HC-130J, the U.S. Air Force's only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform
A 39th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II aircraft flies over Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, during a routine training mission on Jan. 8, 2023. The 39th RQS operates the HC-130J, the U.S. Air Force’s only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder)
BREVARD COUNTY • PATRICK SPACE FORCE, FLORIDA – Lt. Col. Chris Ferrara, 39th Rescue Squadron pilot, scanned the ocean as he maneuvers an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during open water rescue training near the Florida coast.
The 39th RQS operates the HC-130J, the U.S. Air Force’s only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform.
Its capabilities lend itself to a multitude of missions by supporting airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling and forward-area ground refueling missions, humanitarian aid operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation, and noncombatant evacuation operations.
Master Sgt. Spencer Schenkelberg, 39th Rescue Squadron loadmaster, watches for the correct timing to drop a smoke marker from the back of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during open water rescue training near the Florida coast Jan. 8, 2023. The 39th RQS operates the HC-130J, the U.S. Air Force’s only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform. Its capabilities lend itself to a multitude of missions by supporting airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling and forward-area ground refueling missions, humanitarian aid operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation and noncombatant evacuation operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder)Lt. Col. Chris Ferrara, 39th Rescue Squadron pilot, scans the ocean as he maneuvers an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during open water rescue training near the Florida coast Jan. 8, 2023. The 39th RQS operates the HC-130J, the U.S. Air Force’s only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform. Its capabilities lend itself to a multitude of missions by supporting airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling and forward-area ground refueling missions, humanitarian aid operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation and noncombatant evacuation operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren M. Snyder)
