Navy, USAF Aid Ground Comm:

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Last year the Air Force added a roll-on communications package—known as Jackpot—to some C-130 airlifters flying over Iraq to aid ground communications from one unit or convoy to another. The Navy also has adapted its E-6B Mercury to augment ground communications. The E-6B—operated and maintained by sailors deployed from Tinker AFB, Okla.—has had its most-sensitive strategic communications gear removed and other radios added that enable its pair of trailing wires to extend radio communication for ground forces. They share duty with the USAF C-130s to provide 24-hour coverage over the battle area. (Read more in SrA. Clark Staehle’s report and another by SSgt. Cassandra Locke.)

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.org