C-145A Combat Coyote Mission The C-145A’s primary role is to enable CAA special air mobility Airmen to conduct U.S. Special Operations Command’s Aviation Foreign Internal Defense and Aviation Security Cooperation missions. AFSOC’s CAAs are tasked to assess, train, advise and assist foreign aviation forces in airpower employment, sustainment and force integration. Features The C-145A is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft with twin vertical fins and a non-retractable tricycle landing gear capable of short takeoff and landings to unprepared runways. The C-145A is reconfigurable to support both air, land and airdrop of cargo (max 2,400 pounds) and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The C-145A can carry a maximum of 16 passengers or 10 combat rigged paratroopers. Maximum cargo weight is 5,000 pounds, or up to four litter patients. Missions can be conducted to prepared and semi-prepared airfields. A C-145A aircraft drops a sand bag during a night-time training exercise outside of Mossy Head, Florida, April 1, 2021. The C-145A’s primary role is to ensure proficiency of Combat Aviation Advisors to conduct Aviation Foreign Internal Defense missions to strengthen partner nation capacity around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Gentile) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res An aircrew prepares for a mission in a C-145A Skytruck at Duke Field, Fla. The 919th Special Operations Wing is the only wing in the Air Force that flies and maintains the Skytruck. They are primarily used for new aircrew qualifications and flight proficiency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sam King) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A C-145A Skytruck assigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing is parked at Orlando Executive Airport in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 26, 2020. The C-145A is reconfigurable to support both airland and airdrop of cargo and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Conroy) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Background The C-145A aircraft was originally procured in 2009 to conduct non-standard aviation special air mobility missions. In 2010, AFSOC selected the C-145A to be operated primarily by CAAs. General Characteristics Primary Function: Light Special Air Mobility Builder: PZL Mielec Power Plant: Two Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65B Turboprops Thrust: Takeoff power 1,100 shaft horsepower Wingspan: 72 feet 4 inches Length: 43 feet Height: 16 feet 1 inch Max Cruise Speed: 223 knots Max Range: 1,010 nautical miles Service Ceiling: 25,000 feet (with supplemental oxygen equipment) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 16,534 lbs. (7,500 kgs) Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 loadmaster) Unit Cost: Approx. $14M per aircraft Inventory: Active duty, 5; Reserve/ANG, 0 (Current as of April 2021)