Governor-elect Sonny Perdue visited the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base to learn about the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) mission and the Air Force’s first Future Total Force wing.

Perdue spent more than two hours at Robins touring an E-8C JSTARS aircraft, addressing the 116th’s airmen and learning about the "merged wing" concept, which combines active duty and Air National Guardsmen into one cohesive unit. He also learned about the 116th’s history, its facilities and organizational structure, and how the 116th fits into the state organization plan.

Perdue reiterated his support and enthusiasm for the wing’s unique mission and posture. "If I were a soldier on the ground, I would just be thrilled that JSTARS is up there," he told unit members.

"This is a totally future mission to keep our troops safe and protect America. It’s a great concept for our National Guard here in Georgia," Perdue added.

The merged wing concept became a reality when the active duty 93rd Air Control Wing and Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Bomb Wing were inactivated Sep. 30 of this year. Both units then stood up immediately as the 116 ACW. A first of its kind in Air Force history, the Total Force wing has an estimated 2,800 personnel who are traditional and full-time Guardsmen, technicians and active duty airmen.

-- Maj. John N. Bryan of the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office provided this news brief.