The aircraft, whose call sign is ‘King 76’, was named the ‘Spirit of Long Island’ during the ceremony. Wing Commander Colonel Michael Bank stressed the importance of the occasion, explaining that it is the first time in the 72-year history of the 106th Wing that it has received brand new aircraft straight from the factory.

The 106th Wing, which also flies the HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopter, will utilise the Combat King to conduct search and rescue missions domestically and in combat environments. And with the arrival of the new aircraft, the 106th will be able to increase its capabilities over the ageing HC-130P/Ns currently assigned to it.

The new aircraft feature improved navigation, threat detection and countermeasures and greater range than the older aircraft they are replacing. These variants of the C-130 are the only fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the Air Force.

“The history of the 102nd is rooted with the pioneers of aviation, the birth of airpower and the nucleus of the Air National Guard,” Colonel Bank said of the squadron, which is the oldest unit in the Air National Guard. And indeed, since taking on the role of rescue wing in 1975, the 106th has provided support for space shuttle launches, conducted the longest over-water rescue mission in an HH-60, deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and been involved in numerous other operations over land and sea.

“We are proud and grateful that we can accept it and employ it,” Colonel Bank concluded.