The Air Force's newest intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance platform, the MC-12 Liberty aircraft, flew its first combat sortie here June 10.
"This is truly a success story," said Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 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."
The aircraft, which arrived in Iraq June 8, is assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, and took off from JBB at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time for a four-hour mission.
"This is the first combat mission for the 362nd ERS, and it was a huge success," said Col. Mike Fantini, 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., native deployed here from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., added. "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, mission commander, deployed here from Langley AFB, Va., and a native of Silver Spring, Md., and the two sensor operators: Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Hunter, deployed here from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and a native of Rock Springs, Wy., and Staff Sgt. Shaun Nelson.
Footnote: Do you want to make your own personal website without going to computer school? Please start learning at www.lunarpages.com
