👩✈️👨✈️ Who: Staff Sgt. Aaron Holmes and Senior Airman Erika Gustafson
🚁 What: Selection for commissioning programs after presenting the Optical Drone Detection System (ODDS)
📅 When: After the Sept. 22–24, 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference
📍 Where: AFWERX Spark Street exhibit at the AFA conference
🎯 Why: Their innovation enhances counter-drone detection in contested environments
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Two Airmen behind an innovative drone detection project have been selected for competitive commissioning programs following a high-profile demonstration at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
Staff Sgt. Aaron Holmes and Senior Airman Erika Gustafson, members of AFWERX Project Arc, were selected for the Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program (SLECP) after presenting their Optical Drone Detection System (ODDS) during the AFWERX Spark Street exhibit at the conference held Sept. 22–24, 2025.
The Airmen briefed senior Department of the Air Force leadership, including Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink, on their work. Following the event, the Secretary’s office reached out to recognize the project and extend commissioning opportunities to both innovators.
ODDS is a sensor-agnostic application that uses a custom-built YOLO (You Only Look Once) object-detection model to identify small unmanned aircraft systems in environments where traditional radio-frequency-based detection systems may be ineffective. By leveraging computer vision, the system provides a low-cost, adaptable option for counter–small UAS missions.
“ODDS effectively addresses the find, fix, and track aspects of the current counter-UAS mission set in an incredibly low-cost and easily adoptable manner,” Gustafson said.
Both Airmen participated in AFWERX’s Project Arc, which places officers and enlisted personnel from across Air Force Specialty Codes into six-month innovation rotations to rapidly solve operational challenges. Holmes, a crew chief with the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Gustafson, a tactical air control party specialist with the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron, represent the program’s broad talent pool.
“None of this would have been possible without AFWERX’s guidance and support,” Holmes said. “Project Arc allowed us to build ODDS and show how Airmen from any career field can help solve complex operational problems.”
According to Tech. Sgt. Chris Anderson, AFWERX Spark Cell coordinator, and the pair exemplify the initiative the Department of the Air Force aims to cultivate.
“Their work on ODDS shows how Airmen, given the right tools and support, can deliver solutions that directly advance the mission,” Anderson said.
The ODDS team continues refining the technology, with plans to open-source the code within the Department of the Air Force, allowing wider adoption and customization. Their project was one of 24 Airmen- and Guardian-led innovations featured at the Spark Street exhibit, highlighting the growing role of grassroots innovation across the force.
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