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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system, is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination (CPAD) system. 
(U.S. Air Force photo)The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system, is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination system. 
(U.S. Air Force photo)
                
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 Air Force Distributed Common Ground System**MISSION**
The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS) refers to the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system that is operated by active duty (AD) and Air Reserve Component (ARC; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command) personnel. It is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) Analysis and Exploitation weapon system. The weapon system employs a global communications architecture that connects multiple intelligence platforms, sensors, and sites. Airmen assigned to AF DCGS produce actionable intelligence from data collected by a variety of data sources, to include sensors on the U-2 Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-9 Reaper and other ISR platforms.

**FEATURES**
AF DCGS active-duty units are assigned to 16th Air Force (Air Combat Command), however AF DCGS employs a total force integration (TFI) concept for expanded capacity, using both Air National Guard units assigned to their respective states, until activated by presidential order, and classic associate Air Reserve intelligence units. The 480th ISR Wing, headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the AF DCGS lead wing and is responsible for executing worldwide AF DCGS operations.
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        The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system, is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination (CPAD) system. 
(U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    Air Force Distributed Common Ground System
                
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                The AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod contains synthetic aperture radar that provides detailed maps for surveillance, coordinate generation and bomb impact assessment purposes.  It will be operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod
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