US Air Force, BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq: High over Iraq, an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft surveys hundreds of miles of the country at a time, looking for insurgent activity, controlling those situations and taking action if needed.
The aircraft's crew ultimately keeps ground troops safer by communicating with convoys and directing air power to quell the enemy.
The Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System mission has two parts. The first is to radio relay with convoys throughout Iraq. Through radio and a text-messaging system, convoys can contact Joint STARS for help.
Air National Guard Maj. Thomas Grabowski, senior director on the aircraft, deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He said the Joint STARS is the 911 call for convoys on the ground.
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