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.

(Left to right) Air Force Lt. Col. Glen Dubois, 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, and Capt. Andrew Jerry, 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania ANG, speak with Air National Guard and ANG Readiness Center leadership after landing at Jo

(Left to right) Air Force Lt. Col. Glen Dubois, 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, and Capt. Andrew Jerry, 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania ANG, talk with Richard F. Rico, director of staff of the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Brig. Gen. R. Scott Williams, commander of the ANGRC, Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard, and Brig. Gen. James C. Witham, deputy director of the ANG, after landing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, as they return 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)

Air Force Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard, greets Maj. Stan Coleman, 130th Air Wing, West Virginia ANG, and other Air Force RC-26 aircraft crewmembers after landing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013, as they return 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)

45th ESOS crewmembers speak with ANG and ANGRC leadership after landing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 12, 2013

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

Published July 18, 2013