Brand new E-11A now operating from Saudi Arabia

The 430th Expeditionary Electronic Communications Squadron (EECS), also known as the “Black Wolves,” recently received a brand new E-11A aircraft to add to their fleet.

A new U.S. Air Force E-11A BACN aircraft taxis through a “bird bath” at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dec. 16, 2022. This E-11A is the newest addition to 430th Expeditionary Electronic Communications Squadron’s fleet. Commonly known as Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, or BACN, this aircraft extends the range of communications channels and enables better communication amongst units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Bowman)

This new aircraft, which arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia on Dec. 16, 2022, will help the Black Wolves maintain a high mission capable rate and provide reliable support for combat airpower.

Essentially functioning as a low earth satellite, or “Wi-Fi in the sky,” the E-11A is used to extend aerial command and control capabilities to air assets and troops on the ground. It is the only aircraft of its kind in the U.S. Air Force, and all of the pilots in the 430th EECS are volunteers from other airframes.

The service is planning to establish a new E-11A BACN squadron at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia in February 2023. The 430th EECS will play a key role in helping the Air Force establish a traditional model with one home station squadron and a deployed squadron.

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