E-3 Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The Boeing E-3 Sentry, commonly known as AWACS, is an airborne warning and control aircraft based on the Boeing 707 airframe. Developed for the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War, it was designed to detect, track and control air activity far beyond the range of ground-based radar. Engineering, test and evaluation work began in October 1975, and the first operational E-3s were delivered to the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base in March 1977.

The Sentry’s most recognisable feature is its rotating radar dome, mounted above the fuselage on two struts. The dome is 30 feet in diameter, six feet thick and contains a radar system able to search from the Earth’s surface into the stratosphere. The system can detect low-flying targets at more than 250 miles and track aircraft, ships and other activity over land or water.

The E-3 gives commanders an airborne command, control and battle management platform. Its crew can build a live picture of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, direct fighter aircraft, support air defence, assist interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close air support missions, and pass information to command centres, ships and senior leaders.

The Sentry has supported major U.S., NATO and coalition operations, including Desert Storm, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector. It also supported homeland defence under Operation Noble Eagle and helped coordinate rescue operations after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The E-3 has served with the U.S. Air Force, NATO, the Royal Air Force, France and Saudi Arabia, with Chile later acquiring former RAF aircraft. NATO received its first E-3A in January 1982 and has operated the type from Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. The RAF retired its E-3D fleet in 2021.

Although ageing, the E-3 remains one of the best-known airborne command and control aircraft ever built. The U.S. Air Force and NATO have both planned replacements based around the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, while E-3 fleets continue to be managed through upgrades, sustainment work and phased retirement planning.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony. This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.