Rep. Tom Graves Questions Secretary of Defense about Technology Critical to Georgia National Guard
Secretary Carter Confirms Commitment to JSTARS

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) yesterday questioned Secretary of Defense Ash Carter about the Pentagon’s commitment to the recapitalization of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), which is critical for national defense and the Georgia National Guard. Georgia’s Robins Air Force Base is home to the JSTARS mission.

In response to Rep. Graves’ questioning concerning JSTARS recapitalization, Secretary Carter said:  “The thing I can say as secretary of Defense is we’re committed to that capability. We have to recapitalize the JSTARS because, as you note, it’s an airframe now that’s decades old and we just can’t keep flying it. We need the capability.”    

JSTARS is a critical radar system and aircraft, which significantly enhances the ability of our warplanes and other military assets to target enemy combatants and help protect our soldiers on the ground by detecting threats and allowing for better coordinated, more effective support.