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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   B-roll of MC-130H Combat Talon II. (U.S. Air Force)
                
                
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        An MC-130H Combat Talon II parked on the flightlineAn MC-130H Combat Talon II assigned to the 15th Special Operations Squadron is parked on the flightline after a morning rainstorm at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 21, 2018. The Combat Talon II is used for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply in contested or denied areas, and is capable of flying at altitudes as low as a few hundred feet above ground level through inclement and low-visibility weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victor J. Caputo)
                
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        An MC-130H Combat Talon II performs a flyoverAn MC-130H Combat Talon II performs a flyover during a Hurlburt Field 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 11, 2021. Nearly 3,000 people died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda Mahoney)
                
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        A MC-130H Combat Talon II flies above Hurlburt Field after takeoff.A MC-130H Combat Talon II flies above Hurlburt Field after takeoff. The MC-130H Combat Talon II provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)
                
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 MC-130H COMBAT TALON II**Mission**
The MC-130H Combat Talon II provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory. Secondary missions include psychological operations, and helicopter and vertical lift air refueling.**Features**
The aircraft features 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.
The MC-130H is equipped with aerial refueling pods to provide in-flight refueling of special operations forces and combat search and rescue helicopters and vertical lift assets. The MC-130H, designed in the 1980s, features an integrated glass flight deck which improves crew coordination and reduces the crew complement by two.

An MC-130H Combat Talon II flies over Hurlburt FieldAn MC-130H Combat Talon II assigned to the 15th Special Operations Squadron flies over Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 18, 2018. The MC-130H provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in support of training exercises and real-world missions across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dennis Spain)
            
            
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    A MC-130 Combat Talon II has its engines testedA MC-130 Combat Talon II, assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., has its engines tested at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, March 14, 2020. The MC-130 provides infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces and equipment to hostile or denied territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Tanenbaum)
            
            
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    MC-130H Combat Talon II flies over Hurlburt FieldAn MC-130H Combat Talon II assigned to the 15th Special Operations Squadron flies over Hurlburt Field, Fla., during a training mission July 7, 2017. Aircrew with the 15th SOS train to be able to operate the MC-130H in missions like providing infiltration and exfiltration of special operations forces, and can perform equipment resupply missions to hostile or denied territory anytime, anyplace. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick)
            
            
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**Background**
The first variant of the MC-130, 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 Vietnam 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.
Combat Talon IIs first arrived at Hurlburt Field, Florida, 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 their involvement in the evacuation of civilians from the Republic of the Congo in 1997, and they participated in combat operations in the Balkans during Operation Allied Force.
In 2001, MC-130Hs were employed to seize an airfield in southern Afghanistan, delivering U.S. Army Rangers to commence ground operations in Operation Enduring Freedom. Later in 2003, the MC-130H was the first U.S. aircraft to land at Baghdad International Airport to initiate missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since October 2001, this aircraft has been used extensively in combat and humanitarian operations worldwide including operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support, Tomodachi in Japan, Unified Response in Haiti, and Sahayogi Haat in Nepal.
The MC-130H is being replaced by the MC-130J Commando II. The MC-130H retirement is scheduled to be complete by fiscal year 2024.

**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:**  99 feet, 9 inches (30.4 meters)**Height:**  38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)**Speed:**  300 mph**Load:**  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); in-flight refueling extends this to unlimited range**Crew:**  Two pilots, a navigator and electronic warfare officer (officers); flight engineer and two loadmasters (enlisted)**Date deployed:**  June 1991**Unit cost:**  $160 million**Inventory:**  13

(Current as of March 2021)
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