Top general visits with Joint STARS Airmen and Soldiers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Regina Young
  • 116th Air Control WIng
Team Joint STARS welcomed U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, here Jan. 7.

During the visit, Hostage received a Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft operations briefing, observed hands-on aircraft maintenance tasks, toured the aircraft and attended a breakfast dedicated to Team Joint STARS enlisted members.

Hostage shared information on topics relevant to current and future Joint STARS missions and interacted with wing members during a question and answer session.

While describing his vision to Georgia Air National Guard and Air Force personnel of the 116th and 461st Air Control wings and to the Soldiers of the 138th Military Intelligence Company at a Team JSTARS all-call, Hostage emphasized the combatant commanders' increased demand for Joint STARS communication and surveillance capabilities.

"JSTARS has pioneered the Total Force Initiative." Hostage said. Joint STARS was the first "blended" wing combining Air National Guard and Regular Air Force personnel in 2002.

Hostage thanked Team JSTARS members for their service and underscored their positive impact to the U.S. Air Force, the world's leader in military airpower.

Air Combat Command is the primary force provider of combat airpower to America's warfighting commands. Robins AFB, Ga. is the only location for the Joint STARS aircraft, providing command control intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance for combatant commanders.