AF Recce

This page contains info and photos of the reconnaissance aircraft I flew on during my active duty Air Force career.

RC-135M/V/W RIVET JOINT

The hog-nosed RC-135M/V/W RIVET JOINT reconnaissance aircraft, with its extensive antenna array, provides vital real-time battle management information to mission planners, commanders, and warfighters. The aircraft is a high-altitude version of the C-135, which is a militarized version of the Boeing 707. The RIVET JOINT, owned and operated by the 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, NE, provides direct, near real-time reconnaissance information and electronic warfare support to theater commanders and combat forces. The RIVET JOINT flight crew consists of members of several 55th Wing squadrons. The pilots, navigators, and maintainers are assigned to the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. The electronic warfare officers, known as EWOs or Ravens, and inflight maintenance technicians (IMTs) are from the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron. The 97th Intelligence Squadron makes up the final portion of the crew.

In support of the 55th and U.S. Pacific Command, the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron operates out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and provides pilots and navigators to fly the aircraft. The 390th Intelligence Squadron, also at Kadena, provides the intelligence aircrew members who work in the back of the plane.

I flew on this aircraft from 1979-87 at Kadena, 1987-89 at Offutt, and again at Kadena from 1998-2000.

RC-135U COMBAT SENT

The RC-135U COMBAT SENT is employed as a Scientific and Technical Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Collection System. Two COMBAT SENT RC-135Us are assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, and are flown by crews from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 97th Intelligence Squadron, also at Offutt. USAF Rome Laboratory is using computers and expert systems as enabling technology to re-engineer and improve COMBAT SENT Mission Management.

I flew on this aircraft out of Offutt, RAF Mildenhall, and Hellenikon Air Base, Greece, from 1987-89

EC-130H COMPASS CALL

The EC-130H COMPASS CALL is configured to perform tactical command, control, and communications countermeasures. Specifically, the aircraft uses noise jamming to prevent communication or the transfer of information essential to the command and control of weapon systems and other resources. It primarily supports tactical air operations, but also can provide jamming support to ground force operations. Special features on the aircraft include an electronic countermeasures system (RIVET FIRE), aerial refueling capability, and associated navigation and communications systems. RIVET FIRE demonstrated its effect on enemy command and control networks in Panama and Iraq. The EC-130H carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members are responsible for aircraft flight and navigation, while nine members operate and maintain the RIVET FIRE jamming equipment. The mission crew consists of an electronic warfare officer, who is the mission crew commander (MCC), an experienced cryptologic linguist as the mission crew supervisor (MCS), six analysis operators, and an airborne maintenance technician (AMT). Aided by the automated system, the crew analyze the signal environment, designate targets and ensure the system is operating effectively. Targets can be designated before the mission takes off, acquired in flight or the MCC/MCS can receive additional tasking at any time from outside agencies (i.e. AWACS, RC-135, and Airborne Command and Control System). COMPASS CALL is flown by the 355th Wing's 41st and 43rd Electronic Combat Squadrons at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ.

I flew on this aircraft at Davis-Monthan from 1989-90 and at Sembach Air Base, Germany, from 1990-91. I also flew as a COMPASS CALL crewmember deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, during Operation DESERT STORM from January-March 1991, and again during Operation PROVIDE COMFORT in April 1991.

The E-3A SENTRY is an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications needed by commanders of U.S. and NATO air defense forces. As proven in DESERT STORM, it is the premier air battle command and control aircraft in the world today. The SENTRY is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome. The dome is 30 feet in diameter, 6 feet thick, and is held 11 feet above the fuselage by two struts. It contains a radar subsystem that permits surveillance from the Earth's surface up into the stratosphere, over land or water. The radar has a range of more than 200 miles for low-flying targets, and farther for aerospace vehicles flying at medium-to-high altitudes. The radar combined with an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) subsystem can look down to detect, identify, and track enemy and friendly low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter returns that confuse other radar systems.

I flew on this aircraft out of Kadena from 1983-85.