The Story of AWACS

When AWACS first entered service it represented a major advance in capability, being the first airborne early warning system to use a pulse-doppler radar, which allowed it to track targets normally lost in ground clutter. previously, low-flying aircraft could only be readily tracked over water. The AWACS features a three-dimensional radar that simultaneously measures azimuth, range, and elevation.

AWACS Chronicles: A Journey Through the Skies and History

Welcome to the AWACS Chronicles, your definitive destination for exploring the extraordinary legacy of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). This captivating series delves deep into the evolution, achievements, and impact of one of the most groundbreaking defense programs in aviation history.

🌎 Discover the Birth of a Marvel
Uncover the origins of AWACS during the transformative 1960s—a time when innovation met necessity. Learn about the revolutionary request that birthed the Boeing E-3 Sentry and its iconic “rotodome,” designed to transform early warning capabilities. Follow the program’s milestones, from Cold War triumphs to its essential roles in modern conflicts, peacekeeping, and NATO missions.

✈️ Witness the Majesty of the AWACS Aircraft
Experience the awe of the Boeing E-3 Sentry as it soars through skies worldwide, with its unmistakable radar dome spinning in flight. Journey across vibrant mission theaters, from the Korean Peninsula to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, and from the skies over Germany to the vast expanse of the Pacific. Every image, every mission, and every achievement brings this engineering marvel to life.

📖 Explore the Stories Behind the Missions
Dive into a treasure trove of articles, historical narratives, and rare photographs. Relive the challenges and triumphs that have defined the AWACS program and shaped its role in securing global airspace. Discover the dedication of the airmen and commanders who pushed the boundaries of technology and military strategy.

🌟 AWACS Chronicles 2: Honoring Colonel Jesse Shanks
The second volume of AWACS Chronicles shines a spotlight on Colonel Jesse Shanks, a trailblazer in aerial command and control. Follow his pivotal role in reactivating the 552d Airborne Warning and Control Wing (AWACW) at Tinker Air Force Base, where he revolutionized training for the cutting-edge AWACS system.

📡 Cold War Innovations and Beyond
Journey into the Cold War era with an in-depth look at the SAGE System and the mighty AN/FSQ-7, the largest computer ever built, which enabled real-time tracking of potential threats. Discover how these innovations laid the foundation for modern cyber defense and NATO’s airborne surveillance missions, showcasing the program’s enduring relevance in today’s complex global security landscape.

🔗 Explore more, relive history, and stay inspired by subscribing today!

Buy the books here:

AWACS Chronicles

AWACS Chronicles 2: The Legacy Lives on in NATO

🎨 A Tribute to Creativity and History
This series is more than history—it’s a celebration. Featuring striking photographs, inspiring poems, and a fun trivia quiz, AWACS Chronicles offers an immersive experience for aviation enthusiasts, military historians, and anyone captivated by technological achievements.

🚀 Join the Legacy
Subscribe to the AWACS Chronicles and embark on an incredible journey through the skies and into the heart of innovation. Witness how this program has shaped military history and continues to safeguard our future.

[robertgrady]

Member of first USAF AWACS mission crew. March 31, 1977

[driver]

Spent a lot of time deployed for the 552nd between 1986 and 1997.

[mikeyj]

Proud to have flown on EC121s in the 552nd AEW&CS det 2 and the 552nd AWACS (963rd & 965th) with a stop in between at Kessler in EC130e 7Th ABCCC .Think a great deal of my flight hours was because of Saudi missions lol, I got to see one of the test birds of the E3A which came to a airshow at Homestead AFB,

[RipRoaringGarage]

Eerie video. Lots of periods skipped. Almost like skynet made this video. Why do people find this place so fascinating though? Sure, the 707 is cool and all but its not a UFO. Even if rumors are that the M&M detaches and is recovered in the ocean by the Navy.