Beale Air Force Base is a key intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) installation located in Yuba County, Northern California, approximately 40 miles north of Sacramento. As the home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale is responsible for operating the U-2 Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and other cutting-edge ISR aircraft critical to national defense and global military operations. The base also supports the 940th Air Refueling Wing (AF Reserve) and the U.S. Space Force’s 7th Space Warning Squadron. Established in 1942, Beale spans over 23,000 acres of open terrain, offering ideal conditions for high-altitude aviation. With global reach and 24/7 mission readiness, Beale AFB is a cornerstone of the Air Force’s strategic ISR enterprise and a vital contributor to U.S. military superiority.