Nightstoppers at Prestwick

On 27 March 2022, two USAF Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft night stopped at Prestwick (UK). The two Liberties, serials 09-0656 (c/n FL-656) and 09-0678 (c/n FL-678) are operated by the 185th Special Operations Squadron (185th SOS) Sooners. Both aircraft originated their flightwith callsign JAG88 respectively JAG99 at Waco (TX) on 24 March.

The 185th SOS is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard's 137th Special Operations Wing operating from Oklahoma City/Will Rogers World (OK). This unit, part of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is the only National Guard and only USAF unit equipped with the MC-12W. According to the Scramble database this unit has 25 aircraft in its operational inventory.

The MC-12W is the USAF version of the Beechcraft King Air 350 modified for the ISR role. The USAF operated originally eight King Air 350s and 29 King Air 350ERs and ended with 42 King Air 350ERs (including one combat loss). The type is in service since June 2009. All aircraft were transferred to USSOCOM, US Army, and other US government agencies by 2015.

Photos by Dougie Connery