MC-130

The US Air Force Special Operations Command mobility-and-infiltration variant of the C-130 Hercules — current production MC-130J Commando II provides aerial refueling of helicopters and tiltrotors, low-level infiltration and resupply, and combat search-and-rescue support — the legacy MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130P Combat Shadow variants have been progressively retired or transitioned to MC-130J — providing the AFSOC long-range SOF mobility and refueling capability.

"The AFSOC C-130 — Combat Talon and Combat Shadow lineage, refuels helicopters."

MC-130 is the AFSOC variant of the C-130 Hercules — current production MC-130J Commando II combines the legacy MC-130H Combat Talon II (low-level infiltration and resupply) and the MC-130P Combat Shadow (aerial refueling of helicopters and tiltrotors) into a single airframe variant. The aircraft refuels MH-60 Pave Hawk and HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopters and CV-22B Osprey SOF tiltrotors, performs low-level infiltration and resupply of SOF elements, and provides extended-range SOF mobility. AFSOC operates the type from Cannon AFB, Hurlburt Field, and forward-deployed locations. The aircraft is part of the broader AFSOC mobility-aviation enterprise alongside AC-130 Gunship and the rotary-wing tiltrotor fleet.