The crews that fly, operate, and maintain USAF’s E-8C Joint STARS ground surveillance aircraft have reached a milestone 1,000 sorties for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Dec. 4 flight “wasn’t the longest, shortest, busiest, or slowest,” but it marked “another outstanding performance,” says Lt. Col. Timothy Manning, commander of the 16th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron, in the Desert Eagle. He said the credit goes to all three Joint STARS units from Robins AFB, Ga., that have taken turns flying missions over Iraq since 2003.
Flying the New T-7: One Squadron Gets Ready
Feb. 9, 2026
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.orgJOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas—The first T-7A trainer jet touched down here nearly two...

