MC-130E Combat Talon I / MC-130H Combat Talon II

The MC-130 Combat Talons are highly-modified C-130 Hercules transport planes operated by USAF Special Operations.

MC-130E/H - Roles

USAF Special Ops use the MC-130E/H aircraft for the following roles:

• airdrop / airland of personnel and equipment in support of Special Operations Forces
• deep penetration special operations helicopter in-flight refueling
• psychological operations (leaflet and ordnance drops)

MC-130E/H Variants

• MC-130E Combat Talon I
  operated by:
  • 919th Special Operations Wing (reserves), Duke Field, Florida
• MC-130H Combat Talon II
  operated by:
  • 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida
  • 352nd Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, England
  • 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan
  The MC-130H features advanced aircraft management and navigation systems that require a smaller crew than the E models.

MC-130E/H Features

For air-drop operations, MC-130s feature the high-speed aerial delivery system.

Some Combat Talons have been modified to accommodate MK32B-902E refueling pods in the wings. These, along with internal fuel tanks, allow the aircraft to refuel special ops helicopters and CV-22 Ospreys in-flight.

Avionics

A multi-mode radar and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors in the nose allow the MC-130 to fly at low level (below 250 ft) in all weathers. GPS and inertial navigation systems enable the crew to navigate to any spot on the globe.

Defensive Systems

Flare launchers and a pair of Nemeses Directional Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) pods, fitted each side of the rear fuselage, protect against both air-to-air and surface-to-air heat-seeking missiles. Various radar warning receivers, chaff launchers and electronic jammers detect and protect against radar-guided threats.

The distinctive bulge in the MC-130E/H's nose contains the AN/APQ-170 multi-mode radar. The smaller bump emanating from beneath the nose belongs to the FLIR sensor. photo by : US Air Force	A MC-130E Combat Talon I launches multiple flares. A combination of infra-red jammers and flare launchers are fitted to the aircraft in order to defend against heat-seeking missiles. photo : US Air Force

MC-130 Operational History

• 1980 - Iran - Operation Eagle Claw
  MC-130Es took part in the failed attempt to rescue Americans held hostage in Tehran.
• 1989 - Panama - Operation Just Cause
  MC-130Es flew the captured dictator, Gen. Manuel Noriega, from Panama to the States to stand trial.
• 1991 - Persian Gulf - Operation Desert Storm
  MC-130E/H aircraft flew helicopter refueling missions and leaflet drops. They also dropped 11 BLU-82 15,000lb 'Daisy Cutter' bombs on Iraqi troop formations.
  
• 1991 - Northern Iraq - Operation Provide Comfort
  MC-130E/H aircraft flew humanitarian missions in support of efforts to protect the Kurdish people.
  
• 1992-2003 - Iraq - Operation Southern Watch
  MC-130s supported the control of Iraqi airspace south of the 33rd Parallel.
• 1992-1996 - Former Yugoslavia - Operation Provide Promise
  MC-130s air-dropped humanitarian aid to several Balkan cities.
• 1996 - Liberia - Operation Assured Response
  USAF MC-130s evacuated American citizens from the war-torn African country.
• 2001 - Present - Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom
  MC-130s refueled helicopters and resupplied SOF and other troops in Afghanistan
• 2003 - Present - Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom
  MC-130E/H aircraft carried out resupply and refueling ops in Iraq

MC-130E/H Specifications

A USAF MC-130H prepares to take off as Special Tactics Squadron personnel run aboard via the rear ramp.

DoD photo by: TSGT DEBORAH K. ALVARADO, USAF

MC-130 Combat Talon Links & Resources

• photo : mc-130h combat talon ii

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