The new intelligence reconnaissance and surveillance platform, MC-12 Liberty aircraft owned by the US Air Force recently flew its first combat sortie in Iraq.

The four-hour mission validated the training given to the pilots for flying the new machines.

The MC-12 provides Joint Base Balad, Iraq, with combat air power and overwatch to joint fight in theatre with its ISR capabilities.

The aircraft provides the forces with real-time full-motion video and signals intelligence with support from other intelligence-collection capabilities.

The ISR platform has been assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.