Editing Lockheed MC-130 (section)

====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>