LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va -- The Mississippi Air National Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing welcomed the arrival of the first MC-12W yesterday at Key Field, Meridian, Miss.
The arrival of the aircraft is part of the agreement between the Air Force and Air National Guard to establish a temporary MC-12 mission qualification training detachment.
The MC-12 is the Air Force's newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform, which was fielded under an ambitious timeline to meet ground support requirements for today's fight.
The program, known as Project Liberty, the MC-12 is an Air Combat Command asset, fielded to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to serve critical roles in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
"The Air National Guard is excited to be a part of this important mission and to play a critical role in providing this needed capability to today's fight," said Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard director.
Temporarily basing the MC-12 training location in Mississippi provides several benefits. The 186th ARW is able to immediately support the mission and they bring more than 12 years of manned ISR experience from their RC-26 work in the counterdrug program, as well as multiple overseas deployments in support of OIF and the fight against terror.
In addition, avoiding the need to send active-duty instructors to the training location will reduce the strain on active-duty manpower and save money in travel costs.
"The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman Jr., and I are very proud that the 186th Refueling Wing was chosen for this very important mission," said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. "This wing has shown success time after time because of the dedication and professionalism of its officers and Airmen."
For more information, call ACC Public Affairs at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail accpa.operations@langley.af.mil.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)