By Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published August 25, 2017
Master Sgt. David Wheeler, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, prepares for an MC-130J Commando II engine start Aug. 23, 2017 at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 9th SOS retains mission readiness by maintaining pilot and aircrew training for normal, night and special operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An engine-start check is performed prior to an MC-130J Commando II takeoff for night operations from Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Aug. 23, 2017. This aircraft provides low-level air refueling capabilities and infiltration and exfiltration of troops into hostile territories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An MC-130J Commando II prepares to take off from Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, for training operations Aug. 23, 2017. This aircraft has been in use at Cannon AFB since September 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
Maj. Marc Lovelace, 9th Special Operations Squadron pilot, leads an air refueling mission over New Mexico Aug. 23, 2017. The 9th SOS retains mission readiness by maintaining pilot and aircrew training for normal, night and special operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
A KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel an MC-130J Commando II during an aerial refueling mission over New Mexico on Aug. 23, 2017. During aerial refueling missions, the aircraft must maintain precision accuracy to ensure proper fuel transfer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
A KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel an MC-130J Commando II during an aerial refueling mission over New Mexico on Aug. 23, 2017. The in-air refueling allows the MC-130J to carry its mission into harsher environments to support hostile infiltration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An MC-130J Commando II flies over New Mexico during an aerial refueling mission Aug. 23, 2017. The MC-130J can be aerially refueled to allow it to continue refueling low-flying aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An infiltration is performed during an MC-130J Commando II night operations training mission at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Aug. 23, 2017. The MC-130J allows special operations troops to be infiltrated behind the line of hostile territories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An exfiltration is performed during an MC-130J Commando II night operations training mission at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Aug. 23, 2017. The MC-130J has the ability to land in austere environments to load up personnel for exfiltration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)
An infiltration is performed during an MC-130J Commando II night operations training mission at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Aug. 23, 2017. The MC-130J can load troops and vehicles to later be dropped into hostile areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens/Released)