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Contact Info
Home Town Wilmington, North Carolina
Last Address Hillsborough County, Florida
Date of Passing Sep 04, 2010
Location of Interment Hillsboro Memorial Cemetery - Brandon, Florida
In WWII he was credited with destroying 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 6 more on the ground.
His 2nd DFC citation:
For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat, the destruction of two enemy airplanes and for sharing in the destruction of one enemy airplane over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lt. Starnes has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all those occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Aircraft/Missile Information
The EC-130E ABCCC consists of seven aircraft that are used as an Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center. The EC-130E is a modified C-130 "Hercules"; aircraft designed to carry the USC-48 Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center Capsules (ABCCC III). These one-of-a kind aircraft include the addition of external antennae to accommodate the vast number of radios in the capsule, heat exchanger pods for additional air conditioning, an aerial refueling system and special mounted rails for uploading and downloading the USC-48 capsule. The ABCCC has distinctive air conditioner intakes fore of the engines ("Mickey Mouse ears"), two HF radio probes-towards the tips of both wings, and three mushroom-shaped antennas on the top of the aircraft - and, of course, numerous antennas on the belly.
As an Air Combat Command asset, ABCCC (A-B-Triple-C) is an integral part of the Tactical Air Control System. While functioning as a direct extension of ground-based command and control authorities, the primary mission is providing flexibility in the overall control of tactical air resources. In addition, to maintain positive control of air operations, ABCCC can provide communications to higher headquarters, including national command authorities, in both peace and wartime environments.
The USC-48 ABCCC III capsule, which fits into the aircraft cargo compartment, measures 40 feet long, weighs approximately 20,000 pounds and costs $9 million each. The ABCCC provides unified and theater commanders an Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC), with the capability for combat operations during war, contingencies, exercises, and special classified missions. A highly trained force of mission ready crew members and specially equipped EC-130E aircraft to support worldwide combat operations. Mission roles include airborne extensions of the Air Operations Center (AOC) and Airborne Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) for command and control of Offensive Air Support (OAS) operations; and airborne on-scene command for special operations such as airdrops or evacuations.
The ABCCC system is a high-tech automated airborne command and control facility featuring computer generated color displays, digitally controlled communications, and rapid data retrieval. The platform's 23 fully securable radios, secure teletype, and 15 automatic fully computerized consoles, allow the battlestaff to quickly analyze current combat situations and direct offensive air support towards fast-developing targets. ABCCC, is equipped with its most recent upgrade the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, allows real-time accountability of airborne tracks to capsule displays through data links with AWACS E-3 "Sentry" aircraft.
In May 2002 the Air Force announced its Fiscal 2003 force structure changes, which included the transfer of EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command-and-Control Center aircraft missions to other platforms. Picking up the ABCCC mission will be the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System and the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft. At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the 355th Wing will lost six EC-130E ABCCC aircraft, along with 506 military and six civilian positions. The 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron inactivated on 30 September 2002, after 34 years of existence. [ Squadron inactivating after 34 years AFPN 17 Sept 2002]
