Direct proof of use
Official Marine and DVIDS reporting documents AGM-176 Griffin missile use from the KC-130J Harvest HAWK in Afghanistan. DVIDS reported that Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 completed a nine-month Harvest HAWK deployment after arriving in Afghanistan in October 2010 and that, by the end of the tour in Helmand and Nimroz provinces, the Marines had fired 42 Hellfire and 11 Griffin missiles.
The same deployment is supported by earlier Marine reporting from Forward Operating Base Dwyer. In November 2010, DVIDS described the only Harvest HAWK then operating in Afghanistan as carrying four Hellfire and 10 Griffin missiles for close air support, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and improvised explosive device search missions. Marine Corps reporting from Camp Dwyer in April 2011 described the Harvest HAWK-equipped KC-130J as supporting coalition troops in southwestern Afghanistan with close air support and surveillance.
Sources: DVIDS Harvest HAWK First Deployment, DVIDS Harvest HAWK New Role, Marine Corps Harvest HAWK Old Plane New Tricks
Timeline
The public sequence begins with fielding rather than a named Griffin strike. DOT&E's FY2010 KC-130J report describes Harvest HAWK as an urgent Marine Corps effort to add persistent direct fire and ISR to the KC-130J, with Hellfire and Griffin precision missile systems certified for use and one KC-130J prepared for theater deployment.
By November 2010, the Harvest HAWK had started its first Afghanistan deployment and had already completed its first weapons engagement, although the reported November 4 engagement used a Hellfire rather than a Griffin. By July 2011, DVIDS reported the completed deployment totals, including 11 Griffin missiles fired during more than 200 sorties and more than 1,500 flight hours.
Sources: DOT&E FY2010 KC-130J Report, DVIDS Harvest HAWK New Role, DVIDS Harvest HAWK First Deployment
Operational role
The documented Griffin role in Afghanistan was part of the Harvest HAWK armed overwatch package, not a standalone missile force. The KC-130J installation paired sensors, fire-control equipment, Hellfire missiles, and Griffin missiles so Marine crews could remain overhead with ground forces and provide surveillance or close air support when requested.
Code One Magazine's 2012 Harvest HAWK article described the Griffin launcher, avionics, and missile equipment as the final component of the kit and said Griffins had been launched against targets in Afghanistan only about ten percent of the time because of shorter range and the operational handling burden of the early ramp-mounted launcher. That account places the missile within a broader Marine close-air-support mission in Helmand rather than identifying every individual Griffin strike.
Sources: DVIDS Harvest HAWK New Role, Marine Corps Harvest HAWK Old Plane New Tricks, Code One Harvest HAWK Afghanistan
