U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet            MC-130P COMBAT                   SHADOW                  Mission The Combat Shadow                   flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship                   low-level air refueling missions for special operations                   helicopters, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of                   special operations forces by airdrop or airland intruding                   politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130P                   primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of                   visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its                   secondary mission includes the airdrop of                   leaflets.FeaturesModifications to                   the MC-130P feature improved navigation, communications,                   threat detection and countermeasures systems. The Combat                   Shadow fleet has a fully-integrated inertial navigation and                   global positioning system, and night vision goggle compatible                   interior and exterior lighting. It also has forward looking                   infrared, radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare                   dispensers, night vision goggle compatible heads-up display,                   satellite and data-burst communications, as well as in-flight                   refueling capability as a receiver (on 14                   aircraft).The Combat Shadow can fly in the day against                   a low threat. The crews fly night low-level, air refueling and                   formation operations using night vision goggles. To enhance                   the probability of mission success and survivability near                   populated areas, employment tactics incorporate no external                   lighting and no communications to avoid radar and weapons                   detection.Background MC-130Ps                   were previously designated HC-130N/P. However, the "H"                   designation is a rescue and recovery mission code and not                   representative of the aircraft's special operations role. In                   February 1996, Air Force Special Operations Command's tanker                   fleet was redesignated MC-130P aircraft, aligning the Combat                   Shadow with other M-series special operations mission                   aircraft. The aircraft have been part of the special                   operations mission since the mid-1980s. They provided critical                   air refueling to Army and Air Force helicopters during                   Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989. In 1990, the aircraft                   deployed to Saudi Arabia and Turkey for Operation Desert Storm                   and provided air refueling of special operations helicopters                   over friendly and hostile territory. Since Desert                   Storm, the MC-130P has been involved in many operations:                   Northern and Southern Watch, Deny Flight in Yugoslavia,                   Restore Democracy and Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Deliberate                   Force and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, Assured Response in                   Liberia, Guardian Retrieval from Zaire, Enduring Freedom in                   Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. The Combat Shadow has                   supported and participated in numerous evacuations, and search                   and humanitarian relief operations missions, and continues                   this support today. General                   CharacteristicsPrimary Function:                   Air refueling for special operation forces                   helicoptersBuilder:                   LockheedPower Plant: Four Allison                   T56-A-15 turboprop enginesThrust: 4,910                   shaft horsepower each engineWingspan: 132                   feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters) Length: 98                   feet, 9 inches (30.09 meters)Height: 38                   feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)Speed: 289                   mph (at sea level)Ceiling: 33,000 feet                   (10,000 meters)Maximum Takeoff Weight:                   155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)Range:                   Beyond 4,000 milesCrew: Two pilots and                   two navigators (officers); flight engineer, communications                   systems operator and two loadmasters                   (enlisted)Date Deployed:                   1986Unit Cost: $75 million (fiscal                   2001 dollars) Inventory: Active force,                   23; Reserve, 0; ANG, 4Point 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; e-mail:                   afsoc.pa@hurlburt.af.mil.