Sen. Warnock criticizes Air Force plan to retire E-11 aircraft stationed at Robins Air Force Base
Sen. Raphael Warnock says the proposed retirement of the E-11 BACN fleet would be a major loss for Robins Air Force Base and the Warner Robins community.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Sen. Raphael Warnock is criticizing a reported U.S. Air Force plan to retire the E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft currently stationed at Robins Air Force Base.
According to Warnock’s office, the Air Force plans to divest the E-11 fleet and retire the aircraft in fiscal year 2028.
“I am deeply disappointed by this plan from the U.S. Air Force to phase out and retire the E-11,” Warnock said in a statement.
Currently, the E-11 has served as the only permanently stationed aircraft at Robins Air Force Base since 2023, according to Sen. Raphael Warnock.
“Its divestment would be a major loss for Georgia and the Warner Robins community,” Warnock said.
The senator said his office has contacted the Air Force for an explanation and said he plans to work with Georgia’s congressional delegation and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink if the retirement plan moves forward.
“Should the Air Force move forward with this plan, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Georgia Congressional delegation and Secretary Meink to ensure a strong and sustainable replacement mission is brought to Robins Air Force Base,” Warnock said.
E-11 mission arrived at Robins in 2023
The E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node mission arrived at Robins Air Force Base in 2023 under the newly activated 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron.
According to base officials at the time, the aircraft’s mission focused on extending communication capabilities between military units operating with different radio and data systems.
Lt. Col. Scott Sevigny, commander of the 18th ACCS in 2023, described the aircraft as a system designed to help military units share a common operational picture during missions.
The arrival of the aircraft marked one of several new missions assigned to Robins Air Force Base in recent years.
Air Force budget document references E-11 divestment
A Department of the Air Force fiscal year 2027 posture statement references plans to fully divest the E-11A fleet in fiscal year 2028.
The document states:
“We will fully divest the E-11A in FY2028…”