LAST DAYS OF THE KING

TYPE REPORT // HC-130N/P

Known as the Combat King, the HC-130N and HC-130P variants of the Lockheed Hercules have supported the USAF’s combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission since the mid-1960s. Today, just a handful of these old models remain in service with a single Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit.

HC-130N serial 69-5828 refueling a 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing HH-53 offthe coast of Greenland en route from Eglin AFB to RAF Woodbridge, UK. This example was converted to an MC-130P before being retired to AMARG in August 2017. USAF

DEVELOPED FOR THE Military

Air Transport Service’s (MATS) Air Rescue Service (ARS), the Combat King has taken on many guises over its long service career with the US Air Force. The type first flew under the designation HC-130H in December 1964, with the variant initially planned as a replacement for the ARS’ Douglas HC-54Ds and Boeing HC-97Gs.

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