Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      An MC-130P Combat Shadow awaits its final checks on Kadena Air Base, Japan, before departing for the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 15, 2015. The 17th Special Operations Squadron sent off the final two Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces to retire after nearly 50 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)Last MC-130P Combat Shadows in Pacific retire
                        
                        
                        An MC-130P Combat Shadow awaits its final checks on Kadena Air Base, Japan, before departing for the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 15, 2015. The 17th Special Operations Squadron sent off the final two Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces to retire after nearly 50 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        The MC-130P Combat Shadow team performs the final checks before takeoff on Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 15, 2015. The 17th Special Operations Squadron sent off the final two Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces to retire to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)Last MC-130P Combat Shadows in Pacific retire
                        
                        
                        The MC-130P Combat Shadow team performs the final checks before takeoff on Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 15, 2015. The 17th Special Operations Squadron sent off the final two Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces to retire to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        One of the last two MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Pacific takes off from Kadena Air Base, Japan, and begins its journey to retirement at the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 15, 2015. From providing helicopter air-to-air refueling to conducting long-range support of Special Operations Forces, the Combat Shadow has provided a critical service to the U.S. military for nearly 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)Last MC-130P Combat Shadows in Pacific retire
                        
                        
                        One of the last two MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Pacific takes off from Kadena Air Base, Japan, and begins its journey to retirement at the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 15, 2015. From providing helicopter air-to-air refueling to conducting long-range support of Special Operations Forces, the Combat Shadow has provided a critical service to the U.S. military for nearly 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Last MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Pacific retirePublished April 23, 2015
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel
                    
                    
                    18th Wing Public Affairs
            **KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --**The 17th Special Operations Squadron sent off the final two MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces to retire on April 15.The 17th SOS highlighted the beginning of the MC-130P Combat Shadow retirement with one final formation flight on Oct. 16, 2014, at Kadena Air Base, but now they have sent their last ones to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona."Today is bittersweet as we say goodbye to these amazing aircraft," said Lt. Col. Nathan T. Colunga, the 17th SOS commander. "I have spent less time in the MC-130P than most, only 11 years, but these aircraft have executed every time we've truly needed them to over the last 50. The MC-130P's legacy will not be forgotten as we mark this historic moment in the lineage of the 17th SOS, Air Force Special Operations Command and the Combat Shadow community at large."The Pacific-based Combat Shadows alone have supported more than a dozen named operations. From combat missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom to humanitarian assistance disaster relief operations across Asia, the Combat Shadow left its mark in special operations history."I have flown in the MC-130P since 2000, and it has taken me to all corners of the globe in peacetime and in combat," said Maj. Curtis P. Reinhart, a 17th SOS navigator. "The Combat Shadow has been the workhorse of AFSOC and it will be emotional flying it to its final resting place.  I'll be sad to see it go, but it has earned a well-deserved retirement."From providing helicopter air-to-air refueling to conducting long-range support of Special Operations Forces, the MC-130P Combat Shadow has provided a critical service to the U.S. military for nearly 50 years.The MC-130P Combat Shadows built with 1960s technology are being replaced by the new MC-130J Commando II with cutting-edge technology.Japan 



PACAF 



MC-130P Combat Shadow 



retire 



Aircraft 



C-130 



Kadena AB Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil