Editing Lockheed MC-130 (section)

==MC-130J Commando II==
[[File:Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II with winglets takes off from Eglin Air Force Base in March 2016.jpg|thumb|A MC-130J modified with [[winglets]] takes off from [[Eglin Air Force Base|Eglin AFB]] in March 2016.]]
[[File:20200326 MC-130J Commando II Tail 10-5714-Kadena AB-29.jpg|thumb|20200326 MC-130J on final approach at [[Kadena Air Base]]]]
[[File:MC-130J Cockpit.jpg|thumb|{{center|A cockpit view of the MC-130J}}]]
Beginning in 1997, studies of the vulnerability of the non-stealthy MC-130 force reflected concerns about its viability in modern high-threat environments, including the prevalence of [[man-portable air-defense systems]] in [[asymmetric warfare|asymmetric conflicts]]. At least two studies were conducted or proposed to explore the prospect of a replacement aircraft (known variously as "MC-X" or "M-X"), with USAF at that time hoping for an Initial Operating Capability date of 2018.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mc-x.htm "MC-X Commando Spirit SOF Future Aircraft"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903232057/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mc-x.htm |date=3 September 2009 }}, GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 15 December 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.janes.com/defence/air_forces/news/jdw/jdw050509_1_n.shtml US Air Force defines future stealth transport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222083603/http://www.janes.com/defence/air_forces/news/jdw/jdw050509_1_n.shtml |date=22 February 2006 }}, Jane's.com. Retrieved 15 December 2009.</ref> One analyst questioned the survivability of slow non-stealthy platforms such as the MC-130 in future threat environments in a 2007 presentation to the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]], and stated his opinion that development of a stealthy replacement for the MC-130 is a "strategic priority".<ref>[http://www.csbaonline.org/4Publications/PubLibrary/S.20070222.Stealthy_Mobility_/S.20070222.Stealthy_Mobility_.pdf "Stealthy Mobility & Support Aircraft for US Special Operations Forces"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081126225336/http://www.csbaonline.org/4Publications/PubLibrary/S.20070222.Stealthy_Mobility_/S.20070222.Stealthy_Mobility_.pdf |date=26 November 2008 }}, by Robert C. Martinage. CSBA online. Retrieved 15 December 2009. Martinage, then a fellow with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment think-tank, went to become a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for SOF/low intensity conflict operations.</ref> The [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense's]] ''2006 [[Quadrennial Defense Review]] Report'' also recognized the concern, asserting DoD's intention to "enhance capabilities to support SOF insertion and extraction into denied areas from strategic distances."<ref name="qdr">{{cite web|url=http://www.defense.gov/qdr/report/Report20060203.pdf |title=2006 Quadrennial Defense Review report |publisher=U.S. department of Defense |access-date=15 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028014105/http://www.defense.gov/qdr/report/Report20060203.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2012 }}, p. 45.</ref>

Despite these concerns, the USAF decided to proceed with modernization of the current force. The Air Force stated it is to build 37 MC-130Js to replace its MC-130Es and MC-130Ps, both of which were 40 years old. Based on the [[KC-130J]] tanker operated by the [[United States Marine Corps]], the new MC-130J has added features for both combat search and rescue and special operations missions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/100419ae_hc130-rollout.html |title=First Lockheed Martin/USAF HC-130J Combat Rescue Tanker Rolls Out &#124; Lockheed Martin  |access-date=2 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426071249/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/100419ae_hc130-rollout.html |archive-date=26 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120303022553/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Features/modernization/Pages/box100609herk.aspx "New C-130J Model in Spotlight"]}}</ref> introducing major modifications to the Block 6.5 KC-130J. The MC-130J adds an Enhanced Service Life Wing, an Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) boom refueling receptacle, more powerful electrical generators, an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a [[combat systems officer]] (CSO) station on the flight deck, provisions for the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System, and armor.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/18/224745/lockheed-martin-c-130j-selected-for-new-special-operations.html "Lockheed Martin C-130J selected for new special operations role"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630214238/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/18/224745/lockheed-martin-c-130j-selected-for-new-special-operations.html|date=30 June 2008}} By [[Stephen Trimble]], Flightglobal, 18 June 2008</ref><ref>[http://cc-130j.ca/2011/lockheed-martin-rolls-out-first-special-operations-mc-130j-combat-shadow-ii/ "Lockheed Martin Rolls Out First Special Operations MC-130J Combat Shadow II"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809054429/http://cc-130j.ca/2011/lockheed-martin-rolls-out-first-special-operations-mc-130j-combat-shadow-ii/ |date=9 August 2011 }} 29 March 2011</ref>

Production of the first MC-130J aircraft was started at [[Lockheed Martin]]'s facility in Marietta, Georgia, on 5 October 2009.  Lockheed Martin also contracted to build an HC-130J tanker variant for Air Force Special Operations Command on its standard [[C-130J]] production line. The MC-130J is the first C-130 specifically built for special operations, making it lighter and more efficient. Most special operations aircraft are modified after production to accommodate special operations missions.<ref name="rollout" /> The MC-130J was initially called the Combat Shadow II to honor the service of the aging MC-130P platform that it was replacing but was officially named the Commando II in March 2012.<ref name=CombatShadowII>{{cite web|title=Factsheet MC-130J Commando II|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104510/mc-130j-commando-ii/|publisher=Air Force.mil|access-date=6 April 2016|date=15 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090221/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104510/mc-130j-commando-ii.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

The [[Air Force Special Operations Training Center]] conducted the initial MC-130J training program in conjunction with the [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]]'s [[193rd Special Operations Wing]], using its four [[EC-130J Commando Solo]]<ref>{{cite web|title=EC-130J Commando Solo Fact Sheet|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104535/ec-130j-commando-solo/|publisher=Air Force.mil|access-date=6 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402043528/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104535/ec-130j-commando-solo.aspx|archive-date=2 April 2016}}</ref> aircraft to develop the training syllabus for MC-130J aircrew members.<ref name=FirstTrainingProgram>{{cite web|last=Arroyo|first=Rachel|title=First MC-130J Training Program Takes Flight|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/114074/first-mc-130j-training-program-takes-flight/|publisher=Air Force.mil|access-date=6 April 2016|date=2 March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422105159/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/114074/first-mc-130j-training-program-takes-flight.aspx|archive-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The MC-130J operates with a 5-member crew, eliminating the CSO navigator and the enlisted flight engineer positions that had been in the Combat Shadow's crew, with the remaining CSO handling electronic warfare as well as the navigation and aerial refueling duties formerly conducted by the navigator and flight engineer.<ref>[http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123244674 “First MC-130J training program takes flight”] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719095534/http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123244674 |date=19 July 2011 }} by Rachel Arroyo, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs, 1 March 2011</ref> The [[415th Special Operations Squadron]], a unit of the [[58th Operations Group]] at [[Kirtland AFB]], New Mexico, was reactivated on 22 September 2011 as the main training unit for both MC-130J and [[HC-130]]J Combat King II crews.

The [[522nd Special Operations Squadron]] was the first unit to operate the MC-130J Commando II,<ref>[https://www.cannon.af.mil/News/story/id/123250842/ "522 SOS Fireballs return to Cannon"]  By Airman 1st Class Jette Carr, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, 8 April 2011</ref> and achieved Initial Operational Capability in 2012. The first MC-130J, AF Ser. No. 09-6207, undertook its initial test flight on 22 April 2011.<ref>[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2011/110422ae_new-c130-shadow.html "A New C-130 Shadow in the Sky"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425150007/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2011/110422ae_new-c130-shadow.html |date=25 April 2011 }} ''Lockheed Martin'' 22 April 2011</ref> The [[522nd Special Operations Squadron]] received its first MC-130J in late September 2011.<ref>[https://www.cannon.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/207360/afsocs-first-mc-130j-combat-shadow-ii-arrives-at-cannon/ "AFSOC's First MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB"]  retrieved 6 April 2016</ref>

A total of 37 MC-130J aircraft are programmed to replace all other MC-130 variants by the end of the fiscal year 2017. MC-130Js completely replaced Combat Talons at [[RAF Mildenhall]] in 2014 and began replacing those at [[Kadena AB]] in 2015. 20 were in service in FY 2015 with seven additional airframes in production.<ref name="afm2015almanac">{{cite journal|last=Church|first=Aaron |date=May 2016 |title=2016 USAF Almanac: Gallery of USAF Weapons|journal=Air Force Magazine |volume=99 |issue=5| page=76}}</ref> On 26 October 2019, MC-130J Commando II special mission aircraft accompanied [[Joint Special Operations Command]] [[160th SOAR]] MH-60 and MH-47s, which carried 1st SFOD-D and 75th Ranger RRC operators, into Idlib province during the [[Barisha raid]].