116th Air Control Wing
The 116th Air Control Wing is a Georgia Air National Guard and United States Air Force unit specializing in airborne ground surveillance, battle management, intelligence, and command-and-control operations.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 116th Air Control Wing is a military aviation organization of the Georgia Air National Guard, based at Robins Air Force Base near Warner Robins, Georgia. When activated for federal service, it is gained by Air Combat Command. The wing operates the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, commonly known as Joint STARS, and is identified as the only Air National Guard unit operating that aircraft type. Joint STARS is an airborne ground-surveillance and battle-management platform designed to detect, locate, classify, track, and support the targeting of ground forces and moving formations. Information collected by the aircraft can be transmitted through secure data links to commanders and command posts, allowing air and ground forces to coordinate operations beyond the immediate forward edge of the battlefield. The modern 116th Air Control Wing was established on 1 October 2002 as part of the United States Air Force Total Force Initiative. It was created through the reorganization of the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Bomb Wing and the active-duty 93d Air Control Wing. For much of its first decade, the organization operated as a blended active-duty and Air National Guard unit, making it the first and only joint active-duty/Air National Guard unit of its kind at the time. That arrangement ended on 30 September 2011, when the blended wing was inactivated. On 1 October 2011, the 116th returned to the sole jurisdiction of the Georgia Air National Guard while retaining its air-control mission. The wing's present structure includes the 116th Operations Group, 116th Maintenance Group, 116th Mission Support Group, and supporting communications, security forces, medical, engineering, intelligence, and combat-communications organizations. The 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron operates the Joint STARS aircraft, while the 139th Intelligence Squadron contributes intelligence support. Other listed elements include the 116th Operations Support Squadron, 129th Combat Training Squadron, 116th Communications Squadron, 116th Security Forces Squadron, 116th Medical Group, 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron, and 283d Combat Communications Squadron. Although the wing's current identity dates from 2002, its organizational lineage reaches back to early National Guard aviation. The lineage of the 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron can be traced to the 840th Aero Squadron, established in 1918, and to the 128th Observation Squadron, reformed in 1941. The wider 116th lineage includes fighter, air-defense, transport, tactical-aircraft, bomber, and airborne-command-and-control eras. It served in Japan and Korea during the Korean War, later operated interceptor and transport aircraft, flew tactical fighters during the Cold War, converted to F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighters, and then moved from Dobbins Air Force Base to Robins Air Force Base in 1996 to operate B-1B Lancer bombers. The B-1 period ended after defense-force restructuring and reductions in the Air Force's B-1B fleet. The aircraft assigned to the wing were placed in active storage, and the unit was transformed into an airborne command-and-control organization. The 116th therefore represents a succession of changing military capabilities rather than a commercial product brand: its institutional role has evolved in response to national defense requirements, aircraft modernization, force-structure decisions, and the changing relationship between the active Air Force and the Air National Guard.
History
The 116th Air Control Wing is the modern successor to a long-running Georgia National Guard aviation lineage. One of its principal operational components, the 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, traces its lineage to the 840th Aero Squadron, formed on 1 February 1918. It was later reconstituted as the 128th Observation Squadron on 1 May 1941, one of the original National Guard observation squadrons organized before the United States entered the Second World War. During the Korean War, the 116th Fighter Group was federalized on 10 October 1950. It was redesignated the 116th Fighter-Bomber Group, assigned to Tactical Air Command, and moved to George Air Force Base in California. The wing organization was activated there on 1 November 1950. Initially flying Lockheed F-80C Shooting Stars, the unit began operational training before transitioning to Republic F-84E Thunderjets in 1951. The wing was ultimately sent to Japan rather than Europe. Its aircraft and personnel deployed through naval transport, and the squadrons operated from Japanese bases including Misawa and Chitose. The unit initially supported Japanese air defense and trained for air-to-ground operations. In December 1951, elements began combat operations from Taegu Air Base in South Korea against targets in North Korea. Missions included attacks on railway infrastructure and close air support. The wing's combat activity included engagements with North Korean MiG-15s and losses to antiaircraft fire. On 25 December 1951, Captain Paul C. Mitchell Jr. was credited with destroying a MiG-15, described in the source history as the 116th Wing's only credited aerial victory during the conflict. The wing returned to combat operations in 1952 and was relieved from active duty on 10 June of that year. Its remaining aircraft and equipment were transferred to the 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing. After returning to state control, the wing was redesignated the 116th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and allotted to the Georgia Air National Guard. It was activated at Dobbins Air Force Base and assigned an air-defense role under Air Defense Command when mobilized. The wing first operated North American F-51H Mustangs, then converted to F-84D Thunderjets and F-84F Thunderstreaks. In 1958, the wing implemented the Air Defense Command runway-alert program, requiring interceptors to maintain a rapid launch posture. The F-84s were replaced in 1960 by North American F-86L Sabres, which were designed for all-weather interception and integration with the SAGE air-defense system. In 1961, the wing shifted from air defense to strategic air transport. Military Air Transport Service became its gaining command, and the unit exchanged its Sabres for Boeing C-97 Stratofreighters. The wing conducted long-distance missions to locations including the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, and the Middle East. In 1966, Military Airlift Command replaced MATS, and the wing upgraded to Douglas C-124 Globemaster II heavy transports. Vietnam War requirements led to missions across the Pacific, including flights to Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, South Vietnam, Okinawa, and Thailand. Following the Vietnam era, changing transport requirements and the retirement of the C-124 resulted in another mission change. In 1974, the wing returned to Tactical Air Command and received North American F-100 Super Sabre tactical fighter-bombers. The 128th flew the F-100 for approximately six years, with the final aircraft departing Dobbins in 1979 as the type was removed from service. During the early 1980s, the unit operated Republic F-105 Thunderchief Wild Weasel aircraft and later McDonnell F-4 Phantom II fighter-bombers. In 1986, it received McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle air-superiority fighters. The F-15 era continued for about a decade, and the wing received multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards during its tactical-fighter period. Post-Cold War restructuring brought another major transition. In 1992, the wing adopted the Air Force Objective organization and was assigned to the newly established Air Combat Command after Tactical Air Command was inactivated. In 1996, after approximately half a century at Dobbins, the wing converted from the F-15 to the Rockwell B-1B Lancer and moved to Robins Air Force Base. It operated the bomber during deployments and exercises while making use of facilities associated with the former Strategic Air Command alert mission. The B-1 assignment was short-lived. In 2002, fiscal and force-structure decisions reduced the Air Force's B-1B inventory and removed Air National Guard B-1 aircraft from the operational fleet. The 116th's older aircraft were placed in active storage, preserving the possibility of future reactivation. On 1 October 2002, the 116th Bomb Wing and the active-duty 93d Air Control Wing were inactivated and replaced by the 116th Air Control Wing. The new wing was built as a blended active-duty and Air National Guard organization and received E-8C Joint STARS aircraft. The Joint STARS mission gave the wing a specialized role in airborne command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and ground-force targeting support. The aircraft uses radar and communications systems to develop a picture of ground activity and distribute that information to commanders. In 2006, an assessment of the wing's engineering facilities identified its compound as one of the poorest in the Air National Guard, leading to planning and funding for a replacement or adapted facility. The blended structure was discontinued on 30 September 2011. On 1 October 2011, the unit resumed operation as a Georgia Air National Guard wing while continuing its Joint STARS-related mission.
- 2011
Returned to sole Georgia Air National Guard jurisdiction
[1]The blended active-duty and Guard organization was ended on 30 September, and the wing resumed operation as a Georgia Air National Guard unit on 1 October.
- 2006
Engineering-facility improvement planning initiated
[1]A National Guard Bureau assessment identified the engineering compound as severely deficient, prompting planning and funding for improved facilities.
- 2002
116th Air Control Wing established
[1]The former 116th Bomb Wing and active-duty 93d Air Control Wing were replaced by the blended 116th Air Control Wing, equipped with E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.
- 1996
Converted to B-1B bombers and moved to Robins
[1]The wing left Dobbins Air Force Base, relocated to Robins Air Force Base, and transitioned from F-15 Eagles to Rockwell B-1B Lancers.
- 1992
Assigned to Air Combat Command
[1]Following the inactivation of Tactical Air Command, the wing entered the Air Combat Command structure.
- 1986
Received F-15A Eagle fighters
[1]The wing replaced its Vietnam-era F-4 aircraft with F-15A air-superiority fighters.
- 1974
Returned to the tactical-fighter mission
[1]The wing was reassigned to Tactical Air Command and re-equipped with North American F-100 Super Sabres.
- 1966
Upgraded to C-124 Globemaster II aircraft
[1]After the creation of Military Airlift Command, the wing became the first Air National Guard unit to receive the Douglas C-124 strategic heavy airlifter.
- 1961
Converted from interceptors to air transport
[1]The wing joined the Military Air Transport Service structure and began operating Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter aircraft.
- 1958
Runway-alert air-defense program adopted
[1]The wing began maintaining interceptors in a rapid-launch posture under the Air Defense Command alert program.
Products and positioning
A specialized Air National Guard air-control organization positioned around persistent airborne ground surveillance, battle management, intelligence support, and interoperable command and control.
Airborne command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft
E-8C Joint STARS
The E-8C Joint STARS is the wing's defining operational platform. Its airborne radar and battle-management systems monitor ground activity, identify and track moving formations, and distribute situational information through secure communications links. The aircraft supports theater commanders by connecting airborne surveillance with ground operations, targeting, and broader command-and-control networks.
Strategic bomber · 1996
B-1B Lancer
The 116th operated B-1B Lancer bombers after converting from F-15 fighters in 1996 and relocating to Robins Air Force Base. The assignment supported deployments and exercises during the late 1990s and early 2000s, but the Air National Guard B-1 fleet was subsequently removed from operational service and the wing's aircraft were placed in active storage.
Air-superiority fighter · 1986
F-15A Eagle
The wing flew McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagles from 1986 until its conversion to the B-1B mission in 1996. This period continued the 116th's Cold War tactical-fighter role and contributed to a strong record of operational performance, including multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
Marketing campaigns
- 1996B-1B deployment and exercise operations
International deployment locations
After converting to B-1B bombers, the wing conducted deployments and exercises from Robins Air Force Base as part of the post-Cold War bomber force.
Outcome. The bomber mission ended during the 2002 force-structure reduction, leading to the wing's conversion into an air-control organization.
- 1961Global airlift operations
Caribbean · Europe · Greenland · Middle East · Pacific
During its C-97 and C-124 transport eras, the wing conducted long-range airlift missions supporting Air Force requirements across multiple regions, including the Pacific theater during the Vietnam War.
Outcome. The transport mission continued until the wing returned to tactical aviation in 1974.
- 1951Korean War air operations
Korean Peninsula · Japan
The wing deployed F-84E Thunderjets to Japan and sent individual squadrons to South Korea for combat missions. Operations included railway interdiction, close air support, and attacks on targets in North Korea.
Outcome. The wing completed its federalized Korean War service in June 1952 and returned to state control.
Brand decisions
2011
End of blended active-duty and Guard structureStrategyBackground
The joint organization created under the Total Force Initiative was discontinued after operating as a combined active-duty and Georgia Air National Guard unit.
Action taken
The blended wing was inactivated on 30 September 2011, and the 116th was reactivated under the sole jurisdiction of the Georgia Air National Guard on 1 October.
Aftermath
The unit retained its 116th Air Control Wing designation and continued its Joint STARS-related mission as a Guard organization.
2002
Transition from B-1B bombers to Joint STARS air controlStrategyBackground
Defense-force restructuring and reductions in the Air Force's B-1B fleet removed Air National Guard B-1 aircraft from the operational inventory.
Action taken
The 116th Bomb Wing was inactivated and replaced by the 116th Air Control Wing, which received E-8C Joint STARS aircraft and a command-and-control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission.
Aftermath
The wing became a blended active-duty and Air National Guard organization and developed a distinctive airborne ground-surveillance role.
Recent events
- 2011
Blended-wing arrangement ended and the unit returned to Georgia Air National Guard control[1]
Leadership change
The joint active-duty and Air National Guard structure was inactivated on 30 September 2011. The 116th was reactivated the following day under the sole jurisdiction of the Georgia Air National Guard.
- 2002
116th Air Control Wing established as a blended active-duty and Air National Guard unit[1]
Other
The former 116th Bomb Wing and active-duty 93d Air Control Wing were inactivated and replaced by the newly designated 116th Air Control Wing. The new organization operated E-8C Joint STARS aircraft under the Total Force Initiative.
Sources2 sources
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