AWACS departs for combat mission
A E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft taxis out to the runway at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on Jan. 16.The E-3 Sentry is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome that provides situational awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, command and control of an area of responsibility, battle management of theater forces, all-altitude and all-weather surveillance of the battle space, and early warning of enemy actions during joint, allied, and coalition operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jenifer H. Calhoun/Released)