This is a follow-up thread to the closed topic: 'USAF Weighing New Air Tactics for Iraq, Afghanistan'


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MC-12 Flies First Combat Mission

(Source: U.S Air Force; issued June 11, 2009)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --- The Air Force's newest intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft flew its first combat sortie June 10 over Iraq.

The MC-12 Liberty, assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, arrived in Iraq June 8 and took off from Joint Base Balad at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time for a four-hour mission.

"This is truly a success story," said Brig. Gen. Brian T. Bishop, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "Our mission here is to deliver combat airpower and overwatch to the joint fight in-theater, and the MC-12 brings a huge ISR capability to employ in support of the ground commander."

"This is the first combat mission for the 362nd ERS, and it was a huge success," said Col. Mike Fantini, the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group commander. "The milestone continues the extraordinary program to push more ISR capability to the joint-force commander."

Landing at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time, the four-person crew was all smiles after completing the historic sortie.

"It feels good being out here and doing something good for the warfighter," said Capt. Jason Goodale, the pilot.

"The crew was great," the Sioux Falls, S.D., said the native deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "We performed like we trained. It is great to be part of something that is bringing a unique feature to ground forces."

Flying alongside Captain Goodale were Lt. Col. Phillip Stewart, the mission commander deployed from Langley AFB, Va., and a native of Silver Spring, Md.; and the two sensor operators: Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Hunter, deployed from Offutt AFB, Neb., and a native of Rock Springs, Wy.; and Staff Sgt. Shaun Nelson.

"It was a great mission," Colonel Stewart said. "It couldn't have gone any better."

"It feels really good to validate the training we went through," he added. "I'm extraordinarily proud of (the Airmen of the 362nd ERS). They are a tremendous group of Airmen. All of them volunteered to come to a brand-new program not knowing what to expect because they believe in the mission and they believe in the men and women that we are protecting on the ground."

Designed to augment information gathered by other intelligence-collection capabilities operating in-theater, the MC-12 provides real-time full-motion video and signals intelligence and allow military leaders to make battlefield decisions.

"It's an awesome mission," said Sergeant Nelson, deployed from Tinker AFB, Okla., and a native of Lenox, S.D. "I think we are all excited to be a part of it. It's a big capability, and it's nice to be able to bring this capability to more and more of the troops on the ground. The job satisfaction is amazing out here. You know you're making a difference. You know you're helping the guys on the ground. That's what we are here to do." (ends)


MC-12 Joins the Fight In Iraq

(Source: U.S Air Force; issued June 11, 2009)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --- 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.

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A US Air Force MC-12 Liberty ISR aircraft takes off from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, on its first combat mission. (USAF photo)

More Details on USAF’s New MC-12W Aircraft...


Airmen Execute Project Liberty

(Source: U.S Air Force; issued June 15, 2009)



CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq --- Eighteen months ago officials created a plan to bolster the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission by adding a new platform to the ISR inventory. Now the Airmen assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1 here at Camp Liberty, Iraq, are charged with the task of standing up the new ISR mission using the newly configured C-12 Huron turboprop planes, designated MC-12W, as ISR platforms.

The program, called Project Liberty, involves Airmen operating the MC-12W aircraft out of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and more Airmen serving as ground-based crew, gathering and analyzing the intelligence collected from here. The first combat sortie, flown June 9, was a complete success according to all parties involved.

In a recent interview, Maj. Gen. Blair E. Hansen, the A2 director of ISR capabilities and Air Force lead for the task force said, "this fight demands decisive information, surgical ISR, tailored to the level of the fight. This capability will give field commanders more important and timely knowledge to make critical decisions. To be effective in counterinsurgency requires micro information fast, to both kill or capture terrorists as well as to protect our joint and coalition force and the civilian population."

More than 20 trained professionals, all deployed form Langley AFB, Va., work day and night behind the scenes to gather and analyze all the data and imagery the aircraft collects, to provide forward deployed ground forces with the near real-time information to make key battlefield decisions.

"The purpose of Project Liberty is to provide intelligence directly to the warfighter," said Capt. Jeffrey Johnston, 362nd ERS Det. 1 commander. "We are providing daily support to the theater."

Captain Johnston said, the new ISR mission isn't exactly a new capability, but what is new is the concept of the platform and the fact that they are standing up new capabilities to the fight.

"It has been a tremendous amount of work, but we have the absolute best people to pave the way for this growing mission," said Captain Johnston.

According to the detachment's superintendent, standing up a new mission like this isn't ever easy, but said thanks to the hard work of his Airmen the gap has been bridged smoothly.

"There is a reason this team was handpicked to come here," said Master Sgt. Kyle LaLand, who is a native of Queens, N.Y. "I really think we are making a big difference for the guys fighting on the ground."

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