About 380 people may be looking for a new line of work because of the Air Force's plans for the Robins' based JSTARS unit.
The Air Force wants to replace their current aircraft with a smaller, more modern plane.
The commander of the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Col. Kevin Clotfelter says that effort will create long-term gains, and a lot of short-term uncertainty.
It's one of Robins' most recognized and celebrated missions, with more than 100,000 flight hours logged since 9/11.
Clotfelter said, "It's a national asset, and we've been used all over the world."
He says the Air Force recognizes the importance of the J-STARS, or Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. That's why they're floating $73 million to develop a new aircraft for the unit.
Currently, the joint Army, active duty Air Force and Air National Guard unit flies a modified Boeing 707. The weapon system was first developed for use in the Gulf War.
The Air Force wants to replace it with a business jet that costs less to operate and maintain.
Clotfelter says the decision promises improvements, but comes with costs. He said, "There will absolutely be a risk a period, as we refer to it. But that's just a hard decision that the Air Force has to make for the times were in."
By "risk," Clotfelter means the 16 JSTARS aircraft that have constantly flown in deployed locations since 2001, will begin to be grounded. The first five will be pulled from the inventory in 2016. Eventually all of the aircraft will be retired.
2022 is the target date for the new aircraft to be ready.
Clotfelter says retiring aircraft means grounding the people that fly and maintain them, as well.
He said, "Some will retire, some will retrain, some may move to a different job."
Clotfelter says 130 Air National Guard positions will be eliminated. Another 250 will come from the active duty JSTARS group, according to commander of the 461st Air Control Wing Colonel Henry Cyr.
In a written statement, Cyr said, "The retirement of E-8C aircraft, and reduction in people, is being done to serve as a catalyst for development and production of a modernized variant of the E-8C. This reduction will potentially be offset by the recapitalized Next Generation JSTARS weapon system."
It's possible the new aircraft and its mission will come to Robins, but Clotfelter says, there's no guarantee. He said, "It's a wait and see, just part of the process."
Clotfelter said there's a "high likelihood" that the Air Force would want to use Robins infrastructure and professional experience, when the new aircraft is ready.
It's in the initial stages of development at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.
