EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- The Air Force Research Laboratory’s C‑135E Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C41) test bed, whose primary purpose had been to support airborne communications, departed Edwards AFB for the boneyard
A unique flying antenna testbed plays a significant role in the development and integration of battlefield information networks and communications nodes. Moreover, this aircraft’s primary function is to support airborne communications transition to production and fusion into new command and control networks. Based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL’s) C-135E testbed aircraft is a mainstay of communications developmental programs for all the U.S. armed services and some allied nations, Helen Demers points out. She is a senior engineer and airborne communications program manager, operating within the platform connectivity branch of the information grid division in the laboratory’s Information Directorate.
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Arizona. It was established in 1925 as Davis-Monthan Landing Field. The host unit for Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is the 355th Wing assigned to Twelfth Air Force part of Air Combat Command. The base is best known as the location of the Air Force Materiel Command's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group the aircraft boneyard for all excess military and U.S. government aircraft and aerospace vehicles. Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a key ACC installation. The 355th Wing provides A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support and OA-10 forward air controllers to ground forces worldwide. The 355 FW is also the host unit, providing medical, logistical, mission and operational support to all assigned units. The 355 FW is also the sole formal training unit for the A-10 aircraft, providing initial and recurrent training to all U.S. Air Force A-10 and OA-10 pilots, to include those in the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. The 355th is also ACC's executive agent for INF and START treaty compliance.