E-8C JSTARS, staging from Al Udeid AB, Qatar, recently surpassed 100,000 flying hours in direct support of US Central Command operations. “The tasking in the CENTCOM theater during the last 13 years is a clear indication of the value and capabilities that the E-8C brings to the manned command and control, battle management, intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance mission,” said Col. Kevin Clotfelter, Georgia Air National Guard 116th Air Control Wing commander in a June 2 release. Members of the ANG’s 116th ACW and the Active Duty 461st ACW from Robins AFB, Ga., as well as Army JSTARS 138th Military Intelligence Company amassed the flying hours over six CENTCOM operations, including Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel, according to the release. JSTARS clocked 100,000 post-9/11 combat flying hours in all theaters last May.
The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.
