Posted: 07/05/2018
Members of the JSTARS team join members of Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, Denmark, for a group photo in front of an E-8C Joint STARS, June 8, 2018. The teamwork demonstrates the interoperability among our units in Europe and cements our ability to assure our allies, respond to threats and ensure support to global operations. The JSTARS team consists of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th ACW, plus active duty personnel assigned to the 461st ACW and Army JSTARS. They are in Denmark to participate in Exercise Baltic Operations, or BALTOPS, June 4-15 and Saber Strike 18 from June 3-15. JSTARS brings a unique, manned, joint airborne command control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to the exercises. During BALTOPS, the Georgia Airmen will join military forces from 17 nations to enhance flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate international resolve to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend the Baltic Sea region. The Saber Strike exercise facilitates cooperation between the U.S., Estonia, Latvia Lithuania, Poland, and other allied and partner nations to improve joint operational capability in a variety of missions and prepare the participating nations and units for future operations while enhancing the NATO alliance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons) (Several badges have been blurred in the photo for security purposes)