PUERTO RICO
Pennsylvania Air Guard gets new special ops aircraft PENNSYLVANIA
By Capt. Susan Penning 193rd Special Operations Wing | AUG. 11, 2023
The MC-130J Commando II flies clandestine single or multi-ship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft.
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing accepted a new MC-130J Commando II military aircraft during a July 27 ceremony. The 193rd SOW is the first — and currently the only — ANG unit to receive the MC-130J Commando II mission, a core, flagship mission of Air Force Special Operations Command. According to military officials, the aircraft’s capabilities put the 193rd SOW — one of the most deployed wings in the National Guard — at the forefront of the battlespace to meet today’s special operation needs. The ceremony featured prominent guest speakers, including Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander; Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, ANG director; Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, Pennsylvania National Guard deputy adjutant general – air; Col. Edward Fink, 193rd SOW commander; and Bill Bassett, Lockheed Martin director of special missions programs. Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the adjutant general of Pennsylvania, also attended. “Today is a great day for Pennsylvania, our Air Force and the 193rd Special Operations Wing,” Regan said. “But an aircraft is just an aircraft until our highly trained Airmen climb in. That’s what turns it into a weapons system. This is the right time and the right place for this mission.”
The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets.
“The 193rd Special Operations Wing is poised to make history … again,” Bauernfeind said. “I’m confident this wing will continue to be the vanguard of our freedom anytime, anywhere.” The 193rd SOW commemorated the sunset of its previous EC-130J Commando Solo mission with a final broadcast during the Com- munity Days Air Show event in Lancaster last year. Wing leaders say personnel have been training on the new mission ever since. “This new mission represents the next chapter in this wing’s proud legacy,” Fink said. The wing’s former EC-130J Commando Solo mission focused on infor- mation operations via broadcasts on FM, TV and military communica- tions bands. Although effective in the past, it may no longer be how an intended audience gets its messaging. Based on the wing’s seven EC-130 aircraft being “J” models with relatively low flight hours, all seven aircraft are being retained as C-130s and distributed to other major commands and joint partners.
Puerto Rico Guard Youth Program develops future leaders
By 2nd Lt. Eliezer Soto 156th Wing | SEPT. 21, 2023
“Family is an essential part of our training,” said Edgardo Soto, the academy’s public affairs and community coordinator. “We integrate parents through workshops about diverse topics while we train their children, which promotes a family and community environ- ment in our academy that provides the necessary support to our cadets.” Senior Airman Héctor López Rosa, a financial management techni- cian with 156th Comptroller Flight, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, said the program had a positive impact on his son, Cadet Jan López.
EPONCE, Puerto Rico - More than 220 cadets with the Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduated from the 22-week educa- tional program with their high school diplomas and certificates in vocational or technical courses Sept. 15. “The Youth ChalleNGe Academy Program has changed the lives of thousands of youths who — for one reason or another — aban- doned their studies and saw in the Academy the opportunity to grow and develop, acquiring life skills and technical skills,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Méndez, adjutant general of Puerto Rico. “I congratu- late each of these 223 youths who have taken this important step toward their future. “ The academy has graduated more than 8,000 young cadets in 24 years. It provides 16- to 18-year-olds who are dropouts or at risk with discipline in a quasi-military environment by focusing on academic education, leadership, physical training, personal growth and community service. “Our academy is focused on rescuing youths from becoming school deserters or who are at risk, transforming their lives with useful tools so that they may continue studying or to help them join the workforce,” said Matilde Almodóvar Acosta, Youth Chal- leNGe Academy director.
Wing officials said the transition to the MC-130J Commando II mis- sion should result in a net neutral change in aircraft and personnel.
“I am extremely happy and proud of him and know that great things are coming for him in the future,” he said.
Cadet López said he experienced frustrations at the beginning of the course but persevered, thanks to the support of his family and academy mentors. “Being away from my family was my biggest challenge during this program, but it also motivated me to overcome any situation and complete the ultimate goal: graduating,” said Cadet López.
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