WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A new aircraft touched down at Robins Air Force Base this week. It is part of one of the four new missions coming to Robins.
The E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, or the BACN, pronounced Bacon, is the aircraft promised to come as Robins' JSTARS unit is phased out.
You can think of these planes like a satellite, they call it "Wi-Fi in the sky," it is used as a communication system to exchange information between commanders in the air and on the ground. It's the first of its kind to make its way to Georgia and the entire country. The Air Force says the E-11A already has seen a high mission success rate in the Middle East.
The E-11A will be used by the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron. This unit was activated in February.
Dan Rhoades, Chief Operations Officer with 21st Century Partnership, says the technology used for this aircraft is extremely high-tech -- some of it's not even developed yet. As they develop this fleet, this could expand the workforce.
Megan Western talked with Rhoades further about the mission, and one business about he could help the incoming people look fly.
Shopping at Super Friends Flex Shop is a one stop destination.
"We have clothes, we have sunglasses, we have jewelry we have anything," says Travis Thornton.
His "hip-hop" culture boutique has been in business for five years, and they've helped dress a lot of people. Thornton adds that a lot of customers especially love their fragrances by Your Space Essentials.
"We cater to everyone, we cater to young people, old people, " says Thornton.
His shop is four minutes down the road from Robins, on Watson Boulevard. As new missions take off at the base, and their workforce begins to grow, Thornton says he's open to catering to new people.
"It's always exciting as a business owner, people think it's easy, but it's not," he says.
These new planes coming won't just bring additional employees to visit local businesses, but they're building the future workforce.
"One of the reasons that Robins was picked for some of the missions that are coming here is specifically because of what the community has done to stand up technology capability," Rhoades says.
To navigate and even create this future technology, Rhoades says students are learning software engineering, and other cyber-focused majors.
"MGA is training these students, Mercer is training software engineers. We're developing that workforce we're going to need in the future right here in middle Georgia, that we're going to need for jobs like that," Rhoades adds.
He says the technology will drive companies and young entrepreneurs to further develop the technology for the missions.
"I'm certainly hopeful that we'll see new technology or new jobs and new capabilities derive from the community. These missions will certainly help us with that," he adds.
Thornton will be ready to see them off.
"We'll have you looking good before you leave out," he says.
The unit that navigates these planes is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
You can visit Super Friends Flex Shop at 1134 Watson Boulevard from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.