Final JSTARS leaves CENTCOM

On the 1st October 2019, the final E-8C JSTARS aircraft departed Al Udeid AB, Qatar in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility marking the end of an 18 year long deployment by the type - the second longest deployment in U.S. Air Force history. The E-8C has been continually deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility every day since November 2001. They have supported every operation including Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve flying a total of 10,938 sorties and equaling 114,426 combat flying hours. JSTARS aircraft fly over the area of responsibilities to provide battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support joint force commanders to prevent loss of life and disrupt and destroy enemy forces. Established on October 1st 2002 as the U.S. Air Force’s first total force initiative wing, Team JSTARS is based at Robins AFB in Georgia. It is made up of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th ACW, the Air Combat Commands 461st ACW and the active duty Army Intelligence and Security Command’s 138th Military Intelligence Company.