HC-130J Combat King II

Service And Conflict Use

1. Jul 29, 2010

   First flight

   The Air Force fact sheet says the HC-130J first flew on 29 July 2010 as the rescue community's new C-130J-derived fixed-wing recovery aircraft.

   Sources: HC-130J Combat King II (U.S. Air Force)

2. Jan 1, 2013

   Initial operational capability

   The HC-130J reached initial operational capability in 2013 and entered service as the replacement for the HC-130P/N fleet.

   Sources: HC-130J Combat King II (U.S. Air Force)

3. Nov 19, 2013

   Horn of Africa refueling mission

   Open-source imagery documents an HC-130J refueling a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

   Sources: Wikimedia Commons HC-130J refuels CH-53E over Horn of Africa

4. Jul 2, 2023

   Djibouti landing-zone operations

   A U.S. Air Force HC-130J assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron was photographed landing on an unprepared landing zone at Grand Bara, Djibouti.

   Sources: Wikimedia Commons HC-130J lands at Grand Bara, Djibouti

HC-130J Combat King II Images

Related Weapon Systems

Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Coast GuardLong-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraftThe HC-130J Coast Guard is the U.S. Coast Guard's long-range search and rescue and maritime surveillance variant of the C-130J, built by Lockheed Martin. Its mission system adds automatic identification and direction-finding, long-range multi-mode radar, an EO/IR sensor turret, and an open-architecture mission processor for real-time information sharing.

Aircraft & UAVsKC-130J HerculesMarine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kitThe KC-130J Hercules is the U.S. Marine Corps' multi-mission C-130J tanker-transport variant built by Lockheed Martin. In Harvest HAWK configuration, Marine sources document the aircraft firing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and AGM-176 Griffin missiles during close-air-support training and providing an overwatch role alongside refueling and cargo transport.

Aircraft & UAVsC-130 HerculesTactical airlift transport aircraftThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a U.S. tactical airlift family built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for rough-strip operations, oversized cargo, and airdrop missions. The Air Force says the aircraft can carry utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles, airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds, and remains in production in C-130J form.

Aircraft & UAVsEC-130J Commando SoloAirborne information operations and psychological operations aircraftThe EC-130J Commando Solo is a Lockheed Martin C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force special-mission aircraft that broadcasts information operations and psychological operations messages across AM, FM, HF, TV, and military communications bands. The 193rd Special Operations Wing operates the aircraft, which adds enhanced navigation, self-protection, air refueling, digital message playback, and live-broadcast capability to the Hercules airframe.

Aircraft & UAVsA-29 Super TucanoTurboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraftThe A-29 Super Tucano is a Brazilian-designed turboprop light attack aircraft used by the Nigerian Air Force for counter-insurgency missions, combining armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision air-to-ground strike capability against Boko Haram and ISWAP targets.

Aircraft & UAVsAC-130 gunshipHeavily armed fixed-wing gunshipThe AC-130 gunship is a side-firing U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command attack aircraft family derived from the C-130 Hercules. Modern AC-130U, AC-130W, and AC-130J variants combine sensors, fire-control systems, cannon armament, and precision-guided munitions for close air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, and overwatch, roles documented in Afghanistan during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Resolute Support, and the Kabul evacuation.

Sources