116th Air Control Wing

The 116th Air Control Wing was the first Air Force wing "blended" from active-duty and Air National Guard airmen -- the active-duty 93rd Air Control Wing and the Air National Guard's 116th Bomb Wing. This page contains links and resources of the 116th Air Control Wing, but for additional resources, you may visit Air Combat Command, Air Force Link or the Air National Guard.

116th ACW Mission

"Active Associate" Wing providing joint airborne C2ISR and combat support forces to meet state and national objectives. The 116th ACW is the only Air Force unit operating the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS), the most advanced ground surveillance and battle management system in the world. Joint STARS detects, locates, classifies, tracks and targets ground movements on the battlefield, communicating real-time information through secure data links with U.S. Forces command posts.

116th ACW

The Georgia Air National Guard redesignated the 116th Bomb Wing here at Robins AFB as the 116th Air Control Wing (ACW) on 1 October 2002 after a historic ceremony which also served to inactivate the active-duty 93d ACW. On that day the mission of the 93d became that of the new 116th ACW. The ceremony officially marked the joining of personnel and resources from each wing and the creation of the first ever "blended wing," a mixture of both ANG and active-duty personnel under one commander. It is the first ever U.S. Air Force Wing to activate under the Air Force's Total Force Integration (TFI) concept, which will eventually combine U.S. Air Force active-duty and reserve components world wide. Fact sheet

Total Force Integration

Total Force Integration incorporates innovative organizational constructs with a smaller, more capable force structure to leverage increased capability from new technology and capitalize on the wealth of talent inherent in the active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve components. Total Force Integration drives the dynamic and effective integration of all Air Force components to provide unparalleled air, space and cyber power for the joint warfighter. Fact sheet

Air Combat Command Mission

Air Combat Command is the primary force provider of combat airpower to America's warfighting commands. To support the global implementation of national security strategy, ACC operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and electronic-combat aircraft. It also provides command, control, communications and intelligence systems, and conducts global information operations.

As a force provider, ACC organizes, trains, equips and maintains combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring strategic air defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime air defense. ACC numbered air forces provide the air component to U.S. Central, Southern and Northern Commands, with Headquarters ACC serving as the air component to Joint Forces Command. ACC also augments forces to U.S. European, Pacific and Strategic Command.

Dept. of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force is headquartered in the Pentagon, Washington D.C. The service is organized in nine major commands throughout the world which provide combat aircraft, airlift, refueling, reconnaissance and other support to the Unified Combatant Commands.

The Air Force also has more than three dozen field operating agencies and direct reporting units which directly support the mission by providing unique services.

Together with Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces, the United States Air Force is the best in the world.

The Secretary of the Air Force is Deborah Lee James, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Vice Chief of Staff is Gen. Stephen W. Wilson and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is CMSAF James A. Cody.

93rd ACW History

The 93rd Air Control Wing was activated at Robins AFB, Georgia on 29 January 1996. It was to be equipped with the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) and it accepted its first production aircraft on 11 June 1996. From late October through December 1996, the wing deployed to Rhein-Main AB, Germany for operations JOINT ENDEAVOR and JOINT GUARD in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It provided "top cover" for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces and monitored the warring factions for violations of UN resolutions. Fact sheet

116th BW History

The heritage of the 116th Bomb Wing can be traced to Mitchell Field, New York, where it was formed on 28 September 1942, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. Shortly afterwards on 1 October 1942, it was redesignated as the 353rd Fighter Group and assigned to 8th Air Force. The new unit flew missions in support of the D-Day landings in Normandy during WWII and participated in the Ardennes, Northern France, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns. The 353rd was honored with a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for actions over Holland in 1944 and finished the war with 35 aces and over 300 kills of enemy aircraft. Fact sheet

Air Force Mission

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace.

To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision:

The United States Air Force will be a trusted and reliable joint partner with our sister services known for integrity in all of our activities, including supporting the joint mission first and foremost. We will provide compelling air, space, and cyber capabilities for use by the combatant commanders. We will excel as stewards of all Air Force resources in service to the American people, while providing precise and reliable Global Vigilance, Reach and Power for the nation.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible:

Air and Space Superiority: With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.

Global Attack: Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.

Rapid Global Mobility: Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.

Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.

Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.

Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.