New Wing at Davis-Monthan Will Embrace MC-130s, ‘Gentle Assault‘ CSAF Says

Editor’s Notice: This story was up to date April 28 after the Air Power clarified which plane might be a part of the 492nd Energy Projection Wing.

The Particular Operations “Energy Projection Wing” deliberate for Davis-Monthan Air Power Base, Ariz., will embody MC-130s and “mild assault” plane—in all probability the brand new Sky Wardens—Chief of Employees Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. advised Congress on April 27. 

The brand new mixture of Air Power Particular Operations Command plane will substitute the A-10s now primarily based at Davis-Monthan as they’re retired in coming years. 

The Air Power cited plans for the 492nd Energy Projection Wing in its 2024 finances request and subsequently confirmed these plans to Air & House Forces Journal. However precisely which plane could be included was not clear till now. 

Requested by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) to supply extra particulars, Brown mentioned the Energy Projection Wing could be “bringing in our MC-130s [and] mild assault plane.”  

The MC-130 is a tanker/mobility plane, utilized by Particular Operations Forces for covert day, evening, and opposed climate infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply. Based mostly on the Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, the closely modified Sky Warden gained the Armed Overwatch competitors. The plane will substitute Air Power Particular Operations Command’s growing old fleet of U-28A Draco ISR plane and increase remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper drones once they attain preliminary operational functionality in 2026. 

Additionally headed to Davis-Monthan are new EC-37 Compass Name digital warfare plane and HH-60W Jolly Inexperienced II search and rescue helicopters. 

“Their entry to the ranges which might be there in Arizona and within the western United States will enhance their coaching alternative,” Brown mentioned of all the brand new plane. 

Brown pledged the Air Power would work with native stakeholders and base officers to handle the stream of latest Airmen to Davis-Monthan as the brand new wing stands up. 

Gallego was one among 4 Arizona lawmakers—together with Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.)—to launch a joint letter earlier this month saying they had been “inspired by the Air Power’s intention to carry new, sturdy flying missions” to Davis-Monthan and urging Air Power Secretary Frank Kendall to develop efforts to maintain the local people knowledgeable. 

Kendall did that in an April 19-20 go to to Davis-Monthan. A brand new Web site Activation Process Power has already convened to contemplate what army development and associated modifications is likely to be wanted on the base.