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Join the Air ForceInformation > Factsheets > MC-130E/H Combat Talon                               I/II                               MC-130E/H                                 Combat Talon I/IIPosted                                 10/26/2007 Printable Fact SheetPhotos1 of 4Download                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResMission The                                 MC-130E Combat Talon I and MC-130H Combat Talon                                 II provide infiltration, exfiltration and                                 resupply of special operations forces and                                 equipment in hostile or denied territory.                                 Secondary missions include psychological                                 operations and helicopter air refueling                                 Features Both                                 aircraft feature terrain-following and                                 terrain-avoidance radars capable of operations                                 as low as 250 feet in adverse weather                                 conditions. Structural changes to a basic C-130                                 include the addition of an in-flight refueling                                 receptacle, and strengthening of the tail to                                 allow high speed/low-signature airdrop. Their                                 navigation suites include dual ring-laser gyros,                                 mission computers and integrated global                                 positioning system. They can locate, and either                                 land or airdrop on small, unmarked zones with                                 pinpoint accuracy day or night. An                                 extensive electronic warfare suite enables the                                 aircrew to detect and avoid potential threats.                                 If engaged, the system will protect the aircraft                                 from both radar and infrared-guided                                 threats. Both the MC-130E and                                 MC-130H are equipped with aerial refueling                                 pods to provide in-flight refueling of special                                 operations forces and combat search and rescue                                 helicopters. The primary difference                                 between the MC-130E and MC-130H involves the                                 degree of integration of the mission computers                                 and avionics suite. The Combat Talon I was                                 conceived originally and developed during the                                 1960s, and although extensively upgraded in the                                 1980-90s it still features analog                                 instrumentation and does not fully integrate the                                 sensors and communications suites. The Combat                                 Talon II, designed in the 1980s, features an                                 integrated glass flight deck which improves crew                                 coordination and reduces the crew complement by                                 two.Background The                                 MC-130E Combat Talon first flew in 1966 and saw                                 extensive service in Southeast Asia, including                                 the attempted rescue of Americans held at the                                 Son Tay prisoner-of-war camp in 1970. Also, the                                 MC-130E landed in the Iranian desert in April                                 1980 in support of Operation Eagle Claw, the                                 attempt to rescue American hostages held by                                 Iran. The MC-130E saw combat in Grenada                                 in 1983, delivering U.S. Army Rangers to Point                                 Salinas Airfield in the opening moments of                                 Operation Urgent Fury, and subsequently                                 performing psychological operations leaflet                                 drops. In 1989 they led the joint task force for                                 Operation Just Cause in Panama, helping to seize                                 the airfield at Rio Hato. In 1990,                                 MC-130Es were employed in Operation Desert                                 Storm, where they dropped 11 BLU-82 15,000-pound                                 bombs and more than 23 million leaflets in a                                 highly effective effort to encourage Iraqi                                 soldiers to surrender. They also conducted                                 numerous aerial refuelings of special operations                                 helicopters with combat search and rescue                                 operations. The MC-130H Combat Talon II                                 first arrived at Hurlburt Field, Fla., June 29,                                 1992, and after acceptance testing, began                                 official flying operations Oct. 17, 1992. Since                                 then, the MC-130H has played a vital role in                                 AFSOC operations. Some of the aircraft's                                 highlights include the evacuations of                                 non-combatant Americans and other civilians from                                 conflicts in Liberia in 1996. Also, in 1998, a                                 Combat Talon II aircrew was awarded the Mackay                                 Trophy for the involvement in the evacuation of                                 civilians from the Republic of the Congo (1997);                                 and they participated in combat operations in                                 the Balkans during Operation Allied Force.                                 More recently, both aircraft have been                                 used extensively in operations Enduring Freedom                                 and Iraqi Freedom in a variety of roles.                                 General Characteristics                                 Primary Function:                                 Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of                                 special operations                                 forces Contractor:                                 Lockheed Power Plant: Four                                 Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines                                 Thrust: 4,910 shaft                                 horsepower each engine                                 Wingspan: 132 feet, 7                                 inches (40.4 meters)                                 Length: MC-130E: 100                                 feet, 10 inches (30.7 meters) MC-130H: 99                                 feet, 9 inches (30.4 meters)                                 Height: 38 feet, 6 inches                                 (11.7 meters) Speed: 300                                 mph Load: MC-130E: 53                                 troops, 26 paratroopers MC-130H: 77 troops,                                 52 paratroopers or 57 litter patients                                 Ceiling: 33,000 feet                                 (10,000 meters) Maximum Takeoff                                 Weight:155,000 pounds (69,750                                 kilograms) Range: 2,700                                 nautical miles (4,344 kilometers); Inflight                                 refueling extends this to unlimited range                                 Crew: MC-130E: Two                                 pilots, two navigators and an electronic warfare                                 officer (officers); flight engineer, radio                                 operator and two loadmasters                                 (enlisted)MC-130H: Two pilots, a navigator                                 and electronic warfare officer                                 (officers); flight engineer and two                                 loadmasters (enlisted)Date                                 Deployed: MC-130E, 1966; MC-130H, June                                 1991 Unit Cost: MC-130E,                                 $75 million; MC-130H, $155 million (fiscal 2001                                 constant dollars)                                 Inventory: Active force,                                 MC-130H, 20; Reserve, MC-130E, 10; ANG,                                 0Point of                                 ContactU.S. Air Force                                 Special Operations Command, Public Affairs                                 Office; 229 Cody Ave, Ste 103; Hurlburt Field FL                                 32544-5312; DSN 579-5515 or                                 850-884-5515 Inside                               AF.milSearchAdvanced                                 SearchView All RSS AircraftA-10                               Thunderbolt IIAC-130H/UB-1B                               LancerB-2                               SpiritB-52                               StratofortressC-130                               HerculesC-17                               Globemaster IIIC-20C-21C-32C-37AC-40B/CC-5                               GalaxyCV-22                               OspreyE-3                               Sentry (AWACS)E-4BE-8C                               Joint StarsE-9AEC-130H                               Compass CallEC-130J                               Commando SoloF-15                               EagleF-15E                               Strike EagleF-16                               Fighting FalconF-22                               RaptorHC-130P/N                               KingHH-60G                               Pave HawkKC-10                               ExtenderKC-135                               StratotankerMC-12MC-130E/H                               Combat Talon I/IIMC-130P                               Combat ShadowMC-130W                               Combat SpearOC-135B                               Open SkiesRC-135U                               Combat SentRC-135V/W                               Rivet JointT-1A                               JayhawkT-38                               TalonT-6A                               Texan IIU-2S/TU-2SUH-1N                               IroquoisVC-25                               - Air Force OneWC-130                               HerculesWC-135                               Constant                         Phoenix            The Official Web site of the United States Air             Force Site MapContact                   UsQuestionsSecurity and                   Privacy noticeE-publishing