Inside the Air Force's Flying Control Tower | E-3 Sentry
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- Опубликовано: 26 май 2024
- Get ready to go behind the scenes of The Flying Control Tower - the Air Force's E-3 Sentry!
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Special thanks to the incredible team at Tinker AFB for hosting me!
Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 The Mission
1:35 Historical Flashback
2:27 The Specs
3:12 Fixing a 40-Year Old Aircraft
6:28 Flight Equipment & Intelligence
7:49 Inside the E-3 Sentry
10:35 The Flight Deck
11:56 The Takeoff
12:40 Conclusion
Views expressed in this video are my own and do not represent the official views of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense
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Spent 14 years crawling through that thing as a Radar maintainer out there at Tinker before I left in 2014 to get my engineering degree. This is probably the best outside coverage I've seen of the bird. Thank you for highlighting the maintainers and not just the flyers like many tend to do. It'll be weird seeing her go......but it really is her time. They're tired Ol' girls who earned their retirement!
How was it during the Mass evacuation before may 20 2013 I'm pretty sure it was very busy for all of the personal?
Was there at Tinker in 1981 myself, and worked as radar maint swing shift supervisor for a bit before I got out. Share the video did not see the lower bit of the bird, guess they could not show the transmitters for some reason.
@@pro-libertate I don't want to make you feel old so I won't tell you you were crawling around the dome and lower lobes the year I was born.......ooops 😉
The radar technician was going to say something about the 2nd antenna but was cut-off. What does the 2nd antenna do?
@@johnsmith7465 Tells us if its a bad guy or not 😉
Sam thanks for posting this. My Dad was the Principle Engineer on the AWACS. He started working for Boeing in 1964 and I believe he was on that project from the start. He integrated the Raydome to the computers and after that was done he modified the design of the rotation pieces for the raydome to use common manufacturers so parts availability would be available world wide. He then went on to support the sales team to sell them to NATO. It was really his life's work. It was also classified information so I never really knew what he did since he couldn't speak about it. He passed away in 1999 (When I was 16) and at his funeral I learned from his co-workers what he did, but never really got to see one up close. A couple years ago I noticed that the ones I saw most of my life at Boeing Field were no longer there and I realized I'd probably never get to see on up close. Thanks for making that happen it was a treat. Maybe one day I'll be able to see one in person. Cheers
Hi Mark, my dad flew that plane based at Boing Field and transitioned into the NATO program after retiring from the Air Force in 1997. Our parents probably worked together. My dad passed away in 2013.
@@ncongellimay he rest in peace
Can't wait too. It's been on my radar ever since it was announced.
I see what you did there 😉
You win! 😆
I’ve been saving up for it
My interest in this topic has really taken off!
Har har 🤦
I worked & flew on the E-3 when they were first being delivered to Tinker AFB for the USAF & to Geilenkirchen AB for NATO. I'm an old man now, but to this day I look at those years as being my fondest. It was nice to see what has been updated over the years (& what hasn't). Thanks for triggering those memories.
I was stationed at Offut AFB in the early 1970’s and saw this machine takeoff and land many times. I was in military intelligence at the time and never saw the inside of this machine.
As of 4/27/22, the US Air Force officially selected the E-7 Wedgetail (modified Boeing 737) to replace the iconic E-3 Sentry. So glad I was able to get out here to cover this aircraft while it's still around. And of course can't wait to make a video on the E-7 when I can get the chance. 😉
So cool
Yea, just whent to the raf museum, so I'm in aircraft mode
and the P-8 please
You can thank Australia and Boeing for the Wedgetail.
Thanks for this update! Can’t wait to see the E-7!
My father loved this Aircraft like one of his kids till the day he died (Feb22). When he became a flyer he started on EC-121 and moved on to the E-3 from 77-91.
He was always so proud of the craft and its crew, Both past and present.
He told us some good story's from missions passed.
The E-3 took him and our family all over the world and brought so many good people into our lives.
It will be a sad day when they finally retire the E-3.
Thank you for such a good video!
Hi Sir, I knew your father. He was a great man. I flew on the E-3 as a computer tech.”Funky” Cruze Medina was humble and knew the aircraft and his job like no one else. He is dearly missed.
I thank you both for your service.
@@RonBarracuda I'm just now seeing this!! Thank you for sharing this and your service
Sam, your videos are probably the best the USAF has produced highlighting aircraft and the crews/mxs people making the mission happen. You and your crew should be proud of the great professional videos that you’ve produced. Please keep up the awesome work!
So Is Sam and his crew working for the USAF. In other words did the USAF hire his team to do these videos? Maybe as a recruitment tool.
@@eastender74 He's a USAF Officer, so I assume this is part of his job
yeah this kid reeks of PA
@@eastender74no he is making these on his own. The Air Force let’s him (or encourages him) because it gets people interested in joining the Air Force.
The CC you add in every video really help many non-native English speakers who are not familiar with the aviation vocabulary. A massive thank you for that!
Of course! So glad to hear you like the CC.
Hey Sam! I’m at Davis Monthan AFB and I fly on the EC-130H compass call. I would love for you to come to visit so we can do one of these videos on the EC-130H and our jamming capabilities before it goes away and we transition to the EC-37B!
Are you the CO there?
Just a basic question. Can it jamm every frequency from communication to ground/airborne search radars?
EC-37B looks like EL/W-2085 AEW&C. It has a big pannels on both sides and it looks like they are for air search. Can EC-37B do air search other than jamming
@@ismt101 Stupid question that he'll never answer. Classified to hell and back my friend
@@ismt101 You've gotta know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody to get that question answered. Great questions nonetheless
I spent 15 of my 21 in the 552 so this was amazing to watch! Well done! I think the best part of this video was you interviewed young Airmen instead of just officers or SNCOs.
Of course! Wanted to make sure to give the Airmen a shoutout for all they do
I'm glad you visited the maintainers. Those guys work their butts off keeping these older planes in flying form.
Yeah, would have been nice to hear more about the Rotodome from the crew and not the host. Talking over that guy and never let him finish his thought.
This was especially special for me to watch.
My father worked at Boeing for 37 years, including over ten years as a draft engineer in systems maintenance for the AWACS Program. Great stuff!! Thank you for showing it off.
That is awesome!
@@SamEckholm the engines are not high bypass
That was incredible! Thank you for tour, Sam!
First before thi# blows up
This is so interesting! It's really amazing how they've kept that airframe flying all these decades. It must take an enormous amount of work inspecting and maintaining every inch of that airframe to keep it airworthy. I've always wondered if those engines are so long because they're very old or if they have a mixer. I hope the Air Force will let you show off the next-gen AWACS plane.
The TF-33 is just a military version of the JT3D, which was the engine of the day when the AWACS was developed.
@@canders37 whatever that means..
That is just what those types of jet engines looked like back then. These use a less efficient turbofan that is lower bypass than current designs.
My dad is an Air Battle Manager in an Awacs, those old e3’s break down all the time, he was supposed to be deployed last year so we dropped him off at the AFB and said our goodbyes only for him to call about an hour later asking us to come pick him up because the plane broke.
He ended up leaving the next day.
As a person who frequently goes to tinker I already love this
Agreed, E3s and KC135s are always so cool to see fly over coming to/from tinker!
Excited to find this video. I was part of the original Air Force AWACS test and development team at Boeing Field in Seattle during the mid 70s. I left the project after the first deliveries were made to the 552nd. Thanks for the memories and current info about "my airplane".
Fantastic video! I’m ex-Royal Air Force and a good friend of mine was the officer commanding the squadron of E-3’s at RAF Waddington. He loved working on them as a weapons controller. Shame we have to wait until 2023 for our Wedgetails.
Nice one Stuart for your service with the royal air force my late father also in RAF as a radio operator (Morse code) the cold war 🏴👍
707
Sam, great video work. I was a Mission Crew Commander on AWACS and flew many years as the mission equipment was continually modified. You got to see the latest and probably last major modification of the system. The E-3 G (the version you saw) was the only version I did not fly but at least saw the development of. Nice of you to show the maintenance and support elements of the 552 Air Control Wing.
Really cool to see how far this channel has come, absolutely killing it
This was incredibly well done Sam! I’m a huge fan of your work and as a big fan of the 707 in general, this was an incredible experience! Thanks for the tour!
NOOOO, I thought it was already out until I saw 48 HOURS, AHHHH, CANT WAIT
IM GOING INSAINE!
@@x30thdivision96
Jesus
I have over 3k hrs on the E-3 but I don’t think I’ve heard the dome referred to as the “Oreo” until today, ha. Really nice job on the video!
Formally "flew" Seat 8 (CDMT at the 965th). I got out in 04. I've def heard it called the oreo - haha. Baby J
How about skunk-flavored M&M?
As a 🇨🇦 I was privileged to fly with the great folks of the 962 AACS for 4 years … Maintainers Rock!
Formally "flew" Seat 8 (CDMT at the 965th). I got out in 04. Baby J
My Dad worked on these awesome machines over 40 years ago at Boeing in Seattle and I remember him telling me about crawling around in the radome. I've always had a special place in my heart for these beautiful birds. RIP Dad. Thanks for this video, Sam.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
@@SamEckholm the engines are not high bypass
The Boeing 707 whether in civilian or military use is one of my favorite airliners hands down. Its incredible they have lasted 65 years. Its going to be sad to see them go. I hope they keep a few flying in a demo team or something like that to honor its legacy.
It’s going to be weird seeing no more flying saucers when the Wedgetails hit the fleet. Hard to believe these were first introduced as an integral component of the AirLand Battle doctrine.
Knowing Boeing we probably have 20 more years before we need to phase these out.
You won't be disappointed when the wedgetails arrive, Australia developed and has been using them for almost 2 decades. THey've repeatedly shown to be superior to the E-3 through multiple training and active war fighting areas.
We in AWACS always called the RotoDome our Skunk-flavored M&M.
With this video, you answered so many of my haunting questions. Thanks so much. We all should be so proud and grateful to you and the crews. AWESOME!!!!!!
Really nice job on this video -- can't believe it's been 20 years since I last flew one! Fun to realize some of the Airmen you interviewed had not yet been born, and probably none of the Airmen interviewed were even in the Air Force then.
Had the chance to see one of these beautiful airplanes at an airshow. Never thought I'd ever hear those beautiful engines in person
Having grown up close to a NATO base where these were stationed, I don't share the same admiration for those TF33's as you. :-)
I hope they send at least one to an air museum somewhere when they're decommissioned.
Sam, Great job telling us about the aircraft while maintaining the op-sec of such a critical asset! What amazes me is these SRA (and E-4's in all the services) that are like 20yr old kids who manage the responsibility for life safety and mission success so the officers can do their work!
Thanks for sharing this. My dad was a flight commander for the E-3 out of Tinker from 1980-1986, prior to that he flew KC-135's out of Loring AFB. We eventually ended up in Washington where he was the flight commander for the E-3 test plane Boeing worked on in the 90's. I remember touring through the aircraft as a kid. I lost my dad in 2013, so now I really long to re-live moments like getting to walk through my dad's plane and sit at the controls. If there's any old Tinker or AWACS guys who see this my dad would have been Captain Robert (Bob) Congelli, retired as Lt. Co. in 1997. Would love to connect with anyone who knew him.
That's a damn good inside view into the AWACS ops. Thanks for sharing with us Sam!
The 707 Airframe has served us well and continues to serve at this critical time of need.
Thanks for putting this together and posting it. Very informative.
Plate C
Super informative… who knew! Thanks for bringing us Civilians this great content Sam. Keep doing what you do. ✈️👏😎
The best that I have seen on this type of Air Force aircraft. Short but excellent coverage. Thank You so much and keep up your great work.
was a cop in AF. my 1st assignment was iceland...and there was a couple AWACs got to go onboard THAT was cool! loved this AC
My dad was an ABM in the E3. There was a time when I was enlisted and working on some components of the E3 in the back shop at Robins AFB. So while he was flying on the jet, I was helping maintain it. Cool video, keep it up.
Also, you mentioned Transformers, my dad also was involved in the filming of the second movie. He has photos with him and the cast while they were working on E3 related scenes. 😊
Nice job! I was an E-3 crew dog for a number of years and I love watching them fly over my house now. This video will help me explain the plane to my grandson. Thanks.
Dave, What was your AFSC?
@@trueclassiccars I was an MCC - Air Battle Manager (17XX)
During my first time in Iceland in 1985-1986, I got to hitch a ride on an AWACS along with my colleague. It was an orientation flight, of course, and we got to see the surveillance and weapons control crew at work. The fun part was the refueling from a KC-135. The flight lasted over ten hours and was well worth it. I preferred to keep my feet on the ground. Those AWACS scope dopes are a breed apart. Thank you cats and kittens for your service.
I was a Security Policeman assigned to Tinker AFB from 1983 thru 1986, (retired in 2002). The BEST job I ever had as a cop was being a
"11-4 Global Sentry" flying security aboard the E-3. Our job was to guard the AWACS upon landing at different airfields around the world. While airborne my favorite place to sit was in the extra seat behind the pilot in the cockpit. I still remember all these USAF E-3 "tail" numbers in this video. Thanks for the tour and fond memories Sam!
I might have flown a trip or two with you! 1981-present, 20 years, then Civil Service in E-3 Depot!
@@canders37 Thats crazy. Small world isn't it.
Thanks for this, this video was awesome! Please don't stop makin' this kind of content :)
Enjoyed this so much, thank you for sharing what the crew of this Air Force E-3 Sentry does
What a beautiful crew, the empires airforce is beautiful. Thank you to all of those who served and continue to serve.
As a kid I lived close by Geilenkirchen and I saw these things flying over almost daily. So it is pretty cool to see the inside!
I do miss flying on them. Great vid and a good look into the Platform. Bravo.
Ah, the replacement for the Lockheed EC121D. I was stationed at McClellan AFB during mid 60s as a radar tech on the most beautiful 4 engine aircraft. A great big hi to all the 552nd crew members and support personnel of days past. If Walter Ernest, Mel Bebo or Scheurman from Illinois see this, pm me. It been 55 years.
A BIG HI back from a radar operator/weapons tech from the 963rd (McClellan)/79th (Homestead).
@@maxsdad538 glad to here from a radar operator. When were you at Homestead?
No never made it to Homestead AFB in the Air Force but 10 years near Cocoa Beach, Fl and flew in and out of the Orlando civilian airport (was Homestead). No Connie's there now.
I spent 4 years at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan pulling flight line security where we had the alert KC-135, SR-71s, E-3As, RC-135s, F15C, RF4s, and more on a daily basis. Klaxon alerts are always a great challenge to all involved!
Its so cool to see this because my grandfather flew in the E-3 with the 552
Another informative post. Great content Sam. Thank you.
The best tour of an AWACS!
My dad flew on this aircraft for most of his Air Force career. Amazing airplane, and although it was a brief tour, it is an incredibly cool airplane, and I’m glad you shared it with us. I’m actually going to send it to him, I’m sure he will get a kick out of it.
as a previous maintenance tech on the rc-135 i appreciate the time you gave us!
Love these types of videos where you showcase the different aircraft!
Cannot wait to watch this. AWACS is so cool
Thanks Sam for doing a great job and cooperating with the military confidently. I always get a big problem explaining those guys about our helicopters, for example last week was in Uganda and still was panicking talking to Airforce. Thanks 👍😊
I enjoy seeing and learning more about any of the reconnaissance or surveillance type aircraft. So, thank you for the video I enjoyed it and look forward to more.
Good job on the video. AWACS is a cool plane and story thanks to the crews who keep them flying after all these years. As a kid we saw them lined up on the flight line at Boeing Field in Seattle during testing and delivery. I've seen the Japanese 767 version and the 737 AWACS at BFI too.
The Japan AWACS is back at the military ramp. Keep your eyes up, cause we're planning on flying her in the not too distant future.
@@mdcoomer67 Thanks. I'm 90nm east.
Thanks for sharing! You are AWESOME!
Sam, as an avid RUclips aviation video watcher I cant get enough of your content. Honestly some of the best stuff out there (feels like watching a Discovery Channel short or something). I'd love to see a video about you. I've heard mention of Airforce Academy and such. Love the content, keep it coming brother! Also I'd love to see something out of Tulsa OK (My hometown) with the OK ANG F-16s at some point.
Thanks so much for watching! I’ll see what I can do 👌🏼
@@SamEckholm the engines are not high bypass
Fantastic video. I miss living under the flight line at Tinker and hearing them run “touch and go” loops all day, it became comforting. A buddy of mine manned one of those chairs and I got a laugh when he told me one of the “by the book” protocols for a defective module was to eject it from the console, drop it on the table or floor and plug it back in to see if it worked and it often did work. That hardware may be old but it’s still in there for a reason.
Cool thanks for bringing this to us lot's of Love 💞💞
Sam, I was a Weapons Controller aboard the EC-121 AWACS flying out of McClellan AFB, Sacramento, CA. The "Connie" preceded the E-3 and was also a very capable radar platform. Try getting into one of those. The Suoer Constellation is one of the most iconic airframe ever built.
Loved your E-3 video.
Station there 1958 through 1962 964th sq. crew c3. Great plane, always got us home
My dad works at Tinker AFB and used to be in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant. Now he's a Fire Inspector for the Fire Department there. Glad you got to visit Tinker AFB. - Some 16 year old
One of the best channels on RUclips!
Great job on this video!!!
My favourite sounding Turbofan engine. One of the last aircraft models that still use it, so great to see a relic like this still flying.
So convenient that this happened to pop up on my YT today, I've had one of these circling around my area, an air reserve base all week, great to see more about it :D
I work there and work on the engines for them
Sam, it’s always been interesting to me how apparently far aft of the center of gravity those huge saucer antennas are on the E-3’s. Also interesting that they haven’t re-engined the planes with newer high-bypass CFM International CFM56’s as they’ve done with the KC-135. Nice video, brother. 💛🙏🏽
Apparently there was an issue with Alaskan airfield takeoffs and landings. Something about crosswinds and number 1 cowlings of CFM-56s and number 4 cowlings of CFM-56s scraping the runways. Not good. Surprisingly the form, fit, and function RR700s that will be adapted for the B-52H re-engine program might have been a good to use on the E-3s. Same overall exterior dimensions as the TF-33s.
Thought it had to do something with the engine struts why they didn’t put the F -108s on it
Excellent editing and camera angles. Thx.
I was a part of the 552nd AEW&C Wing 1958 through 1962 McClellan AFB flying the EC-121 "Connie". Fascinating the changes and upgrades. Logged just under 4,600 hours on the old bird. One of our planes, tail number 53-555. or "Triple Nickel" as we called her is now in the Air Force museum Dayton Ohio.
Can you make a video of a aircraft tanker like a KC135R?
Great video!
The AWACS was my first assignment as a programmer after I retrained from mainframe operator. This was way back before the jet had the cheek bumpouts. I enjoyed Tinker so much that I asked for a second deployment to Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm...met some nice folks, as you do at any base. The airframes were acquired after manufacturing ended so they had been used and were reconditioned. Good times.
Terrific photography as always, Sam. Thanks for posting such an interesting video about an aircraft which we don't hear much about.
My first time ever seeing an awacs was at Geilenkirchen in Germany 🇩🇪 we were spotting and walking with our chihuahua who turned in to a Kite after the plane showed of his power
I want an Oreo now
Was part of 964th, 86-89 ART. What a way to start your adulthood, out of high school to AWACS, then college, one of the best decisions I ever made joining the USAF
One of the most important aircrafts. I will never understand how this channel only has 209k subscribers.
Thanks for all the men and women working hard on those planes.
Good and informative video as always
I find it ironic that the video mentions that the E-3 is likely to be replaced "with the next generation platform". I was in the 552nd at McClellan AFB, Sacramento, and I have 2500 hours on the EC-121, which was replaced in 1978 with the "next generation platform", the E-3A.
I was station at Tinker AFB (1983-1986) when an EC-121 flew in to be put on static Display. You can see it on google maps "satellite" view).
I believe it came from the boneyard but can't remember for sure. I got pictures of it right after it landed and parked. Pretty cool !
My wife was Seat 5 on the NATO OTAN E3 out of Geilenkerchen ‘79 to ‘92 …… she had many stories to tell and loved the experience. 0:26
Awesome video! Great to make it personal with naming and interviewing the whole crew!
Wonderful ! 👍
It would be cool if they let him make a vid about the B52 (GSC)
This makes me proud to be an Okie. The 552 is very well loved here and hella awesome to watch
Incredible video. Loved the information and in-depth view. Thanks for sharing!
I work on the E3D sentry here in the UK and I'm so sad to see her go. Such an amazing looking aircraft and it's great to get a chance to see it's American equivalent.
Great stuff Sam!
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@SamEckholm the engines are not high bypass
Great video. I was 552CMS back from 02-04. I can't believe they had an F-22 parked on the ramp! It was all Buffs and Bones when I was there, except for when a hurricane hit Tyndall and we had like 80 F-15s in for a weekend. Watching them all take off in pairs back-to-back was pretty cool.
That Raptor was in for a fuel stop.
In my personal opinion, the E-3 is one of the most interesting looking aircraft that I've seen.
Isn’t the TF33 a LOW bypass engine ?
Definitely high
@@louie5787 it’s a low bypass turbofan.
Yes it has a less than 1:1 ratio. High bypass starts at about 5:1
I would like to see a video of the KC10 the Modified DC10
I was a CDMT computer operator/tech (crew Dog)964th from 1978-1981. I flew on 560 when new and 1606.(in your video) I believe we had 21 birds in the Wing.
Formally "flew" Seat 8 (CDMT at the 965th). I got out in 04. Baby J
I was a CDMT at the 960th 2005-2009. It's a shame they didn't interview one and show the equipment
@@landinhardy7682 Yeah, I was sad they skipped it! 963 CDMT 96-2000.
Another fantastic video Sam, look forward to you hopefully doing the E-7A one day
Can't wait! Make videos more often!
I live inside of you Noah. (Gillespie Illinois) lol
@@damenalbers54 No way, I went there on a road trip-small town. Isn't the high school there called the Miners or something?
@@Noah.Gillespie.29 yeah i played football throughout Highschool i was a miner lol
@@damenalbers54 No way bro, haha
I just recently found your channel. My brother recently passed away in a moto crash a couple weeks ago in OKC. He was in the 552nd at Tinker. He was crew chief for the AWACS for a while before he just got a new job within the 552nd. Small world.
So sorry about your brother.
This was a great video!! I enjoyed it so much! Thank you!!!
As someone who works in an actual Air Force control tower, I’m conflicted. But otherwise good write up of the E3!