The rising of USAF's BACN

On 10 February 2023, the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron was activated during a ceremony at Robins AFB (GA). Scramble Magazine first reported on the speeding up of USAF's BACN on 5 June 2021.

The 18th ACCS is a geographically separated unit from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB (ND). In July 2021, Scramble Magazine wrote about the USAF's intentions regarding the fielding of the BACN.

Flying the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft, the 18th ACCS will be tasked with communications relay and its gateway systems will provide military commanders with versatile means of exchanging information from multiple air, ground and maritime sources. Those sources and sharing will include the host nation (Joint forces) and coalition forces.

The 430th Expeditionary Electronic Communications Squadron, which also operates the E-11A, a Bombardier Global 6000/ 6500 derative, is normally to be found at various bases in the Middle East in support of US Central Command's (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility. In September 2022, Scramble Magazine assessed that there would be an E-11B designation. As it stands now, that designation now seems to be doubtful.

As for Robins, the first BACN aircraft is expected to arrive this coming spring and the 18th ACCS is expected to reach Full Operational Capability (FOC) by fiscal year 2027.

Photos via USAF