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In Action
5(AC) Squadron - RAF Waddington

5 Squadron tail band
The first fully configured Sentinel R.1 (ZJ690) flew in to RAF Waddington on January 24, 2006 to undergo test which lasted six weeks. Once the tests had been successfully completed the aircraft was officially handed over to 5(AC) Squadron. 

5(AC) Squadron was re-formed at RAF Waddington on April 1, 2004 to operate the Airbourne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) radar surveillance system. The Squadron when fully operational (by April 2007) will comprise five Bombardier Sentinel R.1 aircraft and eight Tactical Ground Stations (TGS).

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The ASTOR equipped Sentinel R.1 (ZJ692) captured arriving at Waddington its intended base for the first time in July 2006.

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Six of the ground stations will be vehicle based (see image above left) and will by operated jointly by RAF and Army personnel (hence Army Cooperation 'AC' in squadron title). The aircraft are fitted with an extensive suite of military communication equipment, consisting of a satellite communication (SATCOM), VHF, UHF and HF radios and provide high speed datalinks to airborne and ground forces. The Sentinel's radar operates in two modes, the Synthetic Aperature Radar (SAR) which uses powerful processing techniques to present photo-like imagery of ground targets and a Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) mode, which detects target movement in the air and on the ground. Compatible with the USAF's similar JSTARS system, it will provide commanders of forces deployed anywhere in the world with real-time data to enhance mission planning.

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Sentinel R.1 (ZJ690) operating out of Waddington and now in full 5(AC) Squadron markings. Sentinel R.1 (ZJ692) operating out of Waddington in June 2011.