WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — It's hard to leave those you love, and Monday morning, it was even harder for the last JSTARS plane to leave Robins Air Force Base.
It was so hard, it actually couldn't take off.
The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System was supposed to take flight to Arizona today. The plane has offered surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to the U.S. armed forces for almost 30 years.
But due to mechanical problems, they plan to try again on Nov. 15.
"It's going to be a sad day watching this jet leave," Antwan Evans, Shift Superintendent of Maintenance shared.
Through the Georgia National Air Guard, Evans worked for 20 years to keep these planes safe in the air.
"Make sure the operators come home safe. Make sure they make it back to their families every night, that's our goal," he shared.
Along with many others in the 116th Air Control Wing, Evans has been around to see a mission from start to finish.
"It's pretty epic. I'm excited. I'm blessed," he added. "This unit has blessed me, my family and the community, so I'm thankful."
On Monday, many servicemen gathered around the aircraft to say goodbye and reflect on missions they had with the plane.
"It has been, how do you put it in words? It's been a remarkable experience. This aircraft almost continually deployed for almost 21 years. We've done a great service to this state and this country and this means a lot to me," Michael Rose shared.
Rose is the retired Chief Master Sergeant for the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
"You can't put a price tag on what this aircraft has done for the United States of America," he said.
Rose says this includes in his own life.
"I have spent many years in southwest Asia away from family, working with my extended family on this aircraft," Rose said.
The familial bond that these men have created is what many of them will miss the most.
"We're going to miss that comradery a lot, I believe," Cheif Master Sgt, Tony Boland shared.
Has been connected with JSTARS since it's start in October 2002.
"This isn't the end. Change isn't always easy. I remember the change we had coming into JSTARS and JSTARS is a big part of my family and my life," Boland said.
He expects the change with the four new missions to be good, too.
"I think it's going to be really exciting and i think once they learn about it and know they're going to be really excited as well," he said.
Evans agrees that the change will be exciting, and he encourages people to get connected with the Georgia National Air Guard to be a part of future change.
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the last plane will make another attempt to fly to a place commonly referred to as 'the boneyard' in Arizona. It's where the Air Force stores retired planes and often uses them for parts.