U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing joined with host nation partners to conduct Exercise Yellow Sands, a regional training event designed to strengthen multinational integration in Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). The series of exercises focuses on detecting, tracking, and neutralizing aerial threats utilizing the E-11A aircraft, equipped with its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN).

The Yellow Sands exercise series is part of U.S. Air Forces Central’s Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense program, which focuses on the collective defense of the Arabian Peninsula. The exercise evaluates Joint Regional Air Chief member nations’ ability to integrate with coalition partners, engaging regional allies critical to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility at every level. The E-11A plays a vital role in achieving the exercise’s objectives by serving as a communications bridge, seamlessly connecting the diverse systems used by coalition partners.

“The E-11A is a Bombardier aircraft outfitted with the BACN.” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Giovanni Allevato, 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron E-11A elevator pilot. “This payload enables communication relay through the bridging of voice and data system gateways, allowing for real-time and a seamlessly transparent intraoperative flow of communication for warfighters.”

Connecting dissimilar communication networks enhances real-time information sharing, facilitating seamless communication across voice and data networks. The E-11A is participating in the exercise specifically to bridge diverse systems and unite U.S. forces with regional partners.

“The E-11A fills a gap and therefore promotes a capability when it comes to the sharing of

information.” Allevato said. “The faster we can move information, and the more we can reduce barriers to the sharing of that information, the more effective we become as allies.”

Operating at a strategic level, the E-11A improves information flow and speeds up coordination between warfighters. Participation in exercises like Yellow Sands provides opportunities to analyze networks and refine system performance.

“The BACN ‘payload’ has been placed on other assets.” Allevato said. “The E-11A is the vehicle in which that payload is currently carried. Without the BACN payload and capability, there is no E-11 in this theater and vice versa.”

During Exercise Yellow Sands, the E-11A’s BACN provides secure, beyond-line-of-sight connectivity for ground and air personnel. This enhanced interoperability enables coalition forces to effectively counter air and missile threats in the region, reinforcing the collective security of allied nations.