Airmen gather to mark the retirement of the last five MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft during a ceremony at Duke Field, Fla. The Combat Talon I flew its first combat mission in 1966 and participated in all major U.S. conflicts up until its retirement.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.