1 - The Black Vault

PRAETORIAN STARSHIP
control, rudder installation, and yaw stability to
satisfy the issues raised by the OUE team. The
radar system installed on the Credible Sport aircraft
was also deemed inadequate, and the team
felt that it could affect the avionics evaluation
scheduled for Phase II. Cockpit configuration
needed improvement, and with the emphasis on
terminal approach avionics during Phase I, the
air-drop mode of operation was not evaluated.
The many problems and issues identified during
Phase I required resolution before the program
could move to Phase II. 38
* * * * * *
As the 8th SOS wound down operations in
Certain Tribute, preparations were being finalized
for the squadron’s participation in Bright
Star 82 scheduled to be held in Sudan from 22
November to 12 December. On 30 November two
MC-130Es departed Hurlburt Field en route to
the exercise. One aircraft, commanded by Brenci,
with Hobson as his first pilot, flew a nonstop,
long-range infiltration mission into Wadi Seidna,
Sudan, utilizing three IFRs and 27 hours flying
time. The second Talon proceeded to Lajes Field,
Azores, with one IFR and then flew on to Sudan
the following day. 39 Local training and exercise
sorties were flown by exercise participants beginning
on 30 November. Bright Star 82 provided excellent
desert training in low-level terrain follow -
ing and very low altitude operations along with
NVG blacked-out landings. 40 During the first MC-
130E flight after arriving in Sudan, one of the Talons
experienced a flap-brake failure. After attempts
to install a locally procured flap brake
from a different manufacturer failed, maintenance
was able to source the correct part from
Cairo West and finally solved the problem. The
second Talon required a propeller change during
the initial phase of the exercise, but it was replaced
without the loss of any exercise missions. 41
Both MC-130Es redeployed from Wadi Seidna on
10 December and stopped at Rhein Main AB and
Lajes Field during their return trip. The last leg
of the redeployment included IFR over Bermuda,
with the aircraft arriving back in Florida on 14
December after logging 54 sorties and 201 total
hours during the 15-day deployment. 42
1982: Joint Tasking
Challenges the 1st SOW
On 1 January 1982, Colonel Hess assumed the
position of operations officer of the 1st SOS from
Wilson. Hess used the first three months of 1982
to concentrate on unit training in the Philippines.
Since relocating to Clark AB the prior year, the
squadron had developed extensive low-level
routes throughout Luzon and had benefited from
the rich training environment found there. From
8 to 26 February, the squadron supported
Specwarex 82 from Clark AB, setting up an AF-
SOB there and dedicating two aircraft and three
crews to the US Navy SEAL exercise. The exercise
provided excellent training for the squadron,
including hard-to-get rapid onload and off-load
events. 43 By mid-March the squadron was back in
Korea for Team Spirit 82. From 16 March to 5
April, two 1st SOS MC-130Es, four ROKAF C-
123s, and two 374th TAW C-130E SOLL aircraft
formed the CAFSOB at Kimhae AB, Korea, and
supported the exercise. Unlike Foal Eagle, Team
Spirit was a conventional exercise with unconventional
warfare units serving as opposition forces
for large-scale maneuvers around which the exercise
was centered. The CAFSOB was tasked to
support both “blue” and “orange” forces, thus creating
confusion within the special operations
headquarters. The exercise was unrealistic for
CAFSOB participants, but some excellent training
events were accomplished. 44
At Hurlburt Field the New Year promised to
be a busy one for the 8th SOS. Since Desert One
squadron tasking had steadily increased, with
new joint requirements added to the squadron’s
traditional exercise schedule. Throughout 1981
the operations tempo had been so intense that
the squadron could not support all requests. The
Special Mission Plans Division (DOS) continued
to plan and coordinate 1st SOW support for special
tasking. The 1st SOW, and in particular the
8th SOS, worked with the US Army’s Task Force
160 (TF-160) of the 101st Aviation Group and the
75th Ranger Regiment. The wing also supported
US Navy SEALs and worked with specifically
identified SAC, MAC, and Aerospace Rescue and
Recovery Service (ARRS) units that were qualified
in certain special operations capabilities.
From 8 to 17 January, one MC-130E deployed to
Gray AAF, Fort Lewis, Washington, for Exercise
Gossamer Wings. Both low-level operations and
HALO drops were accomplished during the exercise.
The primary thrust of the deployment was
to obtain load training for the Combat Talon
crews and for the ranger battalion stationed at
Fort Lewis. The exercise identified US Army
loading procedures that were not compatible with
those of the USAF. Because of the exercise,
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