ISR platforms level-up in Agile Combat Employment capstone
By Staff Report, 380th Air Expedtionary Wing Public Affairs
/ Published March 15, 2021
AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing conducted rapid airpower movements in support of a U.S. Air Forces Central Agile Combat Employment capstone event from Feb. 28 to March 4.
Aircrews and maintainers supporting the EC-130H Compass Call, E-3G Sentry and E-11A dispersed from Al Dhafra Air Base to other U.S. Central Command airfields in order to demonstrate flexibility in executing combat operations with minimal resources.
“We wanted to display our ability to quickly react, relocate, and bring electromagnetic spectrum dominance to the fight, wherever that may be,” said Lt. Col. Jarreau Jones, 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron commander. “We are not limited by austere location or an adversary’s attempt to outrange us or run away.”
During the capstone event, an EC-130H assigned to the 41st EECS staged at an undisclosed location, while still delivering combat airpower in the electromagnetic spectrum. Similarly, an E-3G assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, as well as an E-11 assigned to the 430th EECS tested their ability to execute the mission from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m proud of our aircrew and maintainers who charged into this event and demonstrated their ability to employ world class battle management and command and control anytime, and more importantly, from anywhere.” said Lt. Col. Terry Hjerpe, 968th EAACS commander.
While dispersed throughout the theater, 380th AEW Airmen and aircraft also integrated with partners participating in the ACE capstone.
“The E-11 joined other assets to meet mission requirements, pushing capabilities to the next level and fostering innovation from our Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Steenberge, 430th EECS commander.