306th Intelligence Squadron Trains

A pilot from the 489th Reconnaissance Squadron performs pre-flight procedures on a C-12 King Air aircraft in preparation for a training sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., April 5, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)

306th Intelligence Squadron Trains

A pilot from the 489th Reconnaissance Squadron performs pre-flight procedures on a C-12 King Air aircraft in preparation for a training sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., April 5, 2013. The aircraft are used to train aircrews for global Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)

306th Intelligence Squadron Trains

Tactical systems operators and students assigned to the 306th Intelligence Squadron walk out to a C-12 King Air aircraft in preparation for a training sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., April 5, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)

306th Intelligence Squadron Trains

Airmen from the 306th Intelligence Squadron load equipment into a vehicle in preparation for a training sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., April 5, 2013. The squadron is a partner unit at Beale and falls under the 361st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Hurburt Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Buchanan/Released)

MC-12 Liberty

A U.S. Air Force MC-12 Liberty aircraft takes off for a training sortie at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 25, 2013. Sorties consist of flying patterns and running through touch and go exercises. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Mr. John Schwab/Released)

U-2 Dragon Lady and MC-12 Liberty

A U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady lands after flying a training sortie as a MC-12 Liberty aircraft waits for takeoff at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 25, 2013. Sorties consist of flying patterns and running through touch and go exercises. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Mr. John Schwab/Released)

489th RS: Stand up, start running

Wes Shover, a joint terminal attack controller expert from the base contractor Rally Point Management, prepares to act as an opposition force as an MC-12W Liberty intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft prepares to take off in the background at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. OPFORs are all current or prior Special Forces members who pretend to be the best bad guys they can be. They travel Beale’s 24,000 acres planting simulated IEDs, carrying inert rockets, and hide in vehicles or at shops around base, essentially playing an adult game of hide and seek. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

489th RS: Stand up, start running

Two opposition forces simulate planting a roadside bomb during a 489th Reconnaissance Squadron training exercise at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. The 489th RS is where pilots, sensor operators, and tactical system operators come to train on the MC-12W Liberty weapons system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

MC-12W Liberty: One year later, one year stronger

A crew chief for the Air Force MC-12W Liberty intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft cleans the West Cam MX-15 camera at Beale Air Force Base Oct. 9, 2012. The camera collects information which is sent via data link to geospatial analysts deployed on the ground or at the Distributed Ground Station at Beale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

MC-12W Liberty: One year later, one year stronger

A sensor operator adjusts the West Cam MX-15 camera on the bottom of the Air Force MC-12W Liberty intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft on the Beale Air Force Base flight line Oct. 9, 2012. The MC-12W???s capabilities support all aspects of the worldwide Air Force irregular warfare mission, including counter-insurgency, foreign internal defense and partnership capacity building. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

MC-12W Liberty: One year later, one year stronger

A pilot is shadowed by the wing of an Air Force MC-12W Liberty intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft on the Beale Air Force Base flight line Oct. 9, 2012. The MC-12W is a medium altitude, twin-engine, turboprop aircraft loaded with high tech optical and sensor equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

MC-12 Liberty 10,000th Combat Sortie

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- An MC-12 Liberty takes off from Bagram Airfield here Oct. 19, 2011. The flight marked the 10,000th combat sortie flown in support of ground operations that have led to the capture or elimination of more than 4,000 targets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Krista Rose)

MC-12 aircraft

A MC-12 aircraft prepares to land at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 12. The primary mission of the aircraft is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno)

MC-12 Liberty sits on apron at Bagram Airfield

A MC-12 Liberty sits on the apron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, while a CH-47 Chinook takes off. The MC-12 provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces.

New ISR unit activated at Kandahar Airfield

The MC-12 Liberty aircraft is a manned, special-mission turboprop aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The 361st ERS was activated May 1, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The MC-12 is assigned to the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nancy Hooks)

451st EOG activates new ISR unit on Kandahar

The MC-12 Liberty aircraft, assigned to the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, is a manned, special-mission turboprop aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The 361st ERS was activated May 1 at Kandahar Airfield. Lt. Col. Darren Halford is the first commander of the new unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nancy Hooks/Released)

Flightline Operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

A MC-12 lands after a mission at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 6, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by/ Tech. Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross/released)

MC-12 aircrews complete 2,000th combat sortie

The MC-12 Liberty aircraft is the Air Force's newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. It is a medium-altitude manned special-mission turbo prop aircraft that supports coalition and joint ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca)