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The MC-130E Combat Talon I known as the “Godfather” leaves Duke Field, Fla., for the last time headed to its final resting place: a special operations airpark at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
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Historic Combat Talon I leaves Duke for final home in New Mexico
Posted 7/24/2012 Updated 7/24/2012
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by Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, Duke Field, Fla.
7/24/2012 - Citizen Airman/Aug 2012 -- After more than 23,500 hours of flight time and approximately 47 years in service, the MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft known as the "Godfather" left Duke Field, Fla., June 22 for its last mission.
The aircraft with tail number 64-0523 took off for its final resting place -- a special operations airpark at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
"It's always sad to see these significant aircraft retire," said Col. Anthony Comtois, 919th Special Operations Wing commander. "There's so much history behind these old birds, not just for our wing, but for both special ops and the Air Force. They've been a part of the Air Force's involvement in every major conflict for the last 40 years."
The Godfather is one of four Combat Talons retiring from Duke this year as the 919th begins its transition toward the new aviation foreign internal defense mission.
"Change is always difficult, but it's a good thing," Comtois said. "Our wing is continuing to transform and grow to support the special ops mission."
More than 40 Airmen and retirees with connections to 0523 lined the flight line area to see the Godfather off. The aircraft's nickname came about just after it arrived at Duke Field in 2000. Duke was the last of four bases 0523 was stationed at through the years.
"There were four of us who were maintaining it when it first arrived. We all came from New England and had Italian heritage. ... that's how the name came about," said Rick Andreozzi, the crew chief of 0523 for 9 1/2 years who gave the Talon its nickname.
Of the many combat sorties the Godfather took part in, one will always be remembered and is part of special operations history.
On Aug. 21, 1970, the aircraft flew lead on the Air Force assault force that brought Army special forces Soldiers to Son Tay in North Vietnam to raid a prisoner-of-war camp and rescue any detainees. Prior to the raid, the Soldiers involved trained for the mission at Duke Field.
We weren't making war but rather leading a humanitarian mission deep into the heart of the enemy," said William Guenon Jr., the retired Air Force pilot who flew 0523 on the Son Tay raid mission 42 years ago.
Although no POWs were recovered in the raid, the mission forced North Vietnam to gather POWs in fewer locations to prevent similar raids, making POW communication and organization easier. POW morale was said to have soared after word of the raid reached other camps. Later, one POW recalled that "the Son Tay rescue attempt dispelled all doubt. We were not forgotten; our country cared." |
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