“The weapons system that we have that has drawn the highest utilization in terms of crews is the MC-130P, the tankers,” said Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, head of Air Force Special Operations, highlighting the AFSOC airmen most affected by frequent overseas deployments. Wing-box repairs on the MC-130E/H Combat Talon fleet have meant that the remaining MC-130P Combat Shadow and MC-130W Combat Spear aircraft have been shifted to meet operational workloads. MC-130Ws normally tasked with airlift have been shifted to battlefield over-watch and strike roles, leaving the tanker fleet to supply airlift. Speaking Wednesday afternoon during the Four-Star Forum at AFA’s Air & Space Conference, Wurster said: “Our tanker force has really done a remarkable job. They’ve surged several times for activities that are going on in Africa.” He added, “People in our line of work are used to being gone a fair amount, but we do have some that I watch.”
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
