Mc-130p

[psysicx]

I did a search but the info was dated. Going off of the last post do they still sit alert most of the time? Just waiting and not really flying?

 

[fredthead]

My guess is they will be sitting alert a lot more once they leave AFSOC and go back to ACC.

 

[stonewall]

Where do they sit alert? I happen to have a really good friend who's flown MC-130Ps for about 10 years and he's never sat alert...anywhere. Also no plans for them to go to ACC anytime soon.

 

[Pirate]

I think your talking about HC-130 P/N. They do sit alert, but depending on the unit; you can still get a decent amount of fliying. There is one rescue unit that flys MC-130Ps, CA guard. They fly MCs in an HCs role. Rescue is returning to ACC from AFSOC, but the straight SOS papas are in AFSOC to stay.

 

[fredthead]

Magnum, maybe I'm reading something wrong.

www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123018516

 

[psysicx]

So the MC never sits alert? The reason I said that was the old thread mentioned it. It sounds like a cool mission do refueling at night at low level.

 

[Goose17]

Combat Shadow

I flew the MC-130P in AFSOC for 3 years before I switched to the MC-130H Talon II. When I was in MC-130Ps we flew alot and we also had alert commitments. Anytime you hang a helo refueling hose on a 130, you are tied to them and thus get to sit alert with them. The flying was fun - lots of NVG low level - crazy low level formation, but I must admit that I much preferred the MC-130H.

If you chose to go -Ps, you will have a good time.

Goose17

 

[Deuce130]

The HC-130P/N is a CSAR tanker for the CSAR helos. They primarily sit alert, but are capable of doing a wide variety of special ops missions. The MC-130P Combat Shadow is AFSOC's primary helo refueler, mostly dealing with MH-53s and Army SOF helos. In the AOR, the primary alert tanker is the HC-130P/N. The MC-130P will assume an alert role on occasion, but not for CSAR. When deployed, they primarily fly SOF missions but will sometimes tag a non-flying crew to act as an alert bird in case they need to launch for SOF related missions. The recent shakeup has to do with the HC-130's returning to ACC. A couple of years ago they switched from ACC to AFSOC, where I and many others felt they belonged. For reasons much higher in rank than me, they've been switched back to ACC. If I had my way, which I don't, the HC-130P/N would be redesignated an MC-130P Block XX and the crews would be interchangeable with some slight differences training, kind of like the difference between flying Block 30 F-16s and Block 50 F-16s.
And, yes, refueling helos at 500' AGL on NVG's at 115 KIAS is cool to do. So is the low level, the airdrops, the NVG max effort landings, refueling behind a tanker, flying formation, and working with some pretty elite SOF dudes.

 

[Deuce130]

I but I must admit that I much preferred the MC-130H.

Goose17

Most homos do.









Just kidding!! Some of my best friends are Talon II pilots.

 

[Deuce130]

And I must say I'm honored that my beloved Shadow finally has its very own FI thread. And I didn't even have to start it.