By Capt. Jantzen Floate, AFSOC.

On April 2, the final MC-130H Combat Talon ll made its last flight, arriving at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona to retire at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). This aircraft was the last of the final six MC-130Hs transferred for storage at the 309th AMARG, known as the boneyard.

The aircraft, tail number 89-0280 belonging to the 1st Special Operations Wing, was flown by a Total Force crew and included Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, to pay homage to the heroic legacy and service the Talon II has provided for AFSOC and the joint force over the past 30 years.

“Today marks the end of a legacy for one of the finest airplanes ever flown in AFSOC. The MC-130H Combat Talon II, or as the crews that’ve flown it call it: “The Chariot of Armageddon,” held a critical mission of special operations forces mobility in infiltrating and exfiltrating into many of the hardest locations in the world while upholding the Talon Standard of absolute precision. I’m very proud of the entire Talon community; the crews, maintainers, and operations support personnel.” 

Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC Commander

Initially arriving at Hurlburt Field in June 1992, the MC-130H Combat Talon II is a derivative of the C-130H Hercules modified for special operations and played a vital role in AFSOC operations across the globe.

The mission of the Combat Talon ll was to provide infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile and denied territories, while also providing a secondary air refueling capability for helicopters and vertical lift platforms. Additionally, it also provided SOF commanders with an all-weather, low-level penetration option utilizing its terrain following capabilities.

The standard aircrew complement for the MC-130H was seven consisting of two pilots, a navigator, two loadmasters, a flight engineer, and an electronic warfare officer.

“The Talon II was a navigator’s dream due to the planning required and systems expertise necessary to fly it. The ability to fly in mountainous terrain in [instrument meteorological conditions] required extremely detailed mission planning, so every flight required the whole crew to understand the limitations of the aircraft and the crew, and to push right up to the edge in order to be successful. The ability to project power and penetrate denied or sensitive areas to further our Nation’s interest was the hallmark of the Talon II.”

Col. Richard Greszler, Jr., AFSOC Operations Center commander and prior MC-130H navigator

Over the last 30 years, the Combat Talon ll was critical to many missions from evacuations of civilians from the Republic of the Congo in 1997, to enduring counterterror and counter-violent extremist organizations (C-VEO) operations.

“The legacy of the Talon II fills me with pride,” Greszler said. “Pride in a community which looked to be tasked to defend our Nation no matter the danger. The aircraft was an amazing machine, but it was the men and women who crewed and maintained the Chariot of Armageddon that made it special. They constantly strove to improve and never let their teammates down.”

With the completion of the final trip to AMARG, the MC-130H fleet has approximately 264,442 total flight hours and 106,850 sorties since its start of operations in late 1992.

Replacing the MC-130H, along with the retired E and P models, is the MC-130J Commando II, which has been in operation since 2011.

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 airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats.

The last MC-130H in the 1st SOW’s inventory will be retired later this summer in Hurlburt Field’s airpark, cementing the retirement of the Talon II fleet in AFSOC.

Notable MC-130H Missions

Below are a few of the notable MC-130H tail numbers and missions that highlight the various missions the Combat Talon II will be remembered for:

89-0280: Coined “The Highlander”, 89-0280 is one of the few Combat Talon II aircraft to have been stationed at every permanent duty location for Talon II aircraft, it was later the first aircraft to respond and land at Sendai International Airport during Operation Tomadachi following the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima, Japan on March 16, 2011. The mission to Sendai opened the airfield for mass follow-on relief missions, and the first C-17 was able to land four hours later.

85-0011: Coined “The Ace of Spades”, aircraft 85-0011 is known for transporting Saddam Hussein after his capture near the town of Tikrit in December 2003.  Additionally, this aircraft participated in earthquake relief efforts during a 1997 JCET down in Venezuela.  During the immediate aftermath, the crew of 0011 airlifted 175,000 lbs of supplies and received the Order of Jose Antonio Anzoategui, Venezuela’s highest medal for gallantry.

86-1699: Coined “Merlin’s Magic”, it participated in Operation Firm Response to conduct a 14.4 flight hour NEO of 56 non-combatants from the Republic of the Congo in 1997.

89-0283: This aircraft was the fourth of four Talons that opened OEF as a Rhino Raider in 2001. Rhino LZ was the first combat airfield seizure in Afghanistan in 2001. Additionally, 0283 conducted the exfil of Hamid Karzai on November 4, 2001. This aircraft also conducted a BLU-82 drop on Masir-e-Sharif and participated in the 2008 Colombia hostage rescue.

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This story by Capt. Jantzen Floate was first published by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) on April 10, 2023.

Photo: On April 2, 2023, a MC-130J Combat Talon II departed Hurlburt Field, Florida and flew to retirement to the boneyard located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. (Photo courtesy AFSOC).

Story by Thoman Johnson, 1st SFG(A).

In February 2023, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) successfully tested a new unmanned aerial delivery platform, the GD-2000 glider (glider disposable 2000 lbs.). This glider is an alternative to the current means of supply delivery into diverse environments. Implementation of the glider will result in enhanced capabilities of the Special Forces detachments deployed through varied, and often restrictive, terrain.

Timely and accurate resupply is imperative to the success of combat operations.

This success does not only lie with the operators on the ground but also with utilizing emerging technology. The GD-2000 is a glider platform that Special Operation Forces innovators hope will revolutionize aerial delivery to Green Berets in the field.

“It’s an autonomous aircraft that carries 1,500 pounds of payload,” said Chip Yates, CEO of Yates Electrospace, and the creator of the glider. “It flies for 15 minutes, flares and lands where you want it,” he continued.

Traditional supply delivery systems can be more cumbersome and more detectable by the enemy when compared with the glider. It was birthed out of a request from the U.S. Marine Corps as an alternative to the Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS). JPADS tend to be both larger in size and have limited ability to maneuver through the air, making them less accurate, especially over long distances or in high-wind conditions.

“What this glider does is give us a much greater [travel distance] and a much greater glide ratio into a target,” said a Special Forces detachment commander, whose team tested the glider.

The GD-2000 is a small aircraft designed to land at a precise location while being released from a greater distance than traditional supply drops. The glider can travel up to 40 miles once released and is completely disposable once on the ground, allowing it to be left in denied or contested territory without compromising the security of the Soldiers receiving the supplies or the technologies or techniques employed by the U.S. military.

“If we are able to get [the glider] up to 40,000 feet we’re looking at [travel distances] in excess of 25 to 30 miles. That’s a pretty unique capability and not matched by anything we currently have,” the commander said.

This would also allow for aerial delivery to remote islands that require a greater level of precision to reliably reach their destination. With some modifications, the designer of the glider claims it can also land and be recovered in a maritime environment, further enhancing resupply capabilities to the sort of small islands often found in the Indo-Pacific.

Photo: The GD-2000 glider is released from a C-27J airplane at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz. On February 13, 2023. 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) released the glider from the air multiple times over several days to test its aerial delivery capabilities. Photo by 1st SFG(A).

During the testing, the GD-2000 carried a 1,000-pound payload and was airdropped from a C-27J plane. During several drops, the glider landed within 30 meters of its intended target at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. The hull of the aircraft was still intact and protected the cargo inside.

“[The glider] gives us the ability to drop this from a plane outside of controlled airspace into international air space and fly resupply in from an unmanned autonomous craft. It’s a huge enhancement to the mission” the commander said.

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) is committed to innovating beyond the status quo. Today’s tests and experiments are done to ensure that tomorrow’s problems do not catch us off-guard. Enhancing our capabilities fosters an environment of competency within the unit and allows for our Soldiers to continue the mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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This story by Sgt. Thoman Johnson of the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) was originally published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on March 30, 2023. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Top Photo: Forces Group (Airborne) released the glider from the air multiple times over several days to test its aerial delivery capabilities. (Photo 1st SFG(A))

Related Articles:

Silent Arrow for Resupply and Relief, Silent Arrow.
https://silent-arrow.com/tactical

“Green Berets are testing a prototype glider drone for speedy resupply”, Task & Purpose, March 31, 2023.

By Master Sgt. Alexander Farver.

The first MC-130J Commando II aircraft arrived at Middletown, Pa., Feb 2, 2023, achieving a major milestone in the 193^rd Special Operations Wing’s mission conversion. The 193 SOW is the first, and currently the only, Air National Guard unit to receive the Commando II mission, a flagship mission of Air Force Special Operations Command.

“This is a monumental day for the 193^rd, ANG, and AFSOC. 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, 193^rd SOW commander.

Led by the efforts of unit conversion officer, Lt. Col. Benton Jackson, the wing has been preparing for its mission conversion since 2021. Jackson believes the hard work of 193^rd SOW Airmen and the support of the community ultimately led to completion of this successful first step.

“Seeing the Commando II on our flightline 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.”

For decades, the wing operated the EC-130J Commando Solo as part of the only airborne Military Information Support Operations broadcasting platform in the U.S. military. Col. Jaime Ramirez, 193rd Special Operations Maintenance Group commander, sees the move to the Commando II as a major shift in the unit, AFSOC and ANG.

“The Commando II is the special operations workhorse, in that it performs many different types of missions, and performs them well,” Ramirez said. “There is no doubt in my mind the aircraft that landed here today will be integral in any future conflict.”

Ramirez added that 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.

“We were ready to maintain the Commando II well before it arrived, all while never losing a step in maintaining and launching EC-130s.” Ramirez said. “That only happens if you have the best people. I’d put our maintainers up against anyone.”

While the 193^rd SOMXG is prepared to maintain the aircraft, the 193^rd Special Operations Group is postured to fly them immediately. Col. Gordon Frankenfield, 193^rd SOG commander suggests that many of his airmen have a deep familiarity with the aircraft and mission set.

“We’ve executed similar mission sets for years, which likely contributed to AFSOC trusting us with this critically valuable aircraft,” Frankenfield said. “Our goal from day one has been to operate the Commando II with the same potency as an active duty unit, and our aircrews are trained and ready to make that a reality.”

Frankenfield sees the Commando II’s arrival to Pennsylvania as an important strategic move both domestically and abroad.

“The 193^rd now offers something the U.S. military didn’t have before,” Frankenfield said. Special Operations Forces based in the northeast now have a crucial air asset right in their backyard to build their combat readiness. Combatant commanders have a much more robust and versatile capability to project air power in different geographic regions.”

The aircraft’s arrival under the cloak of night was perhaps appropriate given the nature of its mission. 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 airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories.

“The Commando II is the embodiment of Agile Combat Employment, and will present complex dilemmas to our adversaries. It’s a shadow in the dark, and sends a clear message that the U.S. military owns the night,” Fink said. “The 193^rd is ready today to add to the impressive lineage of the Commando II.”

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This article by Master Sgt. Alexander Farver was first published by the 193rd SOW on February 7, 2023. The photo is of an MC-130J Commando II arriving at the 193rd Special Operations Wing on February 2, 2023. Photo by Master Sgt. Alexander Farver.

Story by Pat Carty.

A formation of Royal Air Force Puma helicopters has made a nostalgic national flypast, to mark 50 years of service for the type.

The ten Pumas; acknowledged and respected as the workhorse of many tactical and Special Force operations, departed RAF Benson near Oxford on 7 July at 10.00 local. The route, flown as a training sortie but highlighting the fact that the type has been in constant use since its introduction into the RAF in 1971, overflew notable locations across England that had a historical significance to the Puma, by either hosting the type or by supporting the Puma Force over the past 50 years.

After departure, the formation routed over RAF High Wycombe, home to HQ Air Command, the European Air Group and the Joint Force Air Component Commander. They then flew over Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, where the formation split into two sections. “Ambush Flight”, which landed at RAF Scampton – home of the Red Arrows, and “Monster Flight”, which landed at the RAF College, Cranwell.

Photo: Ambush and Monster Flight approaching RAF Scrampton. (photo by Pat Carty).

Following lunch and a refuel, the two flights rejoined and then continued North-West towards Stafford. When overhead Herefordshire, they overflew Credenhill; home of the Special Air Service, and then along the Welsh borders back into Wiltshire. After overflying the Salisbury Plain Training Area, they landed at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop.

On departure from Middle Wallop, they overflew the Joint Helicopter Command Headquarters at Andover, and then RAF Odiham; the original home for the Puma, The formation then routed back to their home base at RAF Benson, where on arrival they were greeted by a welcoming party, which included the crews from two very special 658 Squadron Army air Corps Dauphine helicopters (call sign Hammer). These Dauphines, in a very commercial looking blue and white livery, provide covert air transportation for the SAS and are based alongside them at Credenhill, Herefordshire.

The Puma formation was led by XW224; a Puma HC Mk2, which has been given a unique new paint scheme to commemorate 50 years of service, with the colours replicating those used on the Puma HC Mk 1 and all the Squadron badges of squadrons who have flown the Puma HC Mk 1 and Mk 2, emblazoned on the engine housing.

Since 1971, the Puma has successfully contributed to UK humanitarian missions around the globe. It has also supported combat missions in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Since post-2014, three Puma helicopters have been used extensively during “Operation Toral”; the name given to the UK element of “Resolute Support Mission”, transporting personnel based with Joint Helicopter Command in Kabul International Airport. Whilst there, the Pumas were able to provide vital airborne transport to UK and NATO forces, thereby mitigating the ground threat. Tasks also included transporting personnel and equipment around the different urban, mountainous and desert terrains in the Kabul area, as well as supporting the deployment of the NATO SF and Security Quick Reaction Forces. During that deployment, the Pumas flew 12,800 hours; the equivalent of over 533 days in the air, transported 126,000 troops, security personnel and embassy staff, and moved some 660,000kgs of freight.

The RAF Puma has also recently supported UK civilian disasters, by providing a helicopter lift capability for flood relief efforts. They have also assisted the COVID-19 response, by deploying at short notice in the early stages of the pandemic, to Kinloss Barracks in Scotland. Whilst there, they provided vital transport for medical personnel and equipment in both Scotland and Northern England, as well as being on standby 24/7 to support any other task required in the UK.

My own experience of the Puma, in addition to both day and night NVG training sorties, has included being transported as media during exercises, and being in the back, whilst certain troops were transported to Ireland during the “troubles”. Who they were, or why they were being transported, are best left unanswered, as I was told during the pre-takeoff briefs, not to discuss the subject with them!

For the more technical minded, the Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport utility helicopter, originally built by Sud Aviation of France, and continued to be made by Aérospatiale. However, the RAF Puma HC Mk.1 was a significant joint manufacturing agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland Helicopters in the UK. It had a crew of three and could carry up to 16 passengers, at up to 159 mph (138 knots) for up to 360 miles (580 km). It has a ceiling of up to 15,750 feet (4,800m). For self-protection, in addition to a self-defence suit, it can carry a 0.30 inches (7.62 mm) coaxial machine gun or side-firing 0.787 inches (20 mm) cannon.

A total of 48 HC Mk.1 Pumas were delivered to the RAF, of which 24 were upgraded to the HC Mk.2 variant. These had the more powerful Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, a glass cockpit, new avionics, and secure communications, together with improved self-protection equipment.

The Puma has served with 33 Squadron and 240 Operation Conversion Unit at RAF Odiham, 230 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in Germany, No. 1563 Flight at RAF Belize, and RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland.

In 2009, both 33 and 230 Squadron relocated to RAF Benson from RAF Odiham, and in all that time, has a safety record that many would envy.

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Top photo: Credit to Ian Marshall.

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

A video shows an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship participating in Exercise Balikatan 21 in the Philippines. The crew from the 73rd Special Operations Squadron out of Hurlburt Field, Florida conduct an aerial refueling and then proceed to fire their onboard 105mm cannon. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from the Philippine 710th Special Operations Wing and from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, took part in the live fire training event. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the U.S. and the Philippines and comes from a Tagalog phrase meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder”.

AC-130J Ghostrider: Balikatan 21
April 24, 2021, 5 minutes, B-Roll
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/792569/ac-130j-ghostrider-balikatan-21

On Thursday, August 27, 2020 a helicopter crash claimed the lives of two members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Three others were injured in the crash. The aircraft belonged to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).

Sgt. Tyler Shelton and Staff Sgt. Vincent Marketta died in the crash. The Black Hawk helicopter mishap took place on San Clemente Island late Thursday evening. The aircraft is reported to have been engaged in routine night training.

San Clemente Island is owned and operated by the United States Navy. It is located 70 miles west of San Diego. It has been used by the Navy as a tactical training range, testing area, and exercise area. There is an airfield, MOUT training facility, and other facilities located on San Clemente Island.

Sergeant Tyler Shelton on left, Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta on right.

Sgt. Tyler Shelton

Shelton, age 22, joined the Army in 2016 as a 15T UH-60 “Black Hawk” Repairer and was assigned to the 160th SOAR. In 2018 Shelton became a MH-60M Crew Chief. He has deployed to Afghanistan with the 160th SOAR in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

He was a graduate of several Army courses including Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level I, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE), MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, and the Basic Leaders Course.

His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviator’s Badge.

Shelton was from San Bernardino, California.

Staff Sgt. Vincent Marketta

Marketta, age 33, enlisted in the Army in 2011 as a 15T UH-60 “Black Hawk” Repairer and was assigned to the 160th SOAR. He later became a MH-60M Crew Chief with the 160th SOAR. He has had deployments to Iraq in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and deployed once to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

He was a graduate of several Army courses to include the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level I, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE), MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, the Basic and Advanced Leaders Course, and the MH-60 Flight Instructors Course.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with V device, Air Medal with C device, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with C device (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Aviator’s Badge.

Marketta was from Brick, New Jersey.

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Both men will receive the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously. Colonel Andrew Graham, the commander of the 160th SOAR, provided a statement of the fatalities:

“The loss of Staff Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this Regiment that will never completely heal. Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier. Our priority now is to ensure the Families of our fallen warriors receive our complete support as we work through this tragedy together. We ask that you keep Staff Sgt. Marketta, Sgt. Shelton, their Families and fellow Night Stalkers in your thoughts and prayers.”

MH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters

The Black Hawk helicopters (UH-60s) were fielded to the Army in the late 1970s and have been continuously upgraded over the past few decades. The U.S. Army’s special operations aviation unit has a modified version – labeled the MH-60. It has specialized equipment to provide a capability of low-level night flying for long distances.

The MH-60 Black Hawk is a twin turbine engine, single rotor, semi-monocoque fuselage helicopter. It is used for the tactical transport of troops and supplies. It’s special equipment allows for the tactical infiltration and exfiltration of SOF personnel into denied areas. It can carry M-60, M-240, or GAU-2B machine guns, which are mounted to the side windows or cabin doors.

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It has subordinate units in Washington and Georgia. Their mission is to provide rotary wing support to U.S. special operations forces. The unit has the nickname “Night Stalkers” – reflecting the fact that most of the missions they fly take place at night. The SOAR has some unique helicopters for its SOF missions to include the MH-6, AH-6, MH-60, and MH-47 helicopters.

There are five battalions in the 160th SOAR. They are located at Fort Campbell, Hunter Army Airfield, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Each SOAR battalion is composed of light, medium, and heavy helicopters – all modified and designed to meet the unit’s unique mission requirements.

More information about the aircraft crash will be provided by the military officials after next-of-kin notifications are complete. This story will be updated as more details of the helicopter crash become available.

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San Clemente Island Chart from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
https://www.charts.noaa.gov/PDFs/18762.pdf

MH-60 photo by SFC Alejandro Licea, Special Operations Command South.

Photos of SSG Marketta and SGT Shelton provided by the USASOC Public Affairs Office. Biography information is from “Two Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Aircraft Mishap”, USASOC Public Affairs Office, August 29, 2020.

References: 160th SOAR Fact Sheet

Despite SOF aircrews having recently taken part in an actual SOF insertion onto a ship where SOF troops captured illegal immigrants holding the crew of a ship captive, UK Special Forces aircrew have just completed yet another major week-long SF exercise called Faraday Field.

Air assets started to assemble on a recent Sunday at the remote Altcar range – located on the UK’s west coast and where both regular and reserve troops, plus cadets, fire some two million rounds a year.

First to arrive were Merlin helicopters from the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. These were followed by Chinooks from RAF Odiham and then Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton.

Once established on camp, and following a meal and briefing, the UK Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing aircrews commenced week-long night time insertion sorties, out to both rigs and shipping, located in the nearby Morecambe Bay – the second largest gas field in the UK.

The sorties consisted of the force inserting SOF troops by fast roping from Chinooks, whilst protected by both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. Plus, a Merlin HM.1 providing ISTAR, Radar coverage and Search and Rescue duties.

To compensate for the disruption caused to local residents during Faraday Field, created by noise from the helicopters departing en-mass each night, the range held a one-hour public open session on the exercises last day. Residents were able to view a number of the helicopters and then watch them depart to their home bases.

It was an opportunity that was gratefully received by those who took advantage of the occasion. It also somewhat compensated for the actions of one or two members of the range’s security team, who during the week tried to stop residents and enthusiasts photographing the helicopters whilst they were standing on public footpaths, located outside the range boundary.

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Photos: Provided by author.

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

Video Afghan UH-60 Black Hawks – A short (one minute long) video has been produced by the media folks at Resolute Support Headquarters in Afghanistan promoting the progress of the fielding program of the helicopters that are replacing the Mi-17 helicopter fleet of the Afghan Air Force (AAF). Some of the UH-60s are already in-country and the Afghan crews are getting trained up. Four mission qualified crews will be ready in the summer of 2018. It is anticipated that there will be 32 crews by 2019.

Video by Resolute Support Headquarters, March 31, 2018. Posted on RS HQs YouTube.com channel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaoc7ZgozY

]]> 5644 https://sof.news/video/cv-22-video/ Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:58:31 +0000 http://www.sof.news/?p=5363 CV-22 Video – watch a 1-minute long video of a CV-22 in action. Some great shots of the CV-22 flying and firing its weapons. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FulRbyscjvw]]>

CV-22 Video – watch a 1-minute long video of a CV-22 in action. Some great shots of the CV-22 flying and firing its weapons.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FulRbyscjvw

ATAC Video – This three-minute long ATAC video describes the training that Afghan Tactical Air Coordinators (ATACs) go through to become certified to call in close air support missions for troops in contact or for ground operations. Their training is guided and assisted by advisors from Task Force Southeast. The ATAC video shows the ATAC trainees working with Afghan A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft of the Afghan Air Force (AAF). The video is narrated by the Director of Training and Education at the 203rd Thunder Corps.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBt929LJIo