Editing Lockheed MC-130 (section)

==MC-130E Combat Talon==
[[File:Lockheed MC-130 USAF flares.jpg|thumb|left|MC-130E Combat Talon dispensing flares]]
[[File:Lockheed Hercules MC-130H Combat Talon II 2.jpg|thumb|MC-130 nose]]

===Development===
The Combat Talon was developed between December 1964 and January 1967 by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed Air Services]] (LAS) at [[Ontario, California]], as the result of a study by ''[[Big Safari]]'', the USAF's program office that modifies and sustains special mission aircraft. Two highly classified testbed aircraft (originally serial no. ''64-0506'' and ''-0507'', but with all numbers "sanitized" from the aircraft), were assigned to Project ''Thin Slice'' to develop a low-level clandestine penetration aircraft for [[Special Forces]] operations in Southeast Asia.{{sfn|Thigpen|2001|p=19}} In 1964, Lockheed was ordered to adapt the C-130Es after six [[C-123 Provider|C-123B Providers]] modified for "unconventional warfare" under Project ''Duck Hook'' proved inadequate for the new [[Studies and Observation Group|MACV-SOG]].<ref name="ct20">Thigpen (2001), p. 20.</ref> The modifications under ''Thin Slice'' and its August 1966 successor ''Heavy Chain'' were code-named ''Rivet Yard'',<ref>''Rivet'' is the prefix designation for the names of all modification projects controlled by the ''[[Big Safari]]'' office, in this case its Detachment 4 at Ontario, California.</ref> and the four C-130Es came to be known as "Yards".<ref>{{harvnb|Thigpen|2001|p=19}} Thigpen commanded the 8th SOS during Operation Just Cause and spent more than 10 years in the Combat Talon program.</ref> Discrete modification tests were conducted by the [[1198th Operational Evaluation and Training Squadron]], out of Area II of [[Norton AFB]] at San Bernardino, California, 30 miles east of Ontario.<ref>[[Lars Olausson|Olausson, Lars]], ''Lockheed Hercules Production List – 1954–2008'' – 25th ed., Såtenäs, Sweden, April 2007. Self-published. {{No ISBN}}.</ref><ref>Mueller, Robert, ''Air Force Bases Volume I – Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982''; Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, DC, 1989, p. 447. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}.</ref>
[[File:USAF Hercules MC-130E Combat Talon I at RIAT 2010 arp.jpg|thumb|MC-130E Combat Talon I of the <br />[[Air Force Reserve]]'s [[919th Special Operations Wing]] taxis to the runway at [[RIAT]] 2010]]

As the ''Thin Slice'' aircraft were being developed, 14 C-130Es were purchased for SOG in 1965 for similar modification. The first aircraft were production C-130Es without specialized equipment that were produced at Lockheed's facility in [[Marietta, Georgia]]. Three production airplanes per month were given the Fulton STARS (then ARS) system.<ref name="ct20" /> While awaiting the ARS equipment, the C-130s were ferried to [[Greenville, Texas]], for painting by [[Ling-Temco-Vought]] Electrosystems with a low-radar reflective paint that added 168&nbsp;kg (370&nbsp;lbs) to their weight. The velvet black-and-green scheme drew the nickname "Blackbirds".<ref name="ct58">Thigpen (2001), p. 58. That nickname lasted until the 1980s, when Dupont stopped manufacturing the paint.</ref> As installation was completed, the Blackbirds were returned to Ontario for installation of the electronics package, code-named ''Rivet Clamp''. The modified aircraft became known as "Clamps" (two of the original 14, ''64–0564'' and ''-0565'', were diverted to ''Heavy Chain'' in August 1966).<ref name="ct20" /> The aircraft collectively were assigned the designation ''Combat Talon'' in 1967.<ref name="ct88">Thigpen (2001), p. 88.</ref>

The [[Fulton surface-to-air recovery system]] was used to extract personnel and materials via air. A large [[helium]] [[balloon]] raised a nylon lift line into the air, which was snagged by a large scissors-shaped yoke attached to the nose of the plane. The yoke snagged the line and released the balloon, yanking the attached cargo off the ground with a shock less than that of an opening parachute. A sky anchor secured the line and wires stretched from the nose to both leading [[wing tip]] edges protected the propellers from the line on missed snag attempts. Crew members hooked the snagged line as it trailed behind and attached it to the [[Hydraulics|hydraulic]] [[winch]], pulling the attached person or cargo into the plane through the rear cargo door.

Following a death on 26 April 1982, at [[CFB Lahr]], Germany,<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 261–262, Appendix A, p. 469. The Special Forces soldier suffered a punctured lung and broken hip in the short fall, but died of complications from a [[tracheotomy]] during medical evacuation.</ref> the Fulton STARS system on the Clamp aircraft underwent intense maintenance scrutiny and employment of the system for live pickups was suspended. A major effort at upgrading the system, ''Project 46'',<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 304. So-called because its objective was to develop a capability of extracting four to six troops in a single pass.</ref> was pursued from 1986 to 1989, but at its conclusion, use of the STARS system for live extractions remained suspended. The Fulton STARS equipment of all Combat Talons was removed during 1998.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 38.</ref>

''Rivet Clamp'' installation began with four STARS-equipped C-130s completed by March 1966, followed by installations in eight further aircraft in July 1966 and January 1967.<ref name="ct20"/> The ''Rivet Clamp''s, originally designated C-130E(I)sp,<ref name="ct20"/> were equipped with an [[electronic countermeasures|electronic]] and [[infrared countermeasures|infrared (IR)]] [[countermeasure]]s suite; and the SPR2 later the AN/APQ-115 TF/TA multimode radar. This radar, adapted from the [[Texas Instruments]] AN/APQ-99 radar used in the [[F-4 Phantom II|RF-4C Phantom]] photo reconnaissance aircraft, featured [[terrain-following radar|terrain following/terrain-avoidance (TF/TA)]] and mapping radar modes, to enable it to operate at low altitudes at night and in all weather conditions and avoid known enemy radar and [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] weapons concentrations.<ref name="ct21">Thigpen (2001), p. 21. The 12 original C-130E(I) "Clamps" were ''64–0523'', ''-0547'', ''-0551'', ''-0555'', ''-0558'', ''-0559'', ''-0561'', ''-0562'', ''-0563'', ''-0566'', ''-0567'', and ''-0568''.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MC-130E Combat Talon I |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mc-130e.htm |access-date=10 December 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202043521/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mc-130e.htm |archive-date=2 December 2006 }}</ref>

Beginning in 1970, Texas Instruments and Lockheed Air Service worked to adapt the existing AN/APQ-122 Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS) with terrain following/terrain avoidance modes to replace the original APQ-115, which suffered throughout its life with an unacceptably adverse mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) rate. In 1970 they succeeded, and coupled the APQ-122 with the [[Litton Industries|Litton]] LN-15J [[Inertial Navigation System]] (INS). Known as MOD-70, the modified radar was installed in all 12 operational Combat Talons and the four ''Heavy Chain'' test beds between 1971 and 1973. The system proved so successful that it continued in service until the late 1980s.<ref name="ct66">Thigpen (2001), p. 66.</ref> Following the completion of MOD-70, the Combat Talons were divided into three designations: C-130E(CT) for the "Clamp" aircraft, C-130E(Y) for the "Yank" (formerly "Yard") Talons, and C-130E(S) for the "Swap".<ref name="ct70">Thigpen (2001), p. 70. The "Swap" Talons were originally Rivet Clamp modifications without the Fulton STARS apparatus.</ref> The Combat Talon I designations were consolidated in 1977 as the '''MC-130''' and have remained under that designation since.<ref name="ct168">Thigpen (2001), p. 168.</ref> The Combat Talon became the ''Combat Talon I'' in 1984 with the authorization for the modification of 24 C-130Hs to Combat Talon II specifications.<ref>Thigpen (2001), P. 396.</ref>

The "Yank" Talons conducted [[Classified information#Top Secret (TS)|top secret]] operations worldwide, under the project name ''Combat Sam'', until late 1972.<ref name="ct20" /> Two of the original "Clamps" were lost in combat in Southeast Asia and were replaced by two C-130Es (64-0571 and −0572).<ref name="ct21" /> These remained as Combat Talons until 1972, when ''Heavy Chain'' was gradually discontinued and its four "Yank" aircraft<ref name="ct21" /> were integrated into the Combat Talon force. The two original ''Thin Slice'' aircraft were given the serials of two destroyed C-130s, ''62-1843'' and ''63-7785'' respectively, to disguise their classified origins.{{sfn|Thigpen|2001|p=19}} The replacements had their modifications removed and returned to airlift duties, although known as "Swaps", they remained available for future Combat Talon use. Both eventually became Combat Talons again after further losses in the Combat Talon inventory.

Capability to act as a Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP) for helicopters on the ground was begun in 1980 in preparation for ''[[Operation Eagle Claw]]'' (see below), although only one system could be installed before the mission was executed. The refueling system consists of two palletized 6,800 L (1,800 gal) tanks (known as Benson tanks) mounted on rails within the Talon that tie into the C-130's own pressurized fuel dumping pumps and require no further equipment.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 237.</ref>

A major modification between 1986 and 1994, MOD-90, modernized the capability and serviceability of the Talon I to extend its service life. All 14 Combat Talon Is were equipped with upgraded navigational radars, an enhanced [[electronic warfare]] suite and provided new outer wings.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 473, lists all the changes. Other notable major upgrades were engine upgrade to [[Allison T56]]-A-15, new center wing boxes, installation of flare/chaff dispensers, infrared defensive pods, new FLIR, low gloss two-shade gray paint, the Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle/Slipway, and Benson tanks for all aircraft.</ref> By 1995 all Combat Talon Is were equipped with helicopter-[[air refueling]] pods.<ref name="fact">{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104534/mc-130h-combat-talon-ii.aspx |title=MC-130H Combat Talon II fact sheet |publisher=U.S. Air Force |access-date=6 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422182137/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104534/mc-130h-combat-talon-ii.aspx |archive-date=22 April 2016 }}</ref><ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 49 and 56.</ref>

===Southeast Asia operations===
The aircraft received for modification as Combat Talons were assigned in July 1965 to the [[464th Troop Carrier Wing]] at [[Pope Air Force Base]], [[North Carolina]]. Because of a lack of ramp space caused by the buildup of forces for deployment to [[South Vietnam]], they were temporarily housed at [[Sewart Air Force Base]], [[Tennessee]]. The wing's [[779th TCS]] was designated as the training squadron for the modified C-130E(I)s, under Project ''Skyhook'', in addition to its normal airlift function. Selected crew members received instructor training in their respective systems and returned to Pope by 1 May to begin crew training of six crews for deployment to Vietnam under Project ''Stray Goose''.<ref name=ct58/>

[[File:15th Special Operations Squadron.png|thumb|15th Special Operations Squadron]]
The Combat Talon I first saw operational action in the [[Vietnam War]], beginning 1 September 1966. The six ''Stray Goose'' crews deployed to [[Ching Chuan Kang Air Base]], Taiwan, and forward deployed to [[Nha Trang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]]. The deployment, known as ''Combat Spear'', preceded operational deployment of other Combat Talons to Europe (''Combat Arrow'') and the United States (''Combat Knife'').

''Combat Spear'' was administratively assigned as '''Detachment 1, 314th Troop Carrier Wing''', but was operationally controlled by MACV-SOG.<ref name="ct7778">Thigpen (2001), pp. 77–78.</ref> On 9 October 2009, Detachment 1, 314th Troop Carrier Wing received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] for its support of MACV-SOG activities. [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Chief of Staff of the Air Force]] General [[Norton A. Schwartz]] presented the award to the unit during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, culminating a six-year campaign by former ''Stray Goose'' member Richard H. Sell<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 84–85. Sell was co-pilot of 64–0563 when it flew the first resupply mission into North Vietnam on 17 January 1967, to support a SOG Road Watch team, for which the entire SG-05 crew received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].</ref> to achieve the recognition after the unit was not included in a PUC awarded 4 April 2001, to MACV-SOG for the same period.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Schanz |first=Marc|date=December 2009 |title=Vietnam War Unit Honored|journal=Air Force Magazine|publisher=Air Force Association |volume=92 |issue=12 |page=19}}</ref>

On 15 March 1968, the detachment was designated the 15th Air Commando Squadron, and then the [[15th Special Operations Squadron]] on 1 August 1968, and made part of the [[14th Special Operations Wing]]. In Vietnam, the aircraft was used to drop leaflets over [[North Vietnam]]ese positions, and to insert and resupply special forces and indigenous units into hostile territory throughout Southeast Asia. Combat Talon crews operated unescorted at low altitudes and at night.<ref name="ct82">Thigpen (2001), pp. 82–83.</ref>

By 1970 twelve Combat Talons were operational in three units of four aircraft each:<ref name="ct139">Thigpen (2001), p. 139.</ref>
* [[7th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Ramstein Air Base]], Germany;
* 15th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam; and
* Detachment 2, [[1st Special Operations Wing]], Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, (redesignated 318th SOS in 1971 and 8th SOS in 1974).<ref name="ct67">Thigpen (2001), p. 67. By tradition, the Talon base within the continental United States, because of its training responsibilities, is referred to as "the schoolhouse," a nickname first passed to Hurlburt Field, then to Kirtland Air Force Base when the 550th SOS began operations.</ref>

The 15th SOS was redesignated the 90th SOS on 23 October 1970,<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 111. The 90th had been an [[A-37 Dragonfly]] attack squadron, and when the A-37's were turned over to the Vietnamese Air Force, its designation was transferred to preserve its long heritage.</ref> relocated to [[Cam Ranh Bay Air Base]],<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 113,</ref> then moved to [[Kadena Air Base]], [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]], in April 1972 as part of the drawdown of U.S. forces in Vietnam. It was again redesignated, becoming the 1st SOS on 15 December 1972, and began transition from the "Clamp" to the "Yank" variant.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 114. The following Talons served in Southeast Asia at some point between 1966 and 1972: 64–0523, −0547 (lost), −0551, −0555, −0558, −0561, −0562, −0563 (lost), −0567, and −0568.</ref>

====Kingpin====
[[File:Sontayraiders.jpg|thumb|Mixed formation of helicopters and Combat Talon of the Son Tay rescue operation during a practice mission]]
Two Combat Talons were employed as navigation escorts and for airborne control during ''[[Operation Ivory Coast|Operation Kingpin]]'', the operational phase of the attempted rescue of [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] from [[Son Tay]] prison camp in North Vietnam on 21 November 1970. 64-0523 was drawn from the 15th SOS at Nha Trang<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 143. The Talon was already at LAS Ontario for previously-scheduled modifications when it was sourced to the rescue operation.</ref> and 64-0558 from Det. 2, 1st SOW at Pope AFB. The aircraft were modified at LAS Ontario with installation of FL-2B [[Forward looking infrared|FLIR]] sets borrowed from the ''Heavy Chain'' project to compensate for difficulties in terrain-following created by the slow speeds necessitated by the mixed aircraft force.<ref>Gargus, John (2007), ''The Son Tay Raid: American POWs in Vietnam Were Not Forgotten'', Texas A&M Press. {{ISBN|1-58544-622-X}}, p. 58. Gargus was radar navigator on ''Cherry 02'' and a mission planner.</ref>

24 primary and five backup crew personnel, all ''Stray Goose''/''Combat Spear'' veterans detached from 7th SOS (''Combat Arrow'') and 1st SOW (''Combat Knife''), developed helicopter-fixed wing formation procedures for low level night missions and jointly trained with selected Special Forces volunteers at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], Florida. Between the end of August and 28 September 1970, Talon, helicopter, and [[A-1 Skyraider]] crews supervised by Combat Talon Program Manager Lt. Col. Benjamin N. Kraljev rehearsed the flight profile in terrain-following missions over southern [[Alabama]], flying 368 sorties that totalled more than 1,000 hours.<ref>Gargus (2007), pp. 63–64.</ref> A month of intensive joint training with the Special Forces rescue force followed at a replica of the prison camp.

In early November the task force deployed to [[Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base]], Thailand. The 24 primary crew members, a 7th SOS crew (''Cherry 01'') under Major Irl L. "Leon" Franklin and a 1st SOW crew (''Cherry 02'') commanded by Lt Col Albert P. "Friday" Blosch, conducted the mission, which was successfully executed without loss of any personnel. However the operation failed when the prison was found not to contain any prisoners.<ref name="kp">Thigpen (2001), pp. 139–157.</ref>

===Post-Vietnam developments===
In 1974 the Combat Talon program was nearly dismantled as the Air Force sought to reverse its Vietnam emphasis on special operations. The 1st Special Operations Wing was redesignated the 834th Tactical Composite Wing and its Combat Talons of the 8th SOS became a [[Tactical Air Command|TAC]] asset. However the use of 1st SOS "Yank" Talons in a sea surveillance role off [[North Korea]] in 1975 revived interest in the Combat Talon,<ref name="ct160">Thigpen (2001), p. 160.</ref> as did the Israeli [[Operation Entebbe|hostage rescue at Entebbe Airport]]. The same year, a Combat Talon of the 1st Special Operations Wing was deployed in support of US Marines forces on [[Koh Tang]] island during the [[Mayaguez incident]], dropping a single [[BLU-82]] 6,800&nbsp;kg (15,000&nbsp;lb) bomb to enable their extraction.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grandolini|first=Albert|title=Cambodia 1954–1999; Part 2|url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=47|publisher=ACIG.org|access-date=6 February 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218015419/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=47|archive-date=18 December 2014}}</ref> However, as late as 1978–79, Air Force Special Operations Forces was still disregarded by many staff planners, who saw it as a drain on resources and not a force enabler, and wanted the entire Talon force transferred to the [[Air National Guard]].<ref name="cult">Koskinas (2006), p. 103.</ref> In early 1977 the Combat Talon was redesignated ''MC-130E'' by Headquarters Air Force for all three variants of the aircraft.<ref name="ct168"/>

By November 1979, the Combat Talon force of 14 MC-130Es was divided among three squadrons, the first two of which were operationally deployed, and the third at Hurlburt essentially the force training squadron:<ref name="ct184">Thigpen (2001), p. 184.</ref>
* [[1st Special Operations Squadron]], Kadena Air Base, Okinawa – (four MC-130 Yanks);
* 7th Special Operations Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany – (four MC-130 Clamps); and
* [[8th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida – (six MC-130 Clamps).

====Eagle Claw====
[[File:1st Special Operations Squadron.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|'''1st Special Operations Squadron'''}}]]
Following the [[Iran Hostage Crisis|seizure of the U.S. embassy]] in [[Tehran]], Iran, on 4 November 1979, training operations for a rescue mission of the 53 hostages began as early as 7 November by Talon crews at Kadena AB, and 26 November by crews at Hurlburt.<ref name="ct182">Thigpen (2001), p. 182.</ref> At that time only seven Combat Talons had the [[Aerial refueling|in-flight refueling]] capability necessary for the mission, which was to be mounted out of either Egypt or [[Diego Garcia]] ([[Masirah Island]] did not become available as a base until April 1980).<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 184. 62-1843, 63–7785, 64–0564, and 64-0565 of the 1st SOS, and 64-0562, 64–0567, and 64-0572 of the 8th SOS. In-flight refueling of helicopters was rejected as an option because the [[Lockheed HC-130|HC-130s]] available to refuel them had no IFR capability themselves.</ref> All were assigned to the operation,<ref name="ct184" /> a complex two-night plan called [[Operation Eagle Claw|''Eagle Claw'']]. Talon crews using [[night vision goggles]] practiced blacked-out landings to insert [[Delta Force]] operators and [[U.S. Army Rangers]] deep into Iran, and developed several methods for delivering extra fuel for the US Navy [[CH-53 Sea Stallion|RH-53D Sea Stallion]] helicopters chosen to carry out the rescued hostages. Four transcontinental, all-component, two-night rehearsals were held between December 1979 and March 1980, including a full-scale rehearsal 25–26 March that involved every element of the final plan except three EC-130s chosen to fly in fuel for the helicopters.<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 194–207. Electing to use EC-130s to ground refuel the helicopters instead of air-dropping blivets was not formally approved until April. The method was favored by ground commander Col [[Charles Alvin Beckwith|Charles Beckwith]], however, and so had been successfully rehearsed many times. Preparatory work to lay out the Desert One airstrip, acquire the EC-130s, and stage essential materiel to Egypt had preceded the formal approval of ''Eagle Claw's'' final form by weeks. Talons played the role of the three EC-130s in the full-scale rehearsal. The Holloway Commission criticized the task force for failing to conduct such a rehearsal, but since it did in fact occur, the commission may have been contending that another or multiple independently assessed "dress" rehearsals was desirable after the final form was approved by the JCS on 16 April, in hopes that the command and control difficulties would have been uncovered.  With a 1 May deadline because of a decreasing number of hours of darkness, there was no time to lay on further "dress  rehearsals", and all of the elements used on 24 April were in fact successfully executed 25–26 March. The entire training process was a five-month evolution of the two-night concept, employing techniques never before tried that had to be perfected before they could be rehearsed with other components. The ''ad hoc'' nature of this process, with its components scattered at various sites and stressing a "piece of the pie" for all the military services that resulted in helicopters and crews who were not special operations-trained, failed to build a team mentality, and it was this failure that the Holloway Commission targeted. The inclusion of the Navy helicopters proved particularly damaging because their air refueling probes had been removed, resulting in the necessity of the Desert One refueling point where the debacle occurred, whereas the Air Force special ops helicopters could have been aerial refueled in flight.</ref>

The four Talons (including a spare) of the 1st SOS staged to Masirah Island off the coast of [[Oman]] on 19 April 1980, to lead the Night One infiltration phase, while the three of the 8th SOS deployed to [[Qena|Wadi Qena]], Egypt, on 21 April to lead the Night Two exfiltration phase.<ref name="ct213">Thigpen (2007), pp. 213–215. Of the eight crews assigned, five were from 8th SOS and three from 1st SOS. The extra 1st SOS Talon and its crew were both a spare and the primary aircraft for ''Elbow Rub'', an alternative, highly classified project to heavily damage Iran's power grid had it been ordered as a retaliatory mission for harming the hostages (Thigpen, p. 203).</ref> To establish a "normal" C-130 presence in Egypt, Talons of the 7th SOS (none of which had aerial refueling capability) conducted regular flights using [[Military Airlift Command]] call signs in and out of Wadi Qena between 2 January and 8 April 1980. They also used the deception to discreetly pre-position needed equipment, including ammunition for [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130 gunships]], at the staging base.<ref name="ct196">Thigpen (2001), p. 196.</ref> The Talon crews also manned three borrowed [[Lockheed EC-130|EC-130E ABCCC]] aircraft configured to carry 68,100 L (18,000 U.S. gal) of jet fuel in six collapsible bladders for refueling the helicopters.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 213. The aircraft were obtained without crews and without their communications capsules from the 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron at [[Keesler Air Force Base]], Mississippi, the first on 15 March 1980, and the other two on 14 April.</ref> After returning to Masirah, three of the 8th SOS Night One crews would be flown to Wadi Qena to carry out the Night Two mission.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 211. The seventh primary crew, including author Thigpen, waited at Wadi Qena to lead the Night Two phase. The three crews would have been those of the lead Talon (''Dragon 1''), and two of the EC-130s, ''Republic 4'' and ''Republic 6''. Most of the crew of ''Republic 4'' died at Desert One.</ref>

The first phase of the rescue mission began the evening of 24 April, led by Lt Col Robert L. Brenci of the 8th SOS in Talon 64-0565, ''Dragon 1''.  The 1st SOS Talons successfully secured the forward operating location ("Desert One") in the Iranian Desert, but the helicopter portion of the mission ended in disaster. Although the mission was an embarrassing failure costing eight lives, seven helicopters, and an EC-130E aircraft in a ground accident, the MC-130s performed nearly flawlessly.<ref name="ct228">Thigpen (2001), p. 228.</ref> Planning initiatives for a second rescue attempt, under the project name ''Honey Badger'', began two weeks after the failed raid and continued through November. Combat Talon participation in ''Honey Badger'' amounted largely to tactics development, but ECM improvements included [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] and [[Flare (countermeasure)|flare]] dispensers and new ALR-69 threat receivers that improved its defensive countermeasures capability well beyond that existing prior to ''Eagle Claw''.

====Urgent Fury====
[[File:8th Special Operations Squadron.svg|thumb|left|{{center|'''8th Special Operations Squadron'''}}]]
Five Combat Talons of the 8th Special Operations Squadron participated in ''[[Operation Urgent Fury]]'', the United States invasion of [[Grenada]] between 25 and 31 October 1983.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 177. The MC-130Es were 64–0562, −0572, −0568, −0567, and −0551.</ref> Unlike previous operations that involved months of planning, training, and reconnaissance, the 8th SOS prepared in less than 72 hours after being alerted.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 276.</ref> Its assignment was to insert Rangers of the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions at night to capture [[Point Salines International Airport]], defended by both Cuban and Grenadan troops, in the opening moments of the operation. The five Talons divided into three elements, two of them leading formations of Special Operations Low Level-equipped (SOLL) C-130 transports.<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 281–282.</ref>

In clouds at {{convert|500|ft|abbr=on}} above the sea and {{convert|20|mi|abbr=on}} west of its objective, the lead Talon (64-0562) experienced a complete failure of its APQ-122 radar. Reorganization of the mission formations delayed the operation for 30 minutes, during which U.S. Marines made their amphibious landing. To compound the lack of surprise, the [[U.S. Department of State]], apparently in a [[good faith]] but inept diplomatic gesture, contacted Cuban authorities and compromised the mission, further alerting the defenses, including a dozen [[ZU-23-2]] antiaircraft guns. An [[AC-130 Spectre]] gunship, directed to observe the main runway for obstructions, reported it blocked by construction equipment and barricades. Loadmasters aboard the inbound Combat Talons reconfigured them for a parachute drop in less than thirty minutes.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 282.</ref>

Talon 64-0568, flown as ''Foxtrot 35'' by 8th SOS commander Lt Col James L. Hobson<ref>[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/106751/major-general-james-l-hobson-jr/ Major General James L. Hobson, Jr.], Air Force.mil. Retrieved 6 April 2016</ref> and with the commander of the [[Twenty-Third Air Force]], Maj Gen William J. Mall, Jr., aboard as a passenger, combat-dropped runway clearing teams from the Ranger Battalions on the airport, despite being targeted by a searchlight and under heavy AAA fire. Two Spectre gunships suppressed the AAA so that the other Combat Talons and the SOLL C-130s could complete the parachute drop of the Rangers, with the only damage to the Talons being three hits by small arms fire to 64–0572.<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 181–186.</ref> For his actions, Hobson was awarded the [[MacKay Trophy]] in 1984.<ref name="Thigpen 2001, p. 296">Thigpen (2001), p. 296.</ref>

===Other Combat Talon operations===

====Just Cause====
[[File:1st Special Operations Wing.svg|thumb|125px|{{center|1st SOW}}]]
Talons supported ''[[Operation Just Cause]]'', the United States invasion of [[Panama]] in December 1989 and January 1990.<ref name="fact"/> Three MC-130Es of the 1st Special Operations Wing deployed to [[Hunter Army Air Field]], Georgia within 48 hours of being alerted, then airlanded Rangers of the [[75th Ranger Regiment (United States)|2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment]] into [[Rio Hato]] Military Airfield on 18 December 1989. The operation was conducted under total blackout conditions, using night vision goggles, 35 minutes after the opening parachute assault. One of the MC-130s had an engine disabled by a ground obstruction while taxiing, then made an NVG takeoff on three engines under intense ground fire, earning its pilot the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]. The lead Talon, the only MC-130E equipped with the Benson tank refueling system, remained on the airfield as a Forward Area Refueling and Rearming Point (FARRP) for U.S. Army [[Hughes OH-6 Cayuse|OH-6]] helicopters.<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 323–330.</ref> When Panamanian General [[Manuel Noriega]] surrendered on 3 January, he was immediately flown to [[Homestead Air Force Base]], Florida, by a Combat Talon.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 335. Maj. David L. "Skip" Davenport was awarded the DFC at Rio Hato, and also flew Noriega to the United States.</ref>

====Desert Storm====
[[File:MC130E.jpg|thumb|MC-130E Combat Talon I of 711th SOS, 1996–present]]
The 1990 [[invasion of Kuwait]] by [[Iraq]] resulted in the deployment of four Combat Talons and six crews of the 8th SOS in August 1990 to [[King Fahd International Airport]] in Saudi Arabia as a component of ''[[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]]''.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 345. 64-0559, −0562, −0567, and −0568.</ref> During ''[[Operation Desert Storm]]'', the combat phase of the [[Gulf War]] in January and February 1991, the Combat Talon performed one-third of all [[airdrop]]s during the campaign, and participated in psychological operations, flying 15 leaflet-drop missions before and throughout the war.<ref name="fact"/> Combat Talon crews also conducted five [[BLU-82]]B "Daisy Cutter" missions during the two weeks preceding the onset of the ground campaign, dropping 11 bombs on Iraqi positions at night from altitudes between {{convert|16000|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|21000|ft|abbr=on}}, once in concert with a bombardment by the battleship [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']].<ref>Thigpen (2001), pp. 264–265.</ref>

Two 7th SOS Talons deployed to [[Incirlik Air Base]], Turkey, as part of ''Operation Proven Force''. They supported the first [[search and rescue|Joint Search and Rescue]] mission over Iraq, attempting to recover the crew of ''Corvette 03'', a downed [[F-15E Strike Eagle]]. However permission from the Turkish government to fly the mission was delayed for 24 hours, and the crew was not recovered.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 361. After the war it was found that both F-15E crewmen had died in the crash.</ref>

===Air Force Reserve Command===
On 6 October 1995, the Air Force began shifting the Combat Talon I force with the transfer of MC-130E, AF Ser. No. 64-0571, to the [[Air Force Reserve Command]]'s [[919th Special Operations Wing]], [[711th Special Operations Squadron]], based at [[Duke Field]] (Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3), Florida.  The 919th had previously flown the [[AC-130]]A Spectre in the gunship / close air support mission, and the increasing age of the AC-130A aircraft necessitated their retirement.

Six MC-130E aircraft went to the 711th SOS over the next year for crew training, and the squadron became operational on 1 March 1997.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 408.</ref> On 5 March 1999, the [[8th Special Operations Squadron]] became the first active force squadron to become an Associate Unit to an [[United States Air Force Reserve|Air Reserve Component]] organization, co-located with the 711th SOS, but without aircraft of its own, flying those of the reserve unit.<ref>Thigpen (2001), p. 452. Prior to this, all associate units were Air Force Reserve organizations assigned to active force wings.</ref> Ten of the Combat Talon Is were primary assigned aircraft (PAA), two were assigned to crew training, and two were placed in backup inventory aircraft (BIA) storage.<ref name="thig461">Thigpen (2001), p. 461.</ref>

A Combat Talon I was the first aircraft to land at [[New Orleans International Airport]] after [[Hurricane Katrina]] in August 2005. On 14 July 2006, the 8th SOS flew its last Combat Talon I mission and began conversion to the [[CV-22 Osprey]], ending 41 years of active service for the MC-130E Combat Talon I.  Although retired from the Regular Air Force, the MC-130E continued to remain in service with the [[Air Force Reserve Command]]'s [[919th Special Operations Wing]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Schanz |first=Marc|date=November 2006 |title=Air Force World|journal=Air Force Magazine|publisher= Air Force Association|page=18}}.</ref>

===Retirement===
The MC-130E Combat Talon I has been replaced by the MC-130J Commando II, which has the capability to complete missions faster and more efficiently than its MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130P Combat Shadow counterparts. Recapitalization was a stated priority of Lt Gen Donald C. Wurster, former commander of [[Air Force Special Operations Command]].<ref name="rollout">[https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/story/id/123250155/ "MC-130J rollout accelerates AFSOC recapitalization"]  by Rachel Arroyo, [[AFSOC]] Public Affairs, 5 April 2011</ref> Only eight MC-130E aircraft were still active in 2009,<ref name="fact" /> and four in 2013.  On 15 April 2013, the four MC-130Es took off on their final mission.<ref>[https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/109338/air-force-combat-talons-fly-for-last-time/ Air Force Combat Talons Fly for Last Time]  – Air Force.mil, 6 April 2016</ref> The MC-130E Combat Talon I was finally retired on 25 April 2013 in ceremonies at [[Duke Field]].<ref name="CTI">{{cite web |last=King |first=TSgt Samuel |year=2013 |url=https://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/News/story/id/123344937/ |title=Air Force Combat Talons fly for last time |publisher=919 SOW |access-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203223916/http://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344937 |archive-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref> Three of the aircraft were then flown to the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] at [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Arizona, while the fourth aircraft, AF Ser. No. 64-0523 (nicknamed "Godfather") was flown to [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico on 22 June 2012, for eventual display at that base's airpark.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=1371&?id=-1&page=1&count=24 |title= 919th Special Operations Wing - Media Gallery|website=www.919sow.afrc.af.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217235147/http://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=1371&%3Fid=-1&page=1&count=24 |archive-date=17 February 2013}}</ref> The retirement date marked the 33rd anniversary of the Desert One, the mission to free American hostages in Iran, of which several MC-130Es were a part.<ref>[http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123346549 Air Force bids farewell to Combat Talon I] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721042615/http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123346549 |date=21 July 2013}} – Af.mil, 30 April 2013</ref>