High-speed air-to-air refueling

Airmen assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing perform preflight procedures on an HC-130J Combat King II at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Oct. 26, 2023. The Combat King II's mission is to rapidly deploy to execute recovery operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all weather personnel recovery operations to include airdrop, high speed air-to-air refueling, helicopter air-to-air refueling and forward area ground refueling missions. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

An F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft connects with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for high-speed air-to-air refueling Oct. 26, 2023 off the eastern South Carolina coast. The Combat King II's ability to refuel other aircraft in-flight enhances overall mission readiness by enabling the rapid deployment of forces to remote locations and ensuring operational flexibility by extending the range of aircraft to sustain operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

The sun begins to set as a 920th Rescue Wing HC-130J Combat King II aircrew fly off the eastern South Carolina coast, Oct. 26, 2023 to rendezvous with F-18 fighter aircraft for high-speed air-to-air refueling. The Combat King II's mission is to rapidly deploy to execute recovery operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all weather personnel recovery operations to include airdrop, high speed air-to-air refueling, helicopter air-to-air refueling and forward area ground refueling missions. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

An F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft prepares to connect with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for high-speed air-to-air refueling Oct. 26, 2023 off the eastern South Carolina coast. The Combat King II's ability to refuel other aircraft in-flight enhances overall mission readiness by enabling the rapid deployment of forces to remote locations and ensuring operational flexibility by extending the range of aircraft to sustain operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Austin Schwier, 39 Rescue Squadron loadmaster, operates the refueling hose of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during high-speed air-to-air refueling with F/A-18 fighter aircraft off the eastern South Carolina coast, Oct. 26, 2023. The Combat King II's ability to refuel other aircraft in-flight enhances overall mission readiness by enabling the rapid deployment of forces to remote locations and ensuring operational flexibility by extending the range of aircraft to sustain operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Arthur Ausby, 39th Rescue Squadron combat systems officer, performs his responsibilities within an HC-130J Combat King II off the eastern South Carolina coast, Oct. 26, 2023. The CSO is responsible for managing and operating the aircraft's advanced combat systems to include radar, communication equipment and defensive countermeasures. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

High-speed air-to-air refueling

Aircrew assigned to the 39th Rescue Squadron fly an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during high-speed air-to-air refueling Oct. 26, 2023 off the eastern South Carolina coast. The Combat King II's ability to refuel other aircraft in-flight enhances overall mission readiness by enabling the rapid deployment of forces to remote locations and ensuring operational flexibility by extending the range of aircraft to sustain operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Collin Wesson)

HC-130J Combat King II refuels U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter

Published Oct. 30, 2023

PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. --

The 39th Rescue Squadron conducted high-speed air-to-air refueling with Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft Oct. 26 over the eastern South Carolina coast.

This HC-130J capability supports joint-service interoperability and enhances the success of military operations worldwide by increasing available assets to conduct operations jointly where other aircraft may not be available, allowing the mission to continue unhindered.

As the dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the Air Force inventory, the HC-130J is designed to conduct personnel recovery missions, provide a command and control platform and carry supplemental fuel for extending aircraft range.