The C-145A War Machine Completes a Decade of Service with Its Farewell Mission
Aircrews from the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 711th Special Operations Squadron bid farewell to their trusted companions, the C-145A Combat Coyote aircraft, on December 15, 2022. After a decade of dedicated service to the Air Force Special Operations Command, these aircraft took their final flight from the Duke Field flightline.
As the aircraft returned from their farewell journey, aviators, loadmasters, and ground crew gathered to mark the end of an era. The Combat Coyotes landed gracefully in sequence and taxied down the runway in tight formation, offering a poignant farewell to the small group of spectators who had assembled to witness this historic moment.
The 919th Special Operations Wing introduced the Combat Coyote into its fleet in 2012. The 711th SOS Combat Aviation Advisors used these aircraft to maintain their proficiency before instructing partner nation aircrews in a wide range of advanced aviation tactics. Instructors from the 5th Special Operations Squadron Detachment 1 at Duke Field also trained U.S. Air Force pilots on these specialized aircraft for Air Force Special Operations Command.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Barton, the former senior enlisted leader of the 919th Special Operations Group, fondly remarked, “There weren’t many other aircraft in the Air Force like this one. These guys loved this airplane; it really stood out from the crowd. The only constant in the Air Force is change. The people that flew the C-145 enjoyed it. It was a nice aircraft to have for a while, but I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Maj. Kristoffer Williams, the 711th SOS chief of safety, shared his sentiments, stating, “Today’s flight was a little bittersweet. It’s been a great aircraft to fly, the Wolfhound was good to us while it lasted. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this airframe. We learned to appreciate it, but it’s time to move on to the next aircraft.”
While the Combat Coyotes were not used for overseas deployments in recent years, they provided a tactical mobility advantage to missions downrange when they were initially procured by the command. Their ability to execute short landings and takeoffs made them ideal for rural, undeveloped airfields and for cargo delivery to forward operating bases.
The 919th Special Operations Wing was the last unit operating these airframes, officially retiring them from the U.S. Air Force. Citizen Air Commandos and their families gathered on the flightline to watch the aircraft land and to congratulate the pilots on their final flight. The wing has a historical legacy of adapting to the evolving needs of the Air Force, having previously retired the AC-130H Spectre and the MC-130E Combat Talon I. As in years past, the wing is ready to transform to meet the future needs of the Air Force Special Operations Command.
The primary role of the C-145A was to enable Combat Aviation Advisors to carry out U.S. Special Operations Command’s Aviation Foreign Internal Defense and Aviation Security Cooperation missions. Originally procured in 2009 for non-standard aviation special air mobility missions, in 2010, AFSOC designated the C-145A primarily for CAA use.
The C-145A is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft with twin vertical fins and non-retractable tricycle landing gear, capable of short takeoffs and landings on unprepared runways. It can be reconfigured to support air, land, and airdrop of cargo (up to 2,400 pounds) and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations. The aircraft can carry a maximum of 16 passengers or 10 combat-rigged paratroopers, with a maximum cargo weight of 5,000 pounds or up to four litter patients. Missions can be conducted to both prepared and semi-prepared airfields, showcasing the versatility and importance of the C-145A in the Air Force’s mission repertoire.
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