116th Air Control Squadron

116th Air Control Squadron
Unit name	116th Air Control Squadron
Country	United States
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Air Control Squadron
Role	Radar surveillance, battle management, airspace control
Garrison	Fayetteville, North Carolina
Equipment	Air surveillance radars, communications suites

116th Air Control Squadron is an Air National Guard air control unit providing tactical command and control, air surveillance, and battle management. The squadron integrates with theater air control systems to coordinate aircraft, surface-to-air assets, and joint operations. It operates expeditionary command and control systems to support homeland defense, overseas contingencies, and multinational exercises.

History

The unit traces lineage through post-World War II reorganizations of United States Air Force air defense assets and the expansion of the Air National Guard during the Cold War. Throughout the Korean War era and the Vietnam War period, air control squadrons evolved alongside developments in North American Aerospace Defense Command concepts and Air Defense Command tactics. In the 1980s and 1990s, modernization paralleled programs such as the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System and updates to Tactical Air Control Party doctrine. After the September 11 attacks, the squadron adjusted to increased homeland air defense operations in coordination with Federal Aviation Administration, United States Northern Command, and North American Aerospace Defense Command. Post-2001 deployments aligned with campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the unit participated in multinational exercises with NATO allies like Royal Air Force, Canadian Forces, and Australian Defence Force partners. The 21st century brought integration with network-centric initiatives tied to Global Positioning System enhancements, Link 16 data-link modernization, and interoperability standards promulgated by NATO Standardization Office.

Mission and Role

The squadron’s primary mission is to provide tactical air battle management, weapons control, and airspace surveillance in support of Air Force Special Operations Command, United States European Command, and United States Central Command taskings. It coordinates with joint and combined organizations including United States Army Air and Missile Defense Command, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy air defense elements to establish and maintain air sovereignty. The unit supports civil authorities such as Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic crisis response and integrates with Transportation Security Administration partners for airspace security tasks. In training and exercises, it interoperates with command centers like the Combined Air Operations Center and tactical units such as F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and MQ-9 Reaper operators to execute integrated air operations.

Organization and Structure

Organizationally aligned under a state Air National Guard wing and the National Guard Bureau for federal missions, the squadron consists of radar, battle management, operations, communications, and support flights. It employs career fields from the Air Force Specialty Code structure including weapons directors, surveillance technicians, and communications systems operators. For joint operations, the squadron attaches liaison officers to entities such as the Air Operations Center, Joint Task Force staffs, and coalition partner command posts. Training pipelines mirror standards set by Air Education and Training Command and incorporate collective exercises with units from United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, and other combatant commands.

Equipment and Aircraft

The squadron fields mobile radar suites, command and control shelters, and secure data-link systems compatible with Link 11, Link 16, and Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol. Organic platforms emphasize transportability via aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and coordination with aerial platforms including E-3 Sentry and E-8 Joint STARS for extended surveillance. Communications equipment aligns with standards from the Defense Information Systems Agency and employs encryption managed under National Security Agency guidance. Maintenance and sustainment draw on supply chains involving Air Force Materiel Command and regional logistics hubs.

Deployments and Operations

The squadron has deployed in support of homeland defense airspace control during periods of heightened alert, participating in operations coordinated by North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. Overseas, it has supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom taskings, expeditionary rotations to Kuwait, Qatar, and Afghanistan, and NATO exercises such as Exercise Trident Juncture and Operation Atlantic Resolve. The unit has also taken part in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside United States Agency for International Development and United States Southern Command engagements, contributing to multinational stabilization efforts and training missions with partner air forces from Poland, Romania, Germany, and Italy.

Notable Personnel and Awards

Personnel have received individual and unit recognitions tied to Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and state-level honors administered through the Adjutant General (United States). Squadron members have advanced to positions within Air Combat Command, National Guard Bureau, and joint staffs, and have served as liaisons to organizations including NATO command elements. Distinguished alumni include officers and enlisted leaders who later held commands within Air National Guard wings, joint task forces, and defense industry advisory roles.

Category:Air National Guard units Category:Military units and formations of the United States