Not just for pilots

Staff Sgt. Omar Sykes, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, trains on the MC-130E Combat Talon I simulator Sept. 20, 2012 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. After the simulator retires, training will be accomplished in the MC-130E aircraft itself or the MC-130H Combat Talon II simulator. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost)

Inside MC-130E simulator

The MC-130E Combat Talon I simulator awaits its next set of trainees Sept. 20, 2012 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The simulator is scheduled to retire Oct. 1, 2012 and will eventually be replaced with the next generation MC-130J model in September 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost)

Outside MC-130E simulator

The MC-130E Combat Talon I simulator sits in one of the simulator bays Sept. 20, 2012 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Since all of the simulators look the same from the outside, they are identified by a specific emblem. For example, this simulator is marked with a pterodactyl dinosaur. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost)

MC-130E simulator to retire

Published Sept. 21, 2012
By Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The first simulator assigned to the 19th Special Operation Squadron, the MC-130E Combat Talon I, is scheduled to retire Oct. 1 at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

More than 800 aircrew members have trained on this particular simulator since 1997, according to William Guagliardo, 19th SOS project officer.

"As aircraft are replaced, training systems are replaced," he said. "The MC-130E aircraft is scheduled to retire in September 2013, and around that time, the next generation MC-130J simulator will be here. In the mean time, the MC-130H Combat Talon II will continue to provide training for pilots, mechanics and other career fields."

Guagliardo said the final class of MC-130E student pilots finished training Sept. 20 and will accomplish any additional training in the aircraft itself.

As for the future, it is still unclear where this simulator's next home will be.

"We are in the process of seeing if another military installation can use it," Guagliardo said. "If not, it may simply be scrapped for metal and other parts."