MC-130P Combat Shadow

The Combat Shadow first entered service in 1964 as the HC-130P. During the Vietnam War, it performed multiple missions including combat search and rescue, command and control, and helicopter air refueling. It was designed to carry supplemental fuel in additional internal cargo bay fuel tanks for extending range or air refueling. Following Vietnam, it was assigned to Tactical Air Command, then Military Airlift Command and the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, primarily in a search and rescue capacity. In 1990, the HC-130s were assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command, and in 1996 AFSOC redesignated the HC-130 as the MC-130P Combat Shadow to reflect its multi-mission special operations capabilities. The aircraft supported special operations forces during Operation JUST CAUSE and Operation DESERT STORM, and since DESERT STORM it contributed to every Special Operations contingency worldwide, including Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, DENY FLIGHT, DELIBERATE FORCE, and JOINT ENDEAVOR. Following the attacks of 9/11, Combat Shadows deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan and to Iraq during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and ODYSSEY DAWN. For almost 30 years, wherever Special Operations forces were employed, the Combat Shadow was there. Air Force HC130H 65-0994 was accepted from Lockheed on 30 August 1966 and served in combat in Southeast Asia and throughout the Pacific for much of its career. In 1993, the 9th Special Operations Squadron received this aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, but 65-0994 returned to Asia in 1994. In 2009, it arrived at the 9th Special Operations Squadron and participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM during the closing stages of the operation. From 2010 to 2012, it deployed to Afghanistan multiple times as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Hurlburt Field, Florida · United States