"These aircraft were referred to as the 
HC-130 prior to 1996 and were deployed 
to Saudi Arabia and  Turkey in support 
of Desert Storm. They operated from main 
bases and remote locations. Their missions 
included air refueling of special operations 
forces helicopters over friendly and hostile 
territory, psychological operations, and 
leaflet drops.

Builder: Lockheed
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 
turboprop engines
Thrust: 4,910 shaft horsepower each engine
Length: 98 ft 9 in (30.09 meters)
Height: 38 ft 6 in (11.7 meters)
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.4 meters)
Speed: 289 miles per hour (at sea level)
Ceiling: 33,000 ft
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000
Crew: Four officers (pilot, copilot, 
primary navigator, secondary navigator); 
four enlisted men (flight engineer, 
communications systems operator, two loadmasters)
Air Force Inventory: Active Component 24
Reserve Component 4

Mission
The mission of the MC-130P is clandestine formation/single-ship 
intrusion of hostile territory to provide aerial refueling of 
special operations helicopters and the infiltration, exfiltration, 
and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland 
operations. To perform these missions, the primary emphasis is on 
night vision goggle (NVG) operations, but they can be accomplished 
during the day. The MC-130P primarily flies missions at night to 
reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne 
threats. Secondary mission capabilities may include airdrop of small 
special operations teams, small bundles, and combat rubber raiding 
craft; as well as NVG takeoff and landing procedures, tactical 
airborne radar approaches, and in-flight refueling as a receiver.

Equipment
Some aircraft are currently being modified with the Universal 
Air Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation system for inflight 
refueling as a receiver and all aircraft are modified with the 
self-contained navigation systems and Global Positioning System. 
The Special Operations Forces Improvement modification will give 
the aircraft an NVG HUD, a new modified radar, and a Infrared 
Detection System. These modifications will greatly increase the 
range and navigational accuracy of the MC-130 P. The aircraft 
normally carries eight crewmembers. Depending on mission profile 
and duration, additional crewmembers are carried. All crewmembers 
are NVG/formation and helicopter air refueling qualified. Special 
qualifications include high altitude low opening airdrop, NVG airland, 
formation lead, inflight refueling, and Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac.

Airdrops
The MC-130P airdrop personnel or equipment. 
The drop zone point of impact (PI) must be marked. 
The location, size, and marking of drop zones must conform 
with AFI 13-217. 
Release point computation. Normally the navigator determines 
the release point using manual Computed Air Release Point  
procedures, parachute ballistic data, and wind effects. He 
visually directs the pilot to the release point. Alternate 
methods of deployments include Visual Ground Marked Release 
System, Verbally Initiated  Release System, jumpmaster 
directed airdrops, and parabundle and free-fall drop  
procedures for door bundles.

Personnel Drops
The MC-130P can be used for both static line and free-fall 
jumps. Static line low altitude airdrops: 130 KIAS at a 
minimum of 800 ft AGL. The aircraft is not configured to 
retrieve static lines from the ramp. All static line jumps 
must be accomplished from the paratroop doors. With two 
loadmasters, one per door, the maximum number of jumpers 
that can be deployed is six per door per pass, or 12 per 
pass with 15 foot static lines, a U-clamp must be used on 
the anchor cable. The purpose of the  U-clamp is to 
effectively shorten the static line to prevent fouling of 
the static lines on the external rails of the MC-130P cargo 
door. High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) airdrops are made above 
3000 ft AGL where a freefall is planned prior to parachute 
opening. The navigator will determine the High  Altitude 
Release Point. High Altitude High Opening airdrops are  
normally made above 10,000 ft AGL, but with no freefall, 
in order to travel long  distances. Both are flown at 130 KIAS.

Equipment Drops
Parabundle and free-fall door bundle drops are aircrew directed 
at very low altitudes. Parabundles are dropped at 300ft AGL with 
parachutes, or 150ft AGL without parachutes. Both of these drops 
are flown at 130 KIAS.

Airland
Infiltration and exfiltration may be conducted at overt landing 
zones. Landing zones and lighting must conform to AFI 13-217. 
The landing zone should be hard surfaced. Except for contingency/
emergency operations, runway lengths less than 3000 feet will not 
be used.
Minimum runway width is 60 feet.
Minimum taxiway width is 30 feet.
Runway lighting must be available. (CAN BE COVERT)

Planning Factors and Considerations
Twelve hours of crew rest prior to flight is required once all 
planning is completed. Three hours are required prior to takeoff 
for briefings, final planning, aircraft preflight checks, engine 
start, taxi and takeoff. Most missions are 5 to 6 hrs in duration, 
to include 3 to 4 hrs of low-level. Load capabilities are dependent 
on aircraft configuration and fuel load.

(Excerpt from the JCS SOF Reference Manual)