Beale Air Force Base Chosen As Permanent Home for New Intelligence Mission (July 2010)

I’m extremely pleased to share the good news that Beale Air Force Base has been chosen as the Air Force’s “sole preferred alternative” for the MC-12 spy plane mission. Beale, located in the Yuba-Sutter area, a standout among Air Force bases nationally, has over 4,000 personnel and has a total economic impact of over $451 million in the surrounding counties. This development will only increase the positive economic impact. Along with the planes, Beale AFB will be adding approximately 550 servicemembers. Recently, I had joined with other California representatives in contacting Air Force Secretary Michael Donley urging his consideration of Beale for this mission. The MC-12 is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces. The Air Force stated that Beale AFB was chosen over six other bases to permanently house the spy planes, already deployed in the War on Terror, because of its “access to training opportunities, synergy with existing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance flying missions, and collocation with the Distributed Ground Station mission.” I’m extremely pleased the Air Force concluded that Beale’s unmatched attributes make it a perfect fit for the MC-12. This decision will provide a boost to our local economy and help ensure that Beale remains one of our nation’s premiere reconnaissance bases long into the future.