Joint STARS makes preparations ahead of Hurricane Dorian

WARNER ROBINS, GA, UNITED STATES

09.02.2019

Story by 2nd Lt. Ronald Cole 

116th Air Control Wing

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Team JSTARS took steps Monday morning to prevent potential damage from Hurricane Dorian to the fleet of E-8C Joint STARS aircraft stationed here.

The E-8C Joint STARS, belonging to the Georgia Air National Guard, 116th Air Control Wing, have relocated temporarily to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma where they will wait while Hurricane Dorian travels up the eastern coast of the United States.

“Joint STARS is a unique weapon system in our nation’s Air Force,” said Col. Ed Goebel, commander of the 461st ACW. “Protecting our Airmen and aircraft is a duty we must uphold in order to preserve combat capabilities for combatant commanders.”

“Protecting the assets we have been entrusted with is a top priority for us,” said Col. Ato Crumbly, commander of the 116th ACW. “By moving our aircraft to Tinker Air Force Base to wait out the storm, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure our aircraft are safe should Hurricane Dorian bring significant weather to our area.”

All aircraft that could not be housed inside hangars at Robins AFB were flown by crews of operators and maintainers to Tinker AFB. The rest of Team JSTARS remains in middle Georgia and is standing by to be called if needed to help with recovery efforts.

“We have the best team of people ready to help as soon as we receive the call,” said Crumbly. “From our route clearing packages to medics, security forces and services, our people are highly trained and have the necessary resources to help the citizens of Georgia and any state we are called upon to assist. This is what we train for.”

The E-8C Joint STARS aircraft is located solely at Robins Air Force Base. Its missions belong to Team JSTARS which is the first Total Force Integration wing and comprised of the 116th ACW, an Air National Guard wing, the 461st ACW, an active duty Air Force wing, and the 138th Military Intelligence Company, an active duty Army detachment.

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For further questions contact the author, 1st Lt. Dustin Cole, 116th ACW Public Affairs Officer, [phone], [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 09.02.2019
• Date Posted: 09.04.2019 16:37
• Story ID: 338119
• Location: WARNER ROBINS, GA, US