Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 JSTARS flies last sortie out of CENTCOM By 1st Lt. Ronald Cole
                116th Air Control Wing
 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – An 18-year deployment of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the second-longest deployment in Air Force history, has ended. Just before sunrise Oct. 1, Col. Konata Crumbly, 116th Air Control Wing commander and Joint STARS aircraft commander, pulled back the flight controls and lifted the aircraft from the runway on the last Joint STARS sortie leaving Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. "Looking out the window of the flight deck and seeing Al Udeid drifting into the distance for the last time after so many years was a momentous occasion," said Crumbly. "It is difficult to measure the kind of success our Team JSTARS Airmen and Soldiers achieved over the last 18 years; it can only be measured in lives not lost." Joint STARS has been continually deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility every day since November 2001. They flew 10,938 sorties, equaling 114,426.6 combat flying hours in support of nearly every CENTCOM operation, including Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. "Team JSTARS' flawless deployment of the Joint STARS weapon system over nearly two decades is a textbook example of total force integration and joint force execution done properly," said Brig. Gen. Thomas Grabowski, Georgia Air National Guard commander. "They have set the gold standard in TFI and will continue to lead the way as they restructure to the new Advanced Battle Management System supporting the Air Force we need." Joint STARS aircraft fly over assigned areas of responsibilities and provide battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance so theater joint force commanders have real-time decision-making tools to prevent loss of life and delay, disrupt and destroy enemy forces. "Our Airmen and Soldiers, past and present, have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to excellence by overcoming countless obstacles, generating combat airpower, and taking the fight to our adversaries whenever and wherever called upon," said Col. Edward Goebel, 461st Air Control Wing commander. "I am very proud to be part of this unique capability, and I have every confidence Team JSTARS will continue to answer our nation's call with disciplined execution and dedication to excellence." Established Oct. 1, 2002, as the U.S. Air Force's first total force initiative wing, Team JSTARS is based at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is made up of the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th ACW, the Air Combat Command's 461st ACW, and the active-duty Army Intelligence and Security Command's 138th Military Intelligence Company. "The relationship between the Soldiers and Airmen of Team JSTARS enabled unprecedented, timely support to CENTCOM maneuver commanders, undoubtedly saving countless American and coalition service members' lives," said Maj. Nicholas Sikes, 138th MICO commander. "Our support will continue as long as the nation and the joint force commanders need the capabilities we can provide."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 18 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 19 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil