MC-12 joins the fight in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  The Air Force's new MC-12 Liberty aircraft, a manned special-mission turboprop aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support coalition and joint ground forces, arrived June 8 to Joint Base Balad. 

Following the MC-12's arrival, the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was activated June 9 to carry out MC-12 operations here.

"This is a big day," said Col. Michael Fantini, the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group commander who presided over the ceremony. "The MC-12 represents a huge cutting-edge capability for our Air Force and the (combined forces air component commander) ability to provide another level and layer of ISR combat capability to the joint-force commander, and we'll push it to the limit."

The first of its kind for the Air Force, the MC-12 provides real-time ISR in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility -- a result of the office of the secretary of Defense's ISR task force's efforts to increase ISR capabilities in the region.

"The unique thing about the MC-12 is that it goes a step beyond our current capability," said Colonel Fantini, a native of Vineland, N.J. "It has the latest technology. It's going to complement (full-motion video) and other intelligence capabilities in terms of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance integration in the battlespace."

Almost a year ago, Project Liberty was on the drawing board. Today, the aircraft and its crews and maintainers supporting the 362nd ERS are operational and ready to go here at Joint Base Balad.

"This plane was first on the drawing board as a concept just a year ago, and today it is flying combat missions in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Phillip Stewart, the 362nd ERS commander.

"The MC-12 is an embodiment of the Air Force's commitment to ISR at every level in the joint fight," Colonel Stewart said. "My goal is to provide world-class intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance when and where it's needed as a key part of the joint fight."

Overall, the MC-12 will augment information gathered by other ISR assets already operating in Iraq and complement existing capability with live infrared full-motion video and signals intelligence. The platform will enhance how Air Force ISR complements the total intelligence "picture" in the respective commander's scheme of maneuver in the battlespace.

"We are going to have the flexibility to employ this platform in whatever methodology is required in the ongoing operational and tactical scheme of maneuver required," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, the 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander. "The processing, exploitation and dissemination of the mission data, both in real-time and for continued intelligence analysis, will greatly enhance a commander's level of situational awareness -- from senior commanders down to the engaged unit of action."

With a unique mission to execute, members of the 362nd ERS are ready for sustained combat operations.