RT Matthew Hoh: This is the strongest indication to me of the seriousness of the US threat to Iran. The US has deployed more than 2/3 of its available...
RT Matthew Hoh
This is the strongest indication to me of the seriousness of the US threat to Iran. The US has deployed more than 2/3 of its available E3 command/control aircraft to Europe and the Middle East.
The E3 is an incredibly important aircraft. For those unfamiliar, it is the large airplane that looks like an airliner, but with a revolving radar disc on top. The airplane is loaded with an air crew whose job is to observe, manage and control the airspace in its area. It is especially important for directing fighters and ground/sea based missile interceptors against Iranian missiles and drones.
USAF has only 16 E3s total, so 6 of 16 E3s deployed is significant by itself, BUT mission capable rates are 55% for E3s, meaning only 9 are possibly available for operations. The full mission capable rate for the E3 is likely lower, so there may only be 7 or 8 E3s deployable. The Air Force may just have deployed nearly every E3 they have available
This is an example of something the Air Force genuinely wouldn’t do unless it was absolutely necessary. There’s no PR value in this, you get that from the deployed carriers and fighter squadrons. You only deploy these en masse if you need to because they will be used.
The likelihood of that decision not being made is getting smaller and smaller.
https://www.twz.com/air/major-deployment-of-rickety-e-3-sentry-fleet-for-iran-crisis-highlights-worrisome-gaps#:~:text=As%20noted%2C%20the%20U.S.%20Air,released%20for%20the%20E%2D3s.
