Aircrew from the 919th Special Operations Wing admire their aircraft, the MC-130E Combat Talon I, in flight one last time April 15, 2013, during its final flight before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th SOW and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
MC-130E Combat Talon Is roll down the taxiway at Duke Field, Fla., April 15, 2013, for their final sorties before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th Special Operations Wing and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Newly retired Col. (Dr.) Ed Seeliger, the former 919th Medical Squadron commander, checks out the view from an MC-130E Combat Talon I during its final sortie before its retired as well. Seeliger spent 30 years in the Air Force Reserve, all at Duke Field, Fla. C-130s have been a part of Duke Field for more than 40 years. The last five Talons in the Air Force are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
MC-130E Combat Talon Is roll down the taxiway at Duke Field, Fla., April 15, 2013, for their final sorties before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th Special Operations Wing and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Members of the 919th Special Operations Wing watch the MC-130E Combat Talon I in flight April 15, 2013, during the aircraft’s final sortie before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th SOW and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
MC-130E Combat Talon Is taxi back in to Duke Field, Fla., April 15, 2013, after their final sorties before they are officially retired. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th Special Operations Wing and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
A two-ship of MC-130E Combat Talon Is fly over the Eglin Air Force Base range April 15 on their final sortie before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th Special Operations Wing and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. Tom Mason, the 919th Special Operations Wing command chief, enjoys his final ride back to base as an MC-130E Combat Talon I loadmaster after completing his and the aircraft’s last sortie. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th SOW and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
A loadmaster with the 919th Special Operations Wing admires his aircraft, the MC-130E Combat Talon I, in flight one last time April 15, 2013, during its final flight before retirement. The last five Talons in the Air Force belong to the 919th SOW and are scheduled to be retired at a ceremony April 25. They will make one final flight to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., by the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
by Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
4/18/2013 - DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Air Force's last four MC-130E Combat Talon I's spread their wings for a final mission from their home at Duke Field on April 15.
The Talons will be officially retired in a ceremony at Duke Field on April 25 and the aircraft will then be flown to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.,. April 25th commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Desert One mission to free the Iranian Hostages - several of the MC-130E's at Duke Field took part in that mission.
"This is an emotional and historic day for the Airmen of the 919th Special Operations Wing," said Col. Andy Comtois, 919th SOW commander. "Since our inception, the 919th SOW has primarily been a C-130 wing and, for almost 20 years, a Combat Talon wing. We will miss these great warbirds."
The four Talons took off as two 2-ships carrying more than 40 of the Wing's Airmen who had a long association with the Talon I's and wanted to be a part of the historic final flight.
"I was glad we were allowed to be a part of it," said Tech. Sgt. Lora Huett, of the 919th Force Support Squadron. "The best part was when they opened up the ramp and took people back to sit on it. It was a beautiful view."
Chief Master Sgt. Tom Mason, the wing's new command chief, flew his last mission as a loadmaster on Aircraft 64-551. The chief transitioned to the loadmaster career field when the Talons arrived at Duke in 1995.
"I've had many great missions over the years both at home and in war," said Mason. "I don't know that I could have planned a more honorable way to end my career as an enlisted aviator than with the last flight of the mighty Combat Talons."
The final flight and the upcoming retirement of the Talons are large steps in the continuing transition to the new Aviation Foreign Internal Defense mission for Air Force Special Operations Command. More than five of the wing's new aircraft, the C-145A, already populate the Duke flightline.
"As our future mission emerges, we must say goodbye to the past," said Comtois. "The sun has set on the Talon mission. The 919th looks forward to a new aircraft and a new mission. Our Citizen Air Commandos are more than ready and capable to take on this new challenge."
The MC-130E made its first Air Force flight in 1966 and has taken part in every major U.S. conflict since. The Talon's primary mission was to provide infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory.
Secondary missions include psychological operations and helicopter and vertical lift air refueling.
Comments
4/22/2013 8:02:17 PM ET Did any training occur on this flight I hate to think of the money wasted on fuel for a sight seeing tour. I guess EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS is just a catch phrase.
ConcernedTSgt, Overseas
4/22/2013 7:29:24 PM ET Philippine Airforce would love to have them in their hangars these birds will soar again in the skies if offeredsold to Phil Govt.
Dave Tan, Philippines
4/22/2013 8:13:33 AM ET Gonna miss my Talons. This was my first weapon system to which I was assigned.
Airman, Robins
4/18/2013 9:32:35 PM ET Can we have them instead Mr. Barack
