USAF 17SOS MC-130J aircraft conduct unit wide training exercise

MC-130J Command IIs assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron fly in formation Feb. 17, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The 17th SOS conducted a unit-wide training exercise which tasked the entire squadron with a quick-reaction, full-force sortie involving a five-ship formation flight, cargo drops, short runway landings and takeoffs, and helicopter air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Peter Reft)

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Instead of the usual howl of jet engines, members of Kadena Air Base heard the growl of 120 turboprop blades chopping the air as the 17th Special Operations Squadron’s MC-130J Commando IIs dominated the airfield scene Feb. 17.

Within an hour of standing by at stations, the aircraft took to the skies during the Pacific region's first five-ship formation flight involving the new specialized mobility aircraft.

The formation was part of the 353rd Special Operations Group's training exercise that tested the 17th SOS and the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron to launch a short-notice, large-scale tasking.

"We routinely fly two ships, but we mobilized five ships to test our ability to generate aircraft in full force, to make sure our maintenance can support that, and to make sure we can do the planning in case we are ever asked to fly a large formation," said Maj. Brad Talley, the 17th SOS assistant director of operations.

As part of that assessment, team members evaluated their formation flying and short runway landings; combat systems operators tested their cargo air drop timing; and loadmasters tested their cargo delivery system rigging abilities.

"We mobilized all available personnel in the squadron to execute this mission, while all five planes were able to accomplish all cargo drops, land in a small landing zone, maintain formation, and return safely," Talley said.

Though the team successfully accomplished the exercise objectives, it wasn't a simple process. Despite complex procedures, the 17th SOS Jakal team members overcame the challenges to ensure mission completion.

"The most difficult portion was the planning and safe execution of the mission, since most of our squadron isn't used to that level of de-confliction complexity," said Senior Airman Zach Harmon, a 17th SOS MC-130J Commando II loadmaster.

To Talley, the best part of the mission was seeing the whole team fly together and build camaraderie.

"My favorite part was flying in close formation with all my Jakal brethren, exploring various formation geometries, and seeing how well each crew flew," Talley said.

The 17th SOS was activated as a permanent unit at Kadena AB on Aug. 1, 1989, and is instrumental in carrying out wartime and contingency operations in support of U.S. and allied special operations forces.

The 17th SOS began the transition from the MC-130P Combat Shadows to the MC-130J Commando IIs in Dec. 2014, with the latest aircraft arriving on Kadena in Oct. 2015. Technological advances allow the Commando II to set new standards for safety and accuracy in executing clandestine missions.

The new aircraft specializes in nighttime, low-level infiltration/exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces as well as air refueling missions for special operations’ vertical lift aircraft.

The 353rd SOG, made up of more than 800 Airmen, is the only Air Force Special Operations Command unit in the Pacific and is integral to AFSOC. The group conducts wartime and contingency operations planning and execution as well as humanitarian and relief operations, all the while maintaining global mobility readiness for special forces around the world.        

MC-130J Commando IIs assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron fly in formation Feb. 17, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The 17th SOS conducted a unit-wide training exercise which tasked the entire squadron with a quick-reaction, full-force sortie involving a five-ship formation flight, cargo drops, short runway landings and takeoff, and helicopter air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Peter Reft)

Air Force changes name of MC-130J

by Ashley M. Wright, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Officials announced a popular name change for the MC130J here March 9 that honors the Air Commando legacy and capitalizes on the versatility of the aircraft.

"Air Force Special Operation Command MC-130Js will be equipped to fly various missions and will be called Commando II," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, the AFSOC commander, in the memorandum requesting the change. "This name best reflects the multi-mission role of the aircraft and the units that will fly them."

The Commando II flies low-visibility, low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft, and infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories, according to the official Air Force factsheet.

The aircraft's popular name previously was Combat Shadow II. Alternate names considered included Combat Knife and Combat Arrow. A popular name, according to the joint service Air Force Instruction 16-401(I), "characterize aerospace vehicle missions and aid communications and media references."

The process for requesting the popular name change began in September 2011, said Don Purvis, an AFSOC logistics management specialist. The memorandum from the AFSOC commander was sent to the asset identification flight at Air Force Material Command headquarters. From that point, a review was conducted by several agencies, including the Air Force Judge Advocate General and Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.

"This is one of the first name changes we approved," said Keven Corbeil, a Defense Department popular name control point in the flight. "I think 'Commando' had historical (significance for AFSOC)."

In addition to reflecting the current missions of AFSOC, the name change honors the legacy of the C-46, the original Commando. According to the AFSOC commander's memorandum, the new name "embodies the broader linage of special operations force aircraft."

The C-46 was used extensively during the Cold War and Korean War by various government agencies, said Herb Mason, the AFSOC historian. It doubled the payload and range of the C-47, which it replaced.

Just like its descendent, the original Commando performed a variety of missions. The C-46 was most famous for its operations in the Far East. The Commando was a workhorse in 'flying the hump' over the Himalayan Mountains, transporting desperately needed supplies from bases in India and Burma to troops in China. A variety of transports had been employed in the effort, but only the C-46 was able to handle the adverse conditions, according to an executive staff summary sheet for the popular name change request.

Commando II replaces the aging special operations forces fleet of 37 MC-130E and P tankers. The first aircraft arrived at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 29, 2011.

AFSOC's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB

Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II is marshaled into place Sept. 29, 2011, at Cannon Air Force Base, N/M. The MC-130J is the newest variant of the C-130J Super Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)

by Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing held an aircraft acceptance ceremony Sept. 29 on the flightline here for the arrival of Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II.

Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the AFSOC commander, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, the AFSOC director of plans, programs, requirements and assignments, were part of the official party flying the aircraft here for delivery to the 522nd Special Operations Squadron from the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, Ga.

The MC-130J is the next generation special operations warfighter and a newer, better special operations C-130, said Lt. Col. Paul Pendleton, the 522nd SOS commander. The MC-130J Combat Shadow II is the newest variant of the C-130J Super Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft. The C-130 has been continuously produced longer than any military aircraft in history and has been a crucial component of U.S. special operations for decades.

The "J-model" boasts more power and efficiency, longer range, shorter takeoff distance, a smaller required crew and a modern computerized flight deck, officials said.

"We can carry about 40 percent more, it's about 25 percent more powerful and 15 to 20 percent faster," Pendleton said. "It's entirely computerized; this allows us to better complete our mission."

A few of the Combat Shadow II's capabilities are to provide nighttime low-level infiltration and exfiltration, aerial refueling of helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft, aerial delivery and resupply of special operations forces and ground refueling, officials said.

Fiel said it's a historic event for Cannon Air Force Base and "marks a milestone in improving the combat capabilities of AFSOC and more importantly the 27 SOW.

"Members of the 522nd SOS will rewrite history as they fly the MC-130 farther, faster and higher," he said. "As innovative Air Commandos, you will push this plane to its limits and find creative ways to employ our people more effectively."

Col. Buck Elton, the 27th SOW commander, spoke briefly on the significance of receiving the new aircraft and what it means for AFSOC's mission.

"This newest version of a combat proven aircraft has big shoes to fill, but there is no doubt that the MC-130J will take specialized mobility to a new level," he said. "This incredible new aircraft will quickly become the backbone of our nation's C-130 fleet. This is an exciting time for our base, our command and our Air Force."