The 193rd Special Operations Wing in Lower Swatara Township today celebrated the start of a new mission thanks to the arrival of a sophisticated aircraft.
The newly-built MC-130J Commando II from manufacturer Lockheed Martin is now based at the Air National Guard facility near Harrisburg International Airport.
The Special Operations Wing is the only Air National Guard unit to receive the aircraft, which is revered as a “workhorse” that “performs many different missions well.”
The Commando II flies clandestine – or low visibility – single or multi-ship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or air land and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft.
The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce the probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats.
Military officials call the aircraft’s arrival here monumental.
“The Commando II mission will ensure the 193rd SOW remains not only relevant, but also at the forefront of the battlespace for years to come,” said Col. Edward Fink, 193rd SOW commander.
Col. Jaime Ramirez, 193rd Special Operations Maintenance Group commander, noted the Commando II changes the Special Operation Wing’s mission to an Air Force Special Operations Command.
The wing had operated the EC-130J Commando Solo for decades as part of the only airborne Military Information Support Operations broadcasting platform in the U.S. military.
“The wing’s mission conversion is unprecedented, in that it was able to maintain full operating capabilities of the outgoing aircraft while simultaneously preparing for the arriving mission,” Ramirez said.
The new aircraft made a ceremonial flyover of the airfield at HIA and then, after landing, parked about 30 feet from one of the SOW’s hangers. After shut down, dignitaries disembarked from the Commando II to make remarks during the arrival ceremony.
Guest speakers included, in order, Col. Edward Fink, Commander of the 193rd SOW; Bill Bassett, Lockheed Martin Director of Special Missions Programs; Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, Deputy Adjutant General - Air, Pennsylvania National Guard; Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, Director, Air National Guard.
“Today is a great day for Pennsylvania, our Air Force and the 193rd Special Operations Wing,” Brig. Gen. Regan said. “But an aircraft is just an aircraft until our highly trained Airmen climb in. That’s what turns it into a weapons system. This is the right time and the right place for this mission.”
Led by the efforts of Lt. Col. Benton Jackson, unit conversion officer, the wing has been preparing for its mission conversion since 2021. Jackson believes the hard work of 193rd SOW Airmen and the support of the community led to the completion of this first step.
“Seeing the Commando II on our flight line is a tangible symbol of the progress we’ve made as a wing in bringing this versatile mission to central Pennsylvania,” Jackson said. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of this team, and I have the utmost confidence we have the right culture and people to continue with a successful mission conversion.”
The wing commemorated the ending of the EC-130J Commando Solo mission at the Community Days Air Show last fall at the Lancaster Airport. Over the course of the next year, the EC-130Js will be converted to C-130Js and gradually redistributed to other major commands and joint partners.
MC-130J Commando II Fact Sheet:
- Background The MC-130J is replacing the aging SOF fleet of 57 MC-130E, H and P aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered in September 2011 to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, with final delivery expected in fiscal year 2025.
- Primary Function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland, air refueling of SOF helicopter/tilt rotor aircraft.
- Builder: Lockheed Martin
- Power Plant: Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 Turboprops
- Thrust: 4,591 shaft horsepower
- Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (39.7 meters)
- Length: 97 feet 9 inches (29.3 meters)
- Height: 38 feet 10 inches (11.9 meters)
- Speed: 362 knots at 22,000 feet
- Ceiling: 28,000 feet with 42,000 lb payload
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 164,000 lbs
- Range: 3,000 miles
- Crew: Two pilots, one Combat Systems Officer (officers), and two Loadmasters (enlisted)
- Date Deployed: 2011
- Unit Cost: $114.2M (FY22)
- Inventory: Active duty, 57 by fiscal 2025
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