Air Force Special Operations Command on Aug. 11 received another new MC-130J Commando II. The aircraft arrived at Hurlburt Field, Fla., from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga, according to Lockheed. The aircraft are used for low-level aerial refueling, and infiltration, resupply, and exfiltration of special operations forces. The company in January received a multi-year, $5.3 billion contract for 79 aircraft, including variants for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
