End of Era for MC-130J with Delivery of Final Aircraft to US Air Force
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The 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Kirtland Air Force Base has received the final MC-130J ever produced, marking the end of a 14-year production run by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft, designated Aircraft 5994, arrived at the base on January 14, 2025, after being manufactured in Marietta, Georgia, in 2024. It was then upgraded at the Rapid Development Integration Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio before being officially classified as an MC-130J.
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The MC-130J is a versatile aircraft designed to perform a range of specialized missions for Special Operations Forces. (Picture source: US DoD)
This delivery is symbolic, marking the end of the production of MC-130J models. It is the last aircraft that the U.S. Air Force will receive, an important milestone for both the military and the manufacturer. The 58th SOW already houses the first MC-130J produced, and delivered to Cannon Air Force Base in 2011, creating a meaningful connection between the first and last aircraft of this series now stationed at the same base.
The acceptance of a new aircraft involves meticulous work from a team of specialists to ensure it is ready for operational use. The 415th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) of the 58th SOW will spend approximately two weeks thoroughly inspecting the MC-130J to prepare it for student training flights. This includes generating all the necessary documentation, including the aircraft’s maintenance history sheet, which will begin its record with the 58th SOW.
Master Sergeant Brent Ogle, production superintendent of the 415th AMU, emphasized the importance of maintenance to ensure the aircraft’s availability: “Each training flight requires at least 40 man-hours of maintenance to ensure the aircraft is safe and effective. These aircraft will also see a minimum of 200 flight hours every year with our students.”
The MC-130J is a versatile aircraft designed to perform a range of specialized missions for Special Operations Forces (SOF). It is primarily used for in-flight refueling of SOF helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft, as well as for infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of SOF by airdrop or airland in remote areas. The aircraft can operate with a maximum takeoff weight of 164,000 pounds, allowing it to carry a significant payload while maintaining strong flight performance.
The MC-130J has a maximum speed of 362 knots (KTAS) when flying at 22,000 feet and can cover an impressive range of 3,000 miles without refueling, making it particularly well-suited for long-range missions in extended operational areas. In terms of altitude, it can reach a ceiling of 28,000 feet while carrying a 42,000-pound payload, which allows it to adapt to a wide range of tactical scenarios, whether in drop zones or high-altitude flights.
A typical MC-130J crew consists of two pilots, one combat systems officer, and two loadmasters (enlisted), allowing for efficient management of various tasks during complex operations. With its versatile capabilities and durability, the MC-130J is a valuable asset for Special Operations missions, providing critical air support in diverse and challenging environments.
The arrival of this final MC-130J brings the total number of MC-130Js assigned to the 58th SOW to eight, significantly enhancing the Air Force’s pilot and aircrew training opportunities. With both the newest and oldest MC-130Js now part of its fleet, the 58th SOW looks forward to utilizing Aircraft 5994 in its upcoming training exercises.
This moment marks the culmination of an important chapter in the history of the MC-130J fleet and underscores the ongoing role of the 58th Special Operations Wing in enhancing the U.S. Air Force’s training capabilities.
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{loadposition sidebarpub}
The 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Kirtland Air Force Base has received the final MC-130J ever produced, marking the end of a 14-year production run by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft, designated Aircraft 5994, arrived at the base on January 14, 2025, after being manufactured in Marietta, Georgia, in 2024. It was then upgraded at the Rapid Development Integration Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio before being officially classified as an MC-130J.
The MC-130J is a versatile aircraft designed to perform a range of specialized missions for Special Operations Forces. (Picture source: US DoD)
This delivery is symbolic, marking the end of the production of MC-130J models. It is the last aircraft that the U.S. Air Force will receive, an important milestone for both the military and the manufacturer. The 58th SOW already houses the first MC-130J produced, and delivered to Cannon Air Force Base in 2011, creating a meaningful connection between the first and last aircraft of this series now stationed at the same base.
The acceptance of a new aircraft involves meticulous work from a team of specialists to ensure it is ready for operational use. The 415th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) of the 58th SOW will spend approximately two weeks thoroughly inspecting the MC-130J to prepare it for student training flights. This includes generating all the necessary documentation, including the aircraft’s maintenance history sheet, which will begin its record with the 58th SOW.
Master Sergeant Brent Ogle, production superintendent of the 415th AMU, emphasized the importance of maintenance to ensure the aircraft’s availability: “Each training flight requires at least 40 man-hours of maintenance to ensure the aircraft is safe and effective. These aircraft will also see a minimum of 200 flight hours every year with our students.”
The MC-130J is a versatile aircraft designed to perform a range of specialized missions for Special Operations Forces (SOF). It is primarily used for in-flight refueling of SOF helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft, as well as for infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of SOF by airdrop or airland in remote areas. The aircraft can operate with a maximum takeoff weight of 164,000 pounds, allowing it to carry a significant payload while maintaining strong flight performance.
The MC-130J has a maximum speed of 362 knots (KTAS) when flying at 22,000 feet and can cover an impressive range of 3,000 miles without refueling, making it particularly well-suited for long-range missions in extended operational areas. In terms of altitude, it can reach a ceiling of 28,000 feet while carrying a 42,000-pound payload, which allows it to adapt to a wide range of tactical scenarios, whether in drop zones or high-altitude flights.
A typical MC-130J crew consists of two pilots, one combat systems officer, and two loadmasters (enlisted), allowing for efficient management of various tasks during complex operations. With its versatile capabilities and durability, the MC-130J is a valuable asset for Special Operations missions, providing critical air support in diverse and challenging environments.
The arrival of this final MC-130J brings the total number of MC-130Js assigned to the 58th SOW to eight, significantly enhancing the Air Force’s pilot and aircrew training opportunities. With both the newest and oldest MC-130Js now part of its fleet, the 58th SOW looks forward to utilizing Aircraft 5994 in its upcoming training exercises.
This moment marks the culmination of an important chapter in the history of the MC-130J fleet and underscores the ongoing role of the 58th Special Operations Wing in enhancing the U.S. Air Force’s training capabilities.
