79th /
306th Rescue Squadron HC-130P Airdrop
Airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 306th Rescue
Squadron
parachute out of an HC-130P Aug. 15 at Davis-Monthan AFB in the first
multi-lift HC-130 airdrop here. They were able to
accomplish seven drops from different altitudes. (U.S. Air Force
photo/Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero)
The HC-130P/N is the USAF's sole dedicated fixed-wing
CSAR platform, and are flown by the 71st and 79th Rescue Squadrons in
Air Combat Command, the 550th Special Operations Squadron in Air
Education and Training Command, the 920th Rescue Group in Air
Force Reserve Command and the 106th Rescue Wing, 129th RQW and
176th Wing in the Air National Guard.
First flown in 1964, the aircraft has served many roles and missions.
It was initially modified to conduct search and rescue missions,
provide a command and control platform, in-flight-refuel helicopters
and carry supplemental fuel for extending range or air refueling.
In April 2006, the continental U.S. search and rescue mission was
transferred back to Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Va. From 2003 to
2006, the mission was under the Air Force Special Operations Command at
Hurlburt Field, Fla. Previously, HC-130s were assigned to
ACC from 1992 to 2003,and earlier were assigned to the Air Rescue
Service as part of the former Military Airlift Command.
via USAF fact sheet
