According to the ADI news report, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 prevented the retirement of these aircraft citing the critical importance of their mission to «protect our air men and women from sophisticated electronic attacks in conflicts across the Middle East such as Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as against potential threats in the Pacific and Europe.» (theaviationist.com)
But it swings back as the real importance of the mission becomes clear. (slashfilm.com)
Determined to maintain our connections and create new ones, we have reached the end of the process with more awareness and understanding of the crucial importance of our mission: to protect our humanity and our creative and unifying power. (eagt.net)