cooper noted, adding that it’s meant to support Pentagon leadership’s ongoing “drive to rapidly equip our warriors.”
The press release confirms that the command’s creation of the REJTF supports the directive issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July to speed up the acquisition and fielding of affordable drone technologies for combat units.
“The new joint task force will coordinate innovation efforts in three focus areas: capability, software, and tech diplomacy — building on progress achieved by service-component task forces in prior years,” per the release.
Shanaberger, who previously served as a senior adviser to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks during the Biden administration, said the REJTF will seek to deter adversaries and “find newer, better, and more efficient ways to equip our forces while working alongside our regional partners.”
This announcement comes the week after U.S. and Saudi forces completed Red Sands, which is the Middle East region’s largest live-fire counter-UAS exercise, according to officials. More than 300 personnel reportedly fielded 20 counter-drone systems at the Shamal-2 Range in northeastern Saudi Arabia during the multi-day event.
“Red Sands brought together U.S., Saudi and industry capabilities and expertise to identify ‘best in breed’ systems for detecting, tracking and eliminating modern aerial drone threats,” said Cooper. “Working shoulder-to-shoulder with regional partners to innovate and adapt is more critical than ever.”
