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.)
Saltzman Wants ‘Fundamental Shift’ in Space Force Budget
March 26, 2025
The Space Force needs a “step function shift” in its budget to fulfill its growing mission profile, Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman said March 26—an increase that may even approach 20 percent, he suggested.