TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
Airmen from the 552nd Air Management Wing gathered to bid farewell to plane 0560, throughout an occasion commemorating the plane’s wealthy historical past March 31.
Plane 0560 is the primary E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning Air Management System plane to retire from the fleet this 12 months. As a part of the FY23 President’s Finances Request, the Division of the Air Power introduced its intent to divest 13 E-3 AWACS plane and redirect funding to acquire and discipline a substitute.
“Whereas some may even see the divestment as the tip of an period, the retirement of this plane marks the start of modernization for the 552nd,” stated Col. Keven Coyle, 552nd ACW commander. “Regardless of a fleet discount the mission will stay the identical, offering worldwide administration in addition to command and management operations as required.”
The ultimate vacation spot for plane 0560 will probably be with the 309th Aerospace Upkeep and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Power Base. AMARG, America’s Airpower Reservoir, is a one-of-a-kind specialised facility inside the Air Power Sustainment Heart, offering plane preservation and storage, elements reclamation, disposal preparation, plane regeneration to flying standing, and depot upkeep for America’s army companies, U.S. authorities companies, and allied governments.
By retiring the E-3, the 552nd can give attention to prioritizing the well being of the remaining fleet. Divesting a part of the fleet will enhance sustainability by including excessive demand, low availability elements again into the availability chain, offering a short lived enchancment for plane availability.
Wanting into the long run, the Air Power has thought of and assessed appropriate E-3 AWACS replacements to align with the operational wants. On April 26, 2022, the Air drive publicized its intent to exchange a portion of the AWACS with the E-7A plane. The Boeing E-7A is the one platform able to assembly the necessities for the Protection Division’s tactical battle administration, command and management and air shifting goal indicator capabilities.
“After intensive market analysis and evaluation, it was decided the E-7 is essentially the most suitable to fulfill our necessities,” said Coyle. “The plane is not going to solely present modernization, but in addition set up a tri-lateral data and manning alternate program with the Royal Australian Air Power and the UK’s Royal Air Power, who already function on the E-7.”
The primary E-3 AWACS arrived at Tinker March 23, 1977. Since then, many of the plane have been housed and sustained right here. Though the basing technique for the E-7 has not but been finalized, the prevailing infrastructure will probably be thought of as basing and sustainment choices are evaluated. The E-3 AWACS group values the long-standing relationship between Tinker AFB and Oklahoma.
