961st Airborne Air Control Squadron

961st Airborne Air Control Squadron
U.S.A.F. · Public domain · source
Unit name	961st Airborne Air Control Squadron
Caption	E-3 Sentry conducting airborne warning and control operations
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Airborne command and control
Garrison	Tinker Air Force Base
Nickname	Hawkeyes
Equipment	Boeing E-3 Sentry
Battles	Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom

961st Airborne Air Control Squadron is an airborne warning and control unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron area of operations and hosted at Tinker Air Force Base. The squadron provides theater-wide airborne command and control, surveillance, and battle management for United States Central Command, United States European Command, and allied operations. Its mission integrates sensors, communications, and aircrew to support joint task forces during Operation Allied Force and large-scale combat operations.

Overview

The squadron operates the airborne early warning and control platform Boeing E-3 Sentry to perform theater-wide command, control, communications, computers, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions supporting North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United States Southern Command, and Pacific Air Forces operations. Crews routinely work with personnel from United States Navy, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and other allied air services to coordinate air superiority, interdiction, and close air support sorties during combined operations such as Operation Deny Flight and Operation Unified Protector.

History

Activated in the early Cold War era amid expanding Strategic Air Command and tactical control needs, the squadron traces its lineage through multiple redesignations and consolidations with radar surveillance and airborne control antecedents associated with Air Combat Command and Air Force Reserve Command. During the Vietnam War, elements provided airborne radar coverage and fighter control coordinating with Seventh Air Force and Pacific Air Forces assets. In the post-Cold War era the squadron supported Operation Provide Comfort and enforcement operations linked to United Nations mandates. During Operation Desert Storm it supported coalition air campaigns with airborne surveillance and deconfliction for multinational strike packages.

Operations and Deployments

Deployments include rotational operations to Al Udeid Air Base, RAF Waddington, and Andersen Air Force Base in support of Global War on Terrorism taskings such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit has conducted maritime surveillance for U.S. Sixth Fleet and provided airborne battle management during Operation Noble Anvil and Operation Allied Force, integrating with assets from NATO and bilateral partners like French Air Force and Luftwaffe. Humanitarian and noncombatant evacuation operations have involved coordination with United States European Command and United States Central Command joint task forces under Joint Task Force structures.

Aircraft and Equipment

Primary aircraft is the Boeing E-3 Sentry, equipped with an AN/APY-1/2 radar and mission systems allowing linkages to Link 16, Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, and secure datalinks used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces. The squadron works with aerial refueling support from Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and integrates intelligence feeds from platforms such as the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk and the Lockheed U-2. Tactical coordination often employs systems interoperable with Airborne Warning and Control System networks and ground nodes associated with Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System and theater air control centers.

Squadron Lineage and Honors

The squadron carries campaign credits for operations in Vietnam War air campaigns, Operation Desert Storm coalition operations, and Operation Enduring Freedom. It has received unit awards including the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and commendations tied to expeditionary deployments supporting United States Central Command campaigns. Lineage includes activations, inactivations, and consolidations reflecting organizational changes across Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Force Reserve Command administrative histories.

Command Structure and Bases

Administratively assigned under numbered air forces within Air Combat Command and operationally tasked by combatant commands such as United States Central Command and North Atlantic Treaty Organization combined air component commands. Home station is Tinker Air Force Base with forward operating locations at Al Udeid Air Base, RAF Waddington, Andersen Air Force Base, and expeditionary basing for operations in Southwest Asia. Squadron command elements coordinate with theater air control systems, Combined Air Operations Center staffs, and joint force air component commanders to execute airborne command and control mission sets.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force