LONDON – Aircrews from the US Air Force Reserve’s 711th Special Operations Squadron departed the Duke Field, Florida flightline in four C-145A Combat Coyote aircraft for the last time on December 15.

The twin-engine C-145A Combat Coyote, also known as the Wolfhound, is being retired after 10 years of service to Air Force Special Operations Comman

When the aircraft returned, aviators, loadmasters, and ground crew alike all gathered to respectfully mark the end of an era.

The Combat Coyote’s landed in sequence and proceeded in tight formation down the taxiiway as if to offer one final show for the small group of awaiting spectators.

“There weren’t many other aircraft in the Air Force like this one,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Barton, former senior enlisted leader of the 919th Special Operations Group.

“These guys loved this airplane, it really stood out from the crowd.”

The 919th Special Operations Wing began utilizing the Combat Coyote in 2012. Combat Aviation Advisors from the 711th SOS used the aircraft to maintain proficiency prior to instructing partner nation aircrew on a wide range of advanced aviation tactics.

Instructors from the 5th Special Operations Squadron Detachment 1 at Duke Field trained U.S. Air Force pilots on the aircraft for Air Force Special Operations Command.

Although it was not used for overseas deployments in recent years, the Combat Coyote’s provided a tactical mobility advantage to missions downrange when they were initially purchased by the command.

They could make short landings and takeoffs, ideal for rural, undeveloped airfields and cargo delivery to forward operating bases.

“Today’s flight was a little bitter sweet,” said Maj. Kristoffer Williams, 711th SOS chief of safety. “It’s been a great aircraft to fly, the Wolfhound was good to us while it lasted.”

The 919th SOW was the last wing operating the airframe, officially retiring it from the U.S. Air Force. Citizen Air Commandos and their families gathered on the flightline to watch the planes land and congratulate pilots on the final flight.

About the C-145A Combat Coyote

The C-145A is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft with twin vertical fins and a non-retractable tricycle landing gear capable of short takeoff and landings to unprepared runways.

The C-145A is reconfigurable to support both air, land and airdrop of cargo (max 2,400 pounds) and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The C-145A can carry a maximum of 16 passengers or 10 combat rigged paratroopers. Maximum cargo weight is 5,000 pounds, or up to four litter patients. Missions can be conducted to prepared and semi-prepared airfields.

[give_form id=”15485″]