ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Force and Air National Guard officials have agreed to establish a temporary mission qualification training detachment for the RC-12 aircraft at Key Field in Meridian, Miss. This mission, conducted by the Mississippi Air National Guard, will help bolster the Department of Defense's intelligence gathering capability in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The RC-12 aircraft is the Air Force's newest manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform (ISR), providing near-real-time ISR. Nearly $100 million has been obligated to bring up to seven RC-12 aircraft to the base beginning in January 2009.
This mission, designated Project Liberty, will train approximately 1,000 students during the next two years at the 186th Air Refueling Wing, located at Key Field. The 186th ARW will conduct total force mission qualification training for this program, providing the manpower and facilities for the training unit. The 186th ARW will continue performing its current air refueling mission through 2011, operating the KC-135R Stratotanker while conducting Project Liberty training.
"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 Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard.
"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 Governor Haley Barbour. "This wing has shown success time after time because of the dedication and professionalism of its officers and Airmen."
The Air Force, National Guard Bureau and Mississippi Air National Guard officials are working closely to ensure a smooth and effective transition.