WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today reacted to news out of the Pentagon that the Office of the Secretary of Defense has formally approved Milestone-A for the Air Force’s plan to recapitalize the JSTARS fleet.

“I am pleased that the Department of Defense agreed to approve the milestone acquisition decision to permit the next step in recapitalization of the JSTARS fleet,” said Congressman Austin Scott.  “This is an important development for Robins Air Force Base and a crucial step to ensure our nation’s warfighters have the capabilities they need.  Going forward, I will continue to highlight how indispensable this mission is for our national security and will urge the Department of Defense to keep the acquisition timeline on schedule.”

Robins Air Force Base is home to both the 461st Air Control Wing (ACW) and 116th Air Control Wing (ACW), both of which share responsibility for the operations, maintenance and support of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).

Last month, Congressman Austin Scott, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, led a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to urge for approval of JSTARS recapitalization.  The letter was supported by sixty members of Congress.  In addition, he wrote an article for Breaking Defensewhich highlights the importance of JSTARS and the future of the mission.

Congressman Austin Scott represents Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District in Congress, home to Robins and Moody Air Force Bases.

JSTARS Letter to Sec Carter