An Air Force RC-26 aircraft is marshaled into position at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, after returning from operations in Southwest Asia and the Area of Responsibility.

An Air Force RC-26 aircraft is marshaled into position at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, after returning from operations in Southwest Asia and the Area of Responsibility. The RC-26 aircraft, a highly mobile intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform flown solely by the ANG and operated under the 45th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, provided U.S. Special Operations Command with more than 45,000 combat hours flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn that resulted in Air Guardsmen receiving more than 1,000 Air Medals, 15 Bronze Star Medals, and 15 Combat Action Medals for ANG personnel. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Dennis Young/RELEASED)

An Air Force RC-26 aircraft is marshaled into position at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, after returning from operations in Southwest Asia and the Area of Responsibility.

45th ESOS returns from operations in Southwest Asia and the Area of Responsibility

Published July 18, 2013
By Master Sgt. Dennis Young
U.S. Air National Guard

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- An Air Force RC-26 aircraft is marshaled into position at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, after returning from operations in Southwest Asia and the Area of Responsibility. The RC-26 aircraft, a highly mobile intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform flown solely by the ANG and operated under the 45th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, provided U.S. Special Operations Command with more than 45,000 combat hours flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn that resulted in Air Guardsmen receiving more than 1,000 Air Medals, 15 Bronze Star Medals, and 15 Combat Action Medals for ANG personnel.