The 353Rd SOG Bids Farewell to the Combat Talon II the 353Rd SOG
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TheThe 353rd353rd SOGSOG bidsbids farewellfarewell toto thethe CombatCombatThe 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron salutes the final MC-130H Combat Talon II in the Pacific as it taxis to depart Kadena Air Base Dec. 4, 2019. TalonTalon IIII(U.S. Air Force photo Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) By 1st Lt. Renee Douglas Dedicated Crew Chief (DCC). “Main- only a dedicated crew chief could!” has created in the Pacific region and the 353rd Special Operations Group taining these aircraft provided us with Lieutenant Col. Joshua Petry, Com- mission it has carried out. 12/20/2019 - KADENA AIR BASE — immense job satisfaction and made the mander of the 1st SOS, gave a nod to this “After decades in the Indo-Pacific, the After 24 years of service in the Pacific Talon II maintainers a special breed. We particular attribute in his remarks at a Talon II has enabled the United States to region the last of the Air Force Special poured our blood, sweat, and tears into ceremony before the final Talon II depar- create strong bonds with many critical, Operations Command (AFSOC) MC- the aircraft daily and worked countless ture from Kadena Air Base. regional partners through flight and 130H Combat Talon II aircraft returned hours but we loved every minute of “Admittedly, the Talon II brings with maintenance training with their H-model to Hurlburt Field, Fla. Dec. 4, 2019. it crewing this amazing aircraft! As a it a unique and unmistakable look, but C-130 counterparts, including: Royal The earliest variant of the MC-130, the MC-130H DCC, having the privilege of over the years, its presence has established New Zealand Air Force’s 40th Squadron, MC-130E Combat Talon, first flew in 1966 working with such a dedicated group of a level of respect that sends a clear signal Republic of Korea Air Force’s 255 SOS, and saw extensive service in Southeast maintainers made my years on the Talon to our adversaries,” said Petry. The Talon Royal Thai Air Force’s 601st Squadron, Asia, including the attempted rescue of II some of the most memorable in my II is distinctive in appearance but the Philippine Air Force’s 220th Squadron Americans held at the Son Tay prison- career.” character of this aircraft has much more and Royal Malaysian Air Force’s No 20 er-of-war camp in 1970. O’Donoghue has served two tours with to do with the partnerships the 1st SOS Squadron.” In 1966, the 1st Special Operations the 353rd Special Operations Aircraft Squadron (SOS) began flying the MC-130E Maintenance Squadron and has worked Combat Talon under a project known as with three variants of AFSOC C-130 STRAY GOOSE, which would later be- aircraft, the MC-130P Combat Shadow, come the call sign for its original six crews. MC-130H Combat Talon II, and now the The Talon era continued for 29 years and MC-130J Air Commando II. 99 subsequent crews, flying proudly under “The Talon II aircraft have been ab- The Talon IIs first arrived at Hurl- gyros, mission computers and integrated the STRAY call sign before transitioning solute workhorses during their lifetimes, burt Field, Fla., June 29, 1992, and after global positioning system. They can lo- to the Talon II in 1995. Over the next 24 although they have left (the U.S. Indo-Pa- acceptance testing, began official flying cate, and either land or airdrop on small, years, the 1st SOS would create 92 crews cific Command), their presence continues operations Oct. 17, 1992. Since then, the unmarked zones with precise accuracy flying under the GOOSE call sign. to be seen and their mission continues to Talon II has played a vital role in AFSOC day or night. The 1st SOS will continue the STRAY be fulfilled,” said O’Donoghue. “It’s been operations by providing infiltration, exfil- An extensive electronic warfare suite legacy as the unit transitions to the MC- bittersweet watching the Talon II’s leave tration and resupply of special operations enables the aircrew to detect and avoid 130J Air Commando II this spring. The this area of responsibility, but they will forces and equipment in hostile or denied potential threats. If engaged, the system 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) forever live in the hearts of the crew that territory and accomplishing secondary will protect the aircraft from both radar will reorganize its two MC-130 squadrons flew them and the maintainers that kept missions including psychological opera- and infrared-guided threats. The Talon II transitioning the aircraft and personnel them airborne.” tions and air-to-air refueling. is also equipped with aerial refueling pods from the 17th SOS to the 1st SOS and The Talon II carries so much equipment The Talon II carries terrain-following to provide in-flight refueling of special standing down the 17th SOS. the design of the aircraft is a little different and terrain-avoidance radars capable of operations forces and combat search and The Airmen who fly and maintain from most variations of the C-130. The operations as low as 250 feet in adverse rescue helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft. the Talon II are proud to be part of this nose of the aircraft juts out sharply com- weather conditions. Structural changes The 1st SOS, and the 353rd Special specialized mission. pared to other AFSOC C-130s, almost like to a basic C-130 include the addition Operations Wing, were moved to Kadena “As one of the last Air Force squadrons the bill of their namesake Stray Goose. of an in-flight refueling receptacle, and Air Base, Japan from Clark Air Base, with legacy C-130’s, we were part of a very “The Talon II is not a glamorous air- strengthening of the tail to allow high- Republic of the Philippines Feb. 5, 1992. unique mission in the (U.S. Indo-Pacific) craft, some may even say they are ugly,” speed and low-signature airdrop. Their The 1st SOS flew a mixed fleet of Combat Command area of responsibility due to said O’Donoghue. “I grew to love these navigation suites include dual ring-laser Talon I and II aircraft at Kadena until the the aircraft’s specialized capabilities,” said dirty, worn, and ugly aircraft like only READ THE TALON MISSION Page 3 Tech. Sgt. Peter O’Donoghue, MC-130H a mother could or more accurately, like 2 SAMURAI GATE JANUARY 10, 2020 By Staff Sgt. Daniel “If you’re contemplating suicide,” Fernandez said Hayner, “you don’t know 18th Wing Public Affairs how many people you’re going to 12/16/2019 - KADENA AIR be impacting when you’re gone.” BASE — U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Losing Ben to the same de- Sophia Hayner knew in her heart structive behavior she nearly fell she was struggling and didn’t victim to has given Hayner a clear want to be alive. understanding that mental illness Despite her suicidal thoughts, must not remain stigmatized. she triaged her mental state She serves a purpose to change enough to take action. that perception. She believes that Her first act toward healing despite the hardships, they have was opening up to a wingman made her stronger and who she who helped her find the support is today. she needed. However, she then “Being molested as a kid, having decided to cut off communi- an abortion, being sexually cation with her family. As an assaulted twice during my Air Airman serving her country far Force career, and getting PTSD, from home, the distance often U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sophia Hayner, 82nd depression and anxiety from the accompanying military service Reconnaissance Squadron, poses for a portrait trauma… Having dealt with all lent itself to her desired isolation. at Kadena Air Base, Dec. 3, 2019. that gives me the ability to relate Hayner didn’t know this decision (U.S. Air Force photo illustrator by Staff Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez) to people,” she reflected. “I’m still would later haunt her. I blocked out,” Hayner said. not perfect,” Hayner said. “My family is not here,” she said. “I’m still in the Air Force.” As an aircraft maintainer, Hayner works She began therapy for the next four perfect. But while I was home, there were Hayner said this year taught her all in a career field consistently taking great years and faced down the demons lodged things that were said despite my mental she’s endured and gone through is for the strides toward preventing suicide amongst into her subconscious. condition. At the time, my siblings were my purpose of helping other people. its ranks. Cases of suicide in the armed Four years later while on the job, ‘why’ – the reason why I didn’t kill myself. I “It sucks. It’s been awful,” said Hayner. forces don’t necessarily correlate to the Hayner suffered an anxiety attack while love them so much.” “But it’s been necessary. Not just for me, but burden of serving one’s country. A study trying to service a malfunctioning aircraft. Hayner made the hardest decision she for other people.” by National Institute for Mental Health Her leadership accompanied her to mental ever had to make for the sake of her own The Air Force is well-equipped to revealed suicide rates among military health. health. She cut contact with her family after handle prevention and mitigation, offering members is comparable to civilians. Despite the mental health team’s efforts, her sister’s graduation in May 2016 until training, counseling, and so much more. Although heroes in their own right, U.S. she held back, too afraid to reopen her February 3, 2018.