JSTARS receives international recognition

by TSgt Regina Young
116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs

5/7/2013 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform has been recognized as one of the "Big 25 [2012] biggest breakthroughs" by C4ISR Journal.

Every year, the C4ISR Journal looks for new technologies and efforts that change or enhance the military environment.

"Achieving this international recognition as one of the C4ISR Journal's "Big 25" is a huge accomplishment for JSTARS! It highlights our operational success, technical capability, and overall utility in defense of our great nation," said Col. L. Dean Worley Jr., commander, 461st Air Control Wing. "The C4ISR Journal recognized that we are operating under the highest operations tempo in the platform's 21-year history. This is a true "first" for the JSTARS weapons system and great recognition for our Airmen and industry partners that JSTARS is now acknowledged as a national asset."

The E-8C JSTARS platform operated and maintained by the 461st and 116th Air Control wing's has provided more than 10 years of continuous deployments and has flown in more than 900 combat sorties for Operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn, and Unified Protector.

During the period covered by the award, the JSTARS proven war fighter capabilities, assisted in the capture of nine persons of interest and also identified approximately 74 Improvised Explosive Devices increasing the safety and security for coalition forces and for people living in dangerous regions.

Furthermore, JSTARS world-class weapon system deployed twice in 2012 to North Korea delivering strategic over-watch in this volatile region directly impacting national policy.

Recently, Team JSTARS was able to bring the C2ISR capability closer to home by integrating a $143 million radar upgrade which provides maritime moving target indicator support for Homeland Defense operations.

With this up-grade JSTARS was able to support the U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement agencies leading to the seizure of approximately $200 million in narcotics and the arrests of more than 53 suspects in counter trafficking operations.

"The reason this award is so applicable to the E-8C, is it performs a command and control mission, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance simultaneously," said Col. Kevin Clotfelter, commander of the 116th ACW. "Whereas the platform could garner recognition on those missions independently, the fact that we can do both makes it more compelling."