E-8C participates in naval exercises

The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) was part of a recent US Navy composite training unit exercise, the US Air Force announced on 4 February.

The JSTARS was flown by the 461st and 116th Air Control Wings in a naval exercise aimed at improving joint service training. Its long-range radar capability was used by the Carrier Strike Group 4 based in Norfolk, Virginia to receive land and sea radar information.

JSTARS has been integrated with over ten aircraft types to support the new joint warfare concept and provide unique command and control, ISR and battle management capabilities.

Navy Lt. j.g. John Duffner, naval flight officer of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, flew on board the JSTARS. He said: 'The precision of the radar and the sheer size of the crew on JSTARS enable them to do more things simultaneously than we can do.'

Duffner received hands-on training during the missions and was able to compare the JSTARS platform with the E-2C Hawkeye command and control platform that he usually operates. He said: 'I came here as a liaison officer to gain a better understanding of what JSTARS can do so I can take it back to my squadron and see how we can work together to better accomplish our mission set.'