page_title: Lockheed HC-130
section_title: U.S. Coast Guard operations
hierarchical_section_title: Lockheed HC-130 / Operational history / U.S. Coast Guard operations
caption_attribution_description: US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules taken at Lajes Air Base (Terceira Island) in the Azores
context_page_description: The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue /combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, with two different versions operated by two separate services in the U.S. armed forces.
  The HC-130H Hercules and HC-130J Hercules versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role.
  The HC-130P Combat King and HC-130J Combat King II variants are operated by the United States Air Force for long-range SAR and CSAR. The USAF variants also execute on scene CSAR command and control, airdrop pararescue forces and equipment, and are also capable of providing aerial refueling to appropriately equipped USAF, US Army, USN, USMC, and NATO/Allied helicopters in flight. In this latter role, they are primarily used to extend the range and endurance of combat search and rescue helicopters.
  In July 2015, it was announced that the U.S. Forest Service will be receiving some of the U.S.
context_section_description: The United States Coast Guard operates 18 HC-130H aircraft from three bases around the United States:
  CGAS Clearwater, Florida
  CGAS Kodiak, Alaska
  CGAS Barbers Point (formerly NAS Barbers Point), Hawaii
  These aircraft are used for search and rescue, enforcement of laws and treaties, illegal drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, military readiness, International Ice Patrol missions, as well as cargo and personnel transport.
  The Coast Guard also currently operates an additional 9 HC-130J aircraft from CGAS Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
  Neither the HC-130H nor the HC-130J in their U.S. Coast Guard variants are equipped for the aerial refueling of helicopters.
caption: USCG HC-130J
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