HC-130P completes final deployment

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Callaghan
23d Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2014 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Two aircraft and more than 30 Airmen returned home to Moody after five months supporting Air Forces Africa, completing the final active-duty HC-130P Combat King deployment on Aug. 5, 2014.

The aircraft, assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron, are currently being phased out as the Air Force transitions to the newer HC-130J Combat King II.

"Today is a special day for us, because it's the last deployment return of the active duty HC-130Ps," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sean Hosey, 71st RQS commander. "This culminates around 50 years of combat experience for this aircraft. [These aircraft have] a long and distinguished legacy of valor that we're bringing to a close."

Hosey says it's bittersweet to see the end of the HC-130P because he's flown it since 2003.

"They've been great aircraft to fly, incredibly reliable," he said. "To see them go is a little bit sad, but we're excited, because we have the next generation HC-130 on the [flightline]. The HC-130Js are an extremely capable airframe."

Even though the HC-130P is scheduled to retire, Hosey says it has been a tremendous asset to the mission at the 71st RQS.

"In the last four years alone, we've flown over 2,000 missions in combat and combat support," he said. "We've saved over 1,500 lives, and we've assisted in saving over 2,000 [additional] lives. It's been extremely useful in both the Afghanistan and Horn of Africa areas of responsibility."

Capt. C.J. Cersovski, 71st RQS HC-130P pilot, co-piloted one of the aircraft on its return to Moody.

"It's a great aircraft," Cersovski said. "It's [accomplished] a lot and it's been a lot of places. I'm pretty happy to be flying it.

"The plane we flew is a 1964 model, so it has 50 years of experience. To be able to be a part of its last chapter is pretty exciting."

The 71st RQS will complete the transition to the upgraded J-model by September 2015, a move Cerovski says is well-anticipated.

"There are a lot of people here excited about flying it," he said. "It'll be a good transition."