MC-130W arrives for duty at Hurlburt Field

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 16 SOW Public Affairs
Adding a twelfth airframe to its inventory, the 16th Special Operations Wing grew one-plane larger July 21 with the arrival of the MC-130W.

The new airframe touched down at 12:44 p.m., taxied, then parked in front of base operations for a reception including Col. Paul Harmon, 16th SOW vice commander.

The pilots were Lt. Col. Thomas Markland and Maj. Richard Dyer, both assigned to Detachment 2, 16th Operations Group.

"I felt like the luckiest man alive – privileged to be part of such a formidable team delivering Air Force Special Operations Command’s future combat capability," Colonel Markland said. "Flying the maiden voyage was the most unique non-combat experience of my Air Force career."

Similar to passing the keys to a new truck, the airplane's maintenance logbook was presented to Staff Sgt. Somkit Chittakhone, 16th Air-craft Maintenance Squadron and the aircraft’s honorary crew chief.
The airframe came to Hurlburt after undergoing modification at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

This MC-130 variant – the first of a dozen such modified aircraft planned – is equipped with air refueling pods for in-flight refueling of special operations helicopters, basic electronic warfare equipment and a strengthened tail.
It can accomplish the same mission as the current MC-130H Talon II and the MC-130P Combat Shadow.

Colonel Markland said there were other differences between the "Whiskey" variant and the MC-130s al-ready on the Hurlburt tarmac.

"The aircraft is 24 years newer than other aircraft I've flown. It handles beautifully and, more importantly, offers more airlift capacity – increased available weight and cubic feet – without sacrificing capability," said the lieutenant colonel.