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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      An E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node sits on the flightline at Kandahar Airfield (KAF), Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2017. The E-11 BACN is a vital airborne signal relay, enabling real-time communications between friendly forces in the air and on the ground. There are only four E-11 aircraft in the Air Force and they operate around the clock, 24/7, ensuring Air Force and coalition operators can communicate when needed.An E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node sits on the flightline at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2017. The E-11 BACN is a vital airborne signal relay, enabling real-time communications between friendly forces in the air and on the ground. There are only four E-11s in the Air Force and they operate around the clock, 24/7, ensuring Air Force and coalition operators can communicate when needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Keenan Kunst)
                
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319th Reconnaissance Wing to field E-11 mission at Robins AFBPublished June 30, 2021
                    
                    By 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
            **GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --**The Air Force announced plans recently that the **319th Reconnaissance Wing** at **Grand Forks Air Force Base** will now provide command and control support for the Air Force’s E-11 **Battlefield Airborne Control Node** aircraft mission.
Under the proposed plan, which is contingent on Congressional approval of the retirement of four **E-8 JSTARS** at **Robins AFB**, Georgia, an **E-11** squadron at Robins AFB would be a geographically separated unit reporting to the 319th RW.
"We're excited to bring the E-11 BACN mission into the 319th (RW)'s portfolio of world-class Airmen and assets," said Col. Timothy Curry, 319th RW commander. "The E-11 brings strategic capability and advantages for the joint force which is the mission of the 319th RW.”
As part of its fiscal year 2020 budget request, the Air Force requested to begin retiring four E-8 aircraft next year, which would make way for the new E-11 BACN mission at Robins AFB.
E-11 BACN aircraft and a squadron of active-duty personnel will enable communications support to the joint force on the modern battlefield.
Pending the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act with provisions for JSTARS retirement, the E-11 mission is expected to stand up next year.
The Air Force already possesses three E-11s, and will continue to take delivery until the full fleet inventory is achieved.
Nine E-11 BACN aircraft and a squadron of approximately 290 active-duty personnel will execute a mission with a very high-ops tempo, enabling communications support to the joint force on the modern battlefield.
“As the Air Force looks to the future, we expect to be challenged around the world by China and Russia,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force **John P. Roth**. “Those threats require new solutions, which means divesting legacy platforms like the JSTARS. However, our intent is to capitalize on the existing expertise at Team Robins as we bring on these new missions. These missions will play a vital role in how we achieve decision superiority across all domains.”LR 



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