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Governor Haley Barbour and Congressional Delegation Announce New Air National Guard Mission
Posted 9/30/2008 Updated 9/30/2008
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Release Number: 010908
9/30/2008 - Tuesday, September 16, 2008 -- (Jackson, Miss.) - The Air Force and Mississippi Air National Guard have agreed to establish a temporary mission qualification training detachment for the RC-12 aircraft at Key Field in Meridian, Miss. It was announced today by Governor Haley Barbour, Senator Thad Cochran, Senator Roger Wicker, and Congressman Chip Pickering. This mission will help bolster the Department of Defense's intelligence gathering capability in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
"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 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.
"I am proud to see Air Force and National Guard leadership turn to Meridian to meet their immediate needs for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance on the battlefield," Senator Thad Cochran said. "This training at Key Field will be the first of its kind and help to improve the intelligence gathering capability supporting our men and women serving in the Global War on Terrorism. The Department of Defense has clearly made this training a priority and I have confidence Mississippi will excel at answering the call."
"This bridge mission will ensure the pilots, flight crews and maintenance personnel at Key Field will be able to stay in Meridian and maintain their high level of proficiency and skill while at the same time playing an important role in the War on Terror," Senator Roger Wicker said.
"As I leave office, I am grateful that this mission has been assigned to the 186th. Commitments were made to honor the rich heritage of Key Field and to preserve a flying mission for the 186th - those commitments are kept with this announcement. We can all celebrate and appreciate the hard work of the unit, as well as local and state leaders in making this happen," Congressman Chip Pickering said.
This mission, designated Project Liberty, will train approximately 1,000 students over the next two years at the 186th Air Refueling Wing, located at Key Field. The 186th will conduct total force mission qualification training for this program, providing the manpower and facilities for the training unit. The 186th will continue performing its current air refueling mission through 2011 operating the KC-135R Stratotanker while conducting Project Liberty training.
The Air Force, National Guard Bureau and Mississippi Air National Guard are working closely to ensure a smooth and effective transition.
"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.
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