The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016

The 27th Special Operations Wing started to launch its aircraft shortly before noon. The Capabilities Exercise (CapEx) simulated the rescue of a pilot downed behind enemy lines and being threatened by ground troops. It in‐ volved aerial assets from a number of the special operations squadrons based at Cannon. An MC‐130J Combat Talon II soon appeared, trailing its re‐ fueling drogues. A pair of CV‐22 Ospreys, probes extended, followed close behind simulating an aerial refueling mission. By now enemy forces had taken notice of the downed pilot and began closing in. The AC‐130 gunship which had been circling above the clouds now descended through the low ceiling and began circling the pilot’s position. The angle of bank and constant radius of turn meant that its guns could be constantly held on target. These attack aircraft are in constant demand to protect troops on the ground, so seeing them at an air show, even on static display, is very rare. Seeing them perform a close air support demonstration is even rarer. The AC‐130W Stinger II wasted no time in targeting the attacking insurgents. With the en‐ emy ground threat eliminated, the Combat Talon II landed and quickly unloaded two dune buggies. Airmen riding the dune buggies swiftly moved in to secure the pilot, covering him closely to make sure it was not a trap using a decoy. The two circling Ospreys now swooped in to take the troops on board and swiftly departed the area. Then it was time to look back to the history of the Air Force, with several World War II warbirds flying in review. Although few in number, the aircraft represented a broad gamut of types: the advanced trainer AT‐6 Texan, the   MQ‐9 Reaper top CV‐22 Ospreys, of the 20th SOS left bottom  AC‐130W Stinger II, right bottom

The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016 | Page 82