JSTARS reassures mission partners

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Sutton, 10th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron crew flight engineer, performs a pre-flight inspection at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 3, 2022. The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft, deployed from the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, provides an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James)

JSTARS reassures mission partners

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rob Day, 10th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron flight engineer instructor, performs a preflight inspection on an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 3, 2022. Enlisted flight engineers are responsible for inspecting and operating the mechanical systems of aircraft including pre-flight checks, starting the engines, calculations for fuel burn in the air and running emergency checklists. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James)

JSTARS reassures mission partners

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jomar Decletmarrero, 10th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron aircraft reclamation technician, performs a pre-flight inspection on an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 3, 2022. The JSTARS aircraft, Airmen and Soldiers are deployed from the 461st Air Control Wing, 116 ACW and 138th Military Intelligence Company, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James)

JSTARS reassures mission partners

An E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft is sprayed with de-icing fluid prior to departure at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 3, 2022. De-icing is a critical maintenance process of removing snow, ice, or frost from an aircraft's surface. During colder periods of the year, icy materials can build up, disrupt airflow, and interfere with a safe take-off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James)

JSTARS reassures mission partners

An E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft prepares for departure at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 3, 2022. The aircraft, deployed from the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, provides an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James)

JSTARS reassures mission partners

Published March 21, 2022
By Staff Sgt. Emmeline James
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- It’s the early hours of the morning when the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System crew arrives to begin their day. They receive a quick briefing before the E-8C JSTARS aircraft is prepared for departure.

The JSTARS aircraft, deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany from the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, provides an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. JSTARS are operated by Guardsmen from the 116 ACW, active duty Airmen from the 461 ACW, and U.S. Army Soldiers from the 138th Military Intelligence Company.

During their time in the U.S. European Command theater, the unit is supporting training exercises and events demonstrating the U.S.’s steadfast commitment to NATO allies, enhancing interoperability with multinational partners, and deterring any actions that could destabilize regional security.

“We are here to support EUCOM operations in the area, including operations in support of deterring aggression within neighboring countries.” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephanie Bisagno, 10th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron intel non-commissioned officer in charge.

The 10 EACCS squadron comprises 19 different Air Force Specialty Codes, all essential to the in-house maintenance, planning and intel parts of the mission.

“Everyone plays a role on every sortie,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Sullivan, 10 EACCS director of operations. “The mission is very dependent on people being competent and effective at their jobs.”

Sullivan added the Airmen and Soldiers, who fly during each mission, integrate ground commanders to ensure all members have the most up-to-date information necessary for mission success.

Using radar, communications, operations and control subsystems, the JSTARS crew can communicate real-time situational awareness of ground operations to the joint force and NATO partners and allies.

“As a C2ISR(command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platform, the E-8C is capable of wide area surveillance of targets on the ground,” explained U.S. Air Force Capt. Dale Warfield, 10 EACCS JSTARS mission planning chief. "Our Airmen and Soldiers are working hard to ensure that decision-makers – in the ground and on the air – have the information they need during any mission.”