The E-3 "Sentry" AWACS (Airborne Warning & Control System) is surely a well known aircraft type. Even people without any interest or knowledge in military aviation can easily recognize it cause of its large and pretty unique radome, mounted on top of the fuselage of the plane. Since the E-3 entered USAF and NATO service during the early 1980s, it participated among dozens of conflicts and Operations, no matter if as part of the so called "War on Drugs" during the 1980s, Operation "Just Cause" in Panama 1989, "Desert Storm" in 1991 or the GWOT during the early 2000s. But what about the E-8C JOINT-STARS (Joint Surveillance & Target Acquisition Radar System)?

The E-8C is a pretty interesting airborne system with a development history which reached back into the 1970s. At that time the USAF saw a specific need for a specialized Airborne Command and Control & Battlefield Surveillance system. Airborne Command and Control aircraft were nothing new among the USAF. Specially modified and equipped C-130 cargo planes were for example used in that role over South East Asia. But such aircraft were more a kind of "gapfiller" as a real and effective solution for such a task area.

The base for this airborne system were several used Boeing 707-320C airliner which were specially modified with state of the art avionics and electronical systems. What the USAF finally got during the 1990s, after a long development and testing phase, was a pretty effective and in USAF service unique surveillance system, which was able to detect, locate, classify, collect and relay a massive amount of information from areas on the ground, air and sea. And that in all weather conditions. Such aircraft should provide the necessary data and overview which was needed to plan and conduct complex operations on a modern battlefield.

These photos were made during Operation "Iraqi Freedom" as E-8Cs of the 12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, 116th Air Control Wing from Robins AFB, Georgia supported the advance of US Forces on the ground, but coordinated also Air and Naval Operations. But they not only played an important role during "Iraqi Freedom. As the country sank into a bloody civil war from 2004/2005 on, E-8Cs coordinated US Operations and forces on the ground, which were confrontated with a pretty complex and difficult situation. Between 2004 and 2006 E-8Cs took over the coordination and communication of the large convoy system of US and Allied Forces in Iraq. At that time a network which was very chaotic and without a functional command and communication structure. The JOINT-STARS took over that role and forwarded communication between different units, coordinated supply routes etc. Cause of its excellent abilities for command and control duties, the E-8C`s performed very effective in that role. Especially because convoys became a popular target for insurgents. Communication became much more important, especially between logistical and combat units, which should protect the long supply lines within the country.