Members of the 17th Special Operations Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan, bid farewell to the first of the unit’s legacy MC-130P aircraft as the squadron begins its transition to the new MC-130J model. This MC-130P, aircraft number 69-5825, flew to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., on July 17 to enter retirement in the Air Force’s aircraft boneyard, according to Kadena’s Aug. 1 release. The airframe had served for 44 years, amassing nearly 19,000 flying hours, states the release. “After having executed a wide variety of missions in the aircraft over the last 13 years, I have mixed emotions seeing her headed to retirement,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Kobs of the 17th SOS. He said the eventual arrival of Kadena’s MC-130Js would “usher in a new era” of special operations forces airmen and capabilities. Lockheed Martin delivered the Air Force’s first MC-130J in September 2011 to Cannon AFB, N.M. (Kadena report by TSgt. Kristine Dreyer) (See also Newest HC-130J, MC-130J Deliveries.)
US Has Struck Over 1,000 Houthi Targets in Renewed Campaign
April 30, 2025
U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, U.S. officials said, as the Trump administration’s military campaign against the militants reached the 45-day mark. Dubbed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign has drawn on U.S. Navy and Air Force warplanes and drones. The campaign shows…