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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   An MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing, flies over Sweden on Nov. 13, 2020. U.S. and Swedish armed forces conduct qualified exercises together to strengthen defense capabilities across land, air and sea domains to deter any opponent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Roidan Carlson)An MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing, flies over Sweden on Nov. 13, 2020. U.S. and Swedish armed forces conduct qualified exercises together to strengthen defense capabilities across land, air and sea domains to deter any opponent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Roidan Carlson)
                
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        Teak Action 21 Enhances U.S.-Australian InteroperabilityAn MC-130J Air Commando II flies off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, during exercise Teak Action 21, July 3, 2021. Through strict COVID-19 precautions, the 353rd Special Operations Group was able to train bilaterally with Royal Australian Air Force airmen, sharing tactics and procedures to foster increased interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Thompson)
                
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 MC-130J Commando II**Mission**
The Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces, by airdrop or airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets.**Features**
The MC-130J includes the following: advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics; fully populated Combat Systems Operator and auxiliary flight deck stations; 13 color multifunctional liquid crystal displays; head-up displays; fully integrated navigation systems with dual inertial navigation system and global positioning system; integrated defensive systems; low-power color radar; digital moving map display; new turboprop engines with six-bladed, all-composite propellers; digital autopilot; improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems; enhanced cargo-handling system; Universal Air Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI), air refueling pods, Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) System; dual SATCOM for voice/data; 60/90 KVA generators; increased DC electrical output, loadmaster/scanner restraint system; and LAIRCM provisions.

AFSOC Airmen visit EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 21An MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., orbits the airfield during an evening airpower demonstration as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wis., July 31, 2021. Air Force Special Operations Command, which was featured at EAA’s airshow, brought multiple aircraft from its inventory, displaying capabilities of airpower through aerial demonstrations and static displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda Mahoney)
            
            
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    435 CRG, going darkU.S. Air Force Airmen and Polish special forces members exercise aircraft ground support at an abandoned runway near Biala Podlaska, Poland, during an Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4, Sept. 15, 2021. The rotations are bilateral training exercises and deployments designed to enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readiness and support regional allies. U.S. aircraft and Airmen have participated in these rotations since 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
            
            
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    U.S. Special Operations, Australian Navy accomplish combined Black Hawk deck landingsAn MC-130J Air Commando II conducts helicopter air-to-air refueling with an MH-60 Black Hawk, during exercise Talisman Sabre 21 above Queensland, Australia, July 26, 2021. TS21 is Australia’s largest military exercise with the U.S. and is a demonstration of the strong alliance underpinned by deep levels of cooperation and trust built over decades of operating and training together. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Joshua Thompson)
            
            
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**Background**
The MC-130J is replacing the aging SOF fleet of 57 MC-130E, H and P aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered in September 2011 to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, with final delivery expected in fiscal year 2025.**General Characteristics
Primary Function:** Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland, air refueling of SOF helicopter/tilt rotor aircraft.**Builder:** Lockheed Martin**Power Plant:** Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 Turboprops**Thrust:** 4,591 shaft horsepower**Wingspan:**132 feet, 7 inches (39.7 meters)**Length:**97 feet 9 inches (29.3 meters)**Height:** 38 feet 10 inches (11.9 meters)**Speed:** 362 knots at 22,000 feet**Ceiling:** 28,000 feet with 42,000 lb payload**Maximum Takeoff Weight:**164,000 lbs**Range:** 3,000 miles**Crew:** Two pilots, one Combat Systems Officer (officers), and two Loadmasters (enlisted)**Date Deployed:** 2011**Unit Cost:** $114.2M (FY22)**Inventory:** Active duty, 57 by fiscal 2025
(Current as of March 2021)
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