Air Force announces MC-12 basing decision

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- -- The Department of the Air Force has announced Beale Air Force Base will be the base for the MC-12W "Liberty" aircraft. The announcement comes following the completion of an environmental assessment that concluded with a finding of no significant impact, clearing the way for the final decision to base the aircraft here.

The first MC-12W aircraft will begin arriving early this summer. Initially, seven aircraft will be used for mission qualification training. The Air Force will continue to keep the majority of MC-12W aircraft deployed.

The MC-12W is a medium altitude, twin-engine, turboprop aircraft. The aircrew consists of two pilots, a sensor operator and a cryptologic operator. Its primary mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces. The MC-12W capability supports all aspects of the world-wide Air Force irregular warfare mission including counter-insurgency, foreign internal defense, and building partnership capacity.

"We are honored to be selected as the location of the MC-12 mission," said Brig. Gen. Paul H. McGillicuddy, 9th Reconnaissance Wing Commander. "We have a long history of operating intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance weapon systems and we are ready to add MC-12W to our Beale fleet."

For more information contact the 9 RW Public Affairs Office at 530-634-8887.