Altus candidate for MC12W mssion Published April 26, 2010 ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- On April 23, Air Force officials announced that Altus AFB, Okla., is one of the six bases being considered to be the home of the MC-12W aircraft. "The 97th Air Mobility Wing is proud to be one of six bases on the recently announced final list to be considered for basing of the new MC-12W aircraft," said Col. Ty Thomas, 97th AMW Commander. "We look forward to working over the next year with our higher headquarters to show how Altus Air Force Base has the facilities, ramp capacity and airspace to result in a successful bed down of this important asset." The MC-12 is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. It's primary mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, support directly to ground forces. The MC-12 ircraft are military versions of the Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350 and Super King 350ER. Officials selcted the candidate bases were selected using previously announced basing criteria. Specific numbers of aircraft and personnel expected to be potentially based at Altus AFB remain to be determined. A site survey team from Headquarters Air Combat Command will be scheduled to visit the 97th AMW within the next few months to perform a detailed assessment of the suitability of Altus AFB to host MC-12W operations as a permanent operating base. A final decision is expected to be made by the Air Force in the spring of 2011. For more information, visit www.af.mil or contact the 97th AMW Public Affairs office at (580) 481-7700.