Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, United States Air Forces Central, has joined with host nation partners to conduct Exercise Yellow Sands, a regional training event designed to strengthen multinational integration in Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). The series of exercises focuses on detecting, tracking, and neutralising aerial threats utilising the E-11A aircraft, equipped with its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN).
The Yellow Sands exercise series is part of US Air Forces Central’s Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense programme, which focuses on the collective defense of the Arabian Peninsula. The exercise evaluates Joint Regional Air Chief member nations’ ability to integrate with coalition partners, engaging regional allies critical to the US Central Command area of responsibility. The E-11A plays a vital role in achieving the exercise’s objectives by serving as a communications bridge, seamlessly connecting the diverse systems used by coalition partners.
“The E-11A is a Bombardier aircraft outfitted with the BACN.” said US Air Force Maj. Giovanni Allevato, 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron E-11A elevator pilot. “This payload enables communication relay through the bridging of voice and data system gateways, allowing for real-time and a seamlessly transparent intraoperative flow of communication for warfighters.”
Connecting dissimilar communication networks enhances real-time information sharing, facilitating seamless communication across voice and data networks. The E-11A is participating in the exercise specifically to bridge diverse systems and unite US forces with regional partners.
Allevato said the BACN ‘payload’ has also been placed on other assets.
For more information
Image: An E-11A takes off during Exercise Yellow Sands within the US Central Command area of responsibility, December 19, 2024. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)
