The US Air Force's Secret Flying Control Tower

After the September 11, 2001, attack that shook America and the entire world, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty was invoked for the first time in history.

The attack on the US was deemed an attack on all of NATO, and Operation Eagle Assist was executed. Soon, 830 crew members from 13 NATO nations took to the skies, flying the iconic Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft in 360 missions. NATO’s E-3 Sentries now reinforced the US Air Force’s own, and the type was considered the most potent reconnaissance warplane in the world.

In a massive surveillance operation like the world had never seen before, the mighty E-3’s blanketed the American skies tracking every object that flew over US soil.

Time and time again, the Boeing E-3 Sentry has proved to be a marvel of engineering capable of functioning as a mobile radar control tower to serve as America’s eyes in the sky.

Still, after almost five decades of service, the formidable US and NATO asset is being targeted by China, as spy satellites recently unveiled images that could have severe serious implications in the near future…

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[vonschwendeman]

I flew AWACS in the early 80's. We did a test to see how long we could keep the aircraft in the air with air refueling and a full crew. It turned out the limiting factor was when the toilets got full.

[roriquevernonii]

Thanks for posting this, these are my babies! Will share within my community. If you notice the old bare metal plane has number 1408 on the tail. Now, look at my pic! This particular tail was the first military plane I ever flew on while in the military and the last one I worked on before retiring. I'm still with them on the civilian side, now.

[russell]

I was in Anchorage Alaska and actually saw the only E-3 we have lost crash into the Chugate mountains right after takeoff it was caused by bird strikes into at least 2 turbines I'll never forget that day ever

[Raze]

Good video as always man this channel does justice to forgotten titans of old

[carlschneider]

Maintained the E-3's computer and display systems on Okinawa in the early 80's. Great plane. Great assignment.

[writrdude]

My dad had worked for Boeing, he had worked in Wiring Installation Support Group at the Renton plant. After Douglas bought Boeing with Boeing's money, the Renton plant was greatly downsized. But that was after he retired. I remember a few conversations we had about the E-3A, after its existence had become public knowledge. Little more than a passing comment or two, really. I especially remember him talking about the 707 airframe being refitted with the CFM56 engine (used on a couple of the variants, I think) and how there were commercial customers who wanted the FAA to approve it for commercial use so they could extend the life of their 707 fleets a few more years. At that point the 707 was out of commercial production, the airframe was only used for the E-3A and for the tanker variant.
Wasn't really much more he could say at home about it, of course. Never heard a word until after it had become public knowledge.
I did get a brief glance at part of the inside of one at a Boeing Family Day when I was a kid. Of course, all of the screens were dark, there were no labels on the myriad of visible switches that one could make sense of, and one only got a brief glimpse at a very small part of the interior.

[mikeyj]

Was a E 3 Airborne surveillance operator (airborne scope dope) flew in the 963rd and 965th early 80s , flew a few missions to saudi back when they and Iran were throwing stuff at each other.and yes we did have a defensive plan in case someone came our way, it was turn around and dive for the deck as fast and as steep as you could, Have been in the rear a few times when we did this for practice, I knew what it felt like to be weightless for a few seconds
It was a amazing weapons system but sadly its reached its end life hard to get parts now hopefully the new AWACS aircraft comes on soon so the E3 can retire with honor and can rest next to the EC121 one of which is at Tinker AFB tail number 556

[Raze]

Damn good video, would love to see a video on the RC-135 and the E4

[RCAFpolarexpress]

Good evening Sir, Yes Sir I was part of that deployment in Oklahoma back in 2001 👌😇 I was the very first to conceive as per request by Life Support German Officer, the Engine Covers back in 2003 In Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base that you are seeing at 3:14. 😇👌Cheers 🍻🍻

[alm]

3:40 "...it is always escorted by fighters, that would destroy the threat."
*Shows Russian jets*
AWACS crew "Uh, guys..."

[emosmurf]

norfolk, va: our section of the atlantic is 24/7 continuously patrolled by NAS Chambers field E-2C Hawkeye "Hummers". i've heard them roaring over us for decades, day and night. the E-3s and these guys are our eyes on the atlantic. bless 'em all.

[timestampterrysassistant]

Dark skies can you do a video on the Tupolev Tu-95 😘

[rickystandifer]

Very interesting video on the E-3. I've lived my life less than 2 miles from one of the biggest E3 bases. Now, I currently work on that base. One has to assume that the awacs bases and planes are always a top priority for any foreign invaders!!

[ricecakeFTW]

He forgot to mention one of these E-3s and its entire crew were lost when it flew blind into a huge fire cloud when a extraterrestrial force was entering the atmosphere during the invasion of Independence day on the week of July 4th 1996.

[Steve-]

Having hours in the E3a, I can say Unequivocally that the crew's I flew with Never called it an OREO. We DID call it a "SKUNK FLAVORED M&M." Also, in over 5 years as Pilot in Command of the aircraft I only had fighter cover ONCE when we worked to direct the different airplane types involved in the SAR Effort of KAL-007 when a Russian Mig shot down a Korean Airlines B-747 killing all on board. Nor did I have Any air cover on my Numerous flights in Saudia Arabia. However, in today's missions & world tensions, I assume the upgraded airplane has a greater need for air cover. 964th AWACS Toad.

[lyletregoning]

In the UK we’ve been destroying them ourselves for years! None left now! Great success 😩

[detroitredneckdetroitredne]

Would the Chinese version of the plane be called earwax Instead of Awax Please forgive me sometimes they are a funnier when they stay in my head

[Wildfire]

Had a chance to go through one from the 965th in 2018 at an airshow at McConnell AFB (of course no cameras allowed in), and oddly despite people being allowed to go through it, there was a rope perimeter around it complete with the "deadly force authorized" signs). Got one of their patches.

"This is Thunderhead! Cut the chatter!"

[andywhite]

Another interesting video!! The E3 has done sterling service for so long it's easy to forget that it's actually based on an airframe from the 1950's. This is what will ultimately be the cause of it's demise (as well as the other B707 derivatives such as the KC135) although the capability of the radar systems will ultimately be comprised. The US Air Force and NATO have definitely got value for money from this aircraft IMHO.

[Astrofrank]

Fun fact: When the first E-3 were deployed in Europe, they noticed many super-low flying aircraft in Germany. Turned out that some didn't modify the software, which then reported cars on the German autobahn as planes - no general speed limit allowed for regular speeds of more than 200 km/h, which was thought to be a speed only aircraft would reach regularly.