Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Visalia Crash Sends Car Into Marie Callender’s After Driver Runs Red Light

40 minutes ago

Gifford Fire Expands to 89,933 Acres in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties

2 hours ago

S&P 500 and Nasdaq Lifted by Earnings, Fed Hopes

3 hours ago

Israeli Military Chief Opposes Gaza War Expansion, Raising Pressure on Netanyahu

3 hours ago

Israel Considers Full Gaza Takeover as More Die of Hunger

1 day ago

US to Initially Impose ‘Small Tariff’ on Pharma Imports, Trump Says

1 day ago

Cruz Criticizes Hochul for Wearing Headscarf at Slain Officer’s Funeral

1 day ago

Trump Says Banks Discriminate Against His Supporters While White House Prepares Order

1 day ago
Giant Plane That Led POW Rescue Mission Coming to Castle Air Museum
Randy-Reed-Image
By Randy Reed, Operations Manager
Published 6 years ago on
October 14, 2019

Share

A military plane that played a pivotal role in a daring Vietnam War mission will make Castle Air Museum in Atwater its new home.
Aircraft 0212, a Lockheed MC-130P outfitted for special operations, helped guide the daring 1970 Son Tay Raid to rescue prisoners of war being held captive in North Vietnam.


Listen to this article:
 


The hulking turboprop Combat Shadow aircraft is being retired after a 50-year career with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. The plane is currently assigned to the Air Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View.
It will become part of Castle Air Museum’s permanent collection following a special ceremony Oct. 26.

Led Rescue Team into North Vietnam

U.S. Special Forces assigned to the Son Tay mission in 1970.  (U.S. Air Force photo)
The POW rescue mission, code-named Operation Kingpin, was launched from Thailand and South Vietnam on the night of Nov. 20, 1070.  The MC-130 was one of two guide planes that led a force of Sikorsky Jolly Green Giant combat helicopters, A-1 Skyraider attack planes, and 56 ground assault troops into hostile North Vietnam territory.
It is considered by some experts as a model for special operations missions conducted by the US military.
The rescuers’ objective was the Son Tay prison camp where up to 70 captured Americans were believed to be held. The airspace around the compound, just 23 miles from Hanoi, was considered to be among the most heavily defended in the world at the time.
Aircraft 0212 was designed for clandestine missions and was specially equipped for low-level, night-time navigation.

Reached POW Compound Undetected

The raiders were successful in reaching their target undetected and the resulting assault on Son Tay was executed largely as planned. However, once the rescuers were on the ground, they discovered all of the POWs were gone.
Even so, Operation Kingpin was considered a “tactical” success. Word of the raid soon spread to the nearly 500 POWs held across North Vietnam, which boosted their morale. The late Sen. John McCain, a POW at the time, is reported to have described his “elation” at hearing of the attempted rescue.
The large and complex rescue attempt resulted in no American loss of life and just two minor injuries to mission personnel, despite active engagement with enemy forces.

Joins Museum’s Growing Military Collection

After its active duty service, the MC-130 joined the Air Guard wing where it performed rescue and recovery missions. According to the air wing’s website, its National Guard members and aircraft have assisted with saving more than 1,000 lives over the past quarter-century.
The Combat Shadow will now join more than 70 vintage military aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum. Castle’s collection includes restored planes dating to WWII and is described as the largest aviation museum between Southern California and the state of Washington.
The 25-acre museum is located on the site of the former Castle Air Force Base and opened to the public in 1981.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Five US Soldiers Shot at Georgia Base, Shooter in Custody

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Al’zillion Hamilton Ready to Lead Defense in 2025

DON'T MISS

Clovis Girls Soccer Team Wins National Title After Years of Grit, Heart, and Sacrifice

DON'T MISS

Visalia Crash Sends Car Into Marie Callender’s After Driver Runs Red Light

DON'T MISS

Wildfire Burns Near Yosemite Lakes in Madera County, Containment at 20%

DON'T MISS

VP Vance to Host Dinner to Discuss Jeffrey Epstein Fallout

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Rides to the Rescue of Laton Schools as COVID Funds Run Out

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Philip James Medlock

DON'T MISS

Gifford Fire Expands to 89,933 Acres in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties

DON'T MISS

TLC to Perform at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in November

UP NEXT

Clovis Girls Soccer Team Wins National Title After Years of Grit, Heart, and Sacrifice

UP NEXT

Visalia Crash Sends Car Into Marie Callender’s After Driver Runs Red Light

UP NEXT

Wildfire Burns Near Yosemite Lakes in Madera County, Containment at 20%

UP NEXT

Fresno County Rides to the Rescue of Laton Schools as COVID Funds Run Out

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Philip James Medlock

UP NEXT

Gifford Fire Expands to 89,933 Acres in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties

UP NEXT

TLC to Perform at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in November

UP NEXT

Central Valley Brewers Face Off in West Coast IPA Throwdown in Clovis

UP NEXT

Former Fresno City Attorney Returns to Serve as County Counsel

UP NEXT

‘Yes’ to Outreach, ‘No’ to Condoms. Fresno Supervisors Rein in County Holidays

Visalia Crash Sends Car Into Marie Callender’s After Driver Runs Red Light

40 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns Near Yosemite Lakes in Madera County, Containment at 20%

53 minutes ago

VP Vance to Host Dinner to Discuss Jeffrey Epstein Fallout

1 hour ago

Fresno County Rides to the Rescue of Laton Schools as COVID Funds Run Out

1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Philip James Medlock

1 hour ago

Gifford Fire Expands to 89,933 Acres in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties

2 hours ago

TLC to Perform at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in November

2 hours ago

Israeli Settlers Attacked Gaza-Bound Aid Convoy, Jordan Says

2 hours ago

S&P 500 and Nasdaq Lifted by Earnings, Fed Hopes

3 hours ago

Israeli Military Chief Opposes Gaza War Expansion, Raising Pressure on Netanyahu

3 hours ago

Five US Soldiers Shot at Georgia Base, Shooter in Custody

Five U.S. soldiers were shot at the Fort Stewart base in the state of Georgia on Wednesday, and the suspected shooter is in custody, Army of...

2 minutes ago

Breaking News from Reuters
2 minutes ago

Five US Soldiers Shot at Georgia Base, Shooter in Custody

Al’Zillion Hamilton Fresno State Bulldog Football
35 minutes ago

Fresno State’s Al’zillion Hamilton Ready to Lead Defense in 2025

After nearly a decade together, Clovis Odyssey’s under-14 girls soccer team captured a national championship on Thursday, July 24, 2025, overcoming injury, heartbreak, and pressure. (Special to GV Wire)
39 minutes ago

Clovis Girls Soccer Team Wins National Title After Years of Grit, Heart, and Sacrifice

A driver ran a red light in Visalia on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, morning, causing a crash that sent another vehicle into a Marie Callender’s restaurant, police said. (Visalia PD)
40 minutes ago

Visalia Crash Sends Car Into Marie Callender’s After Driver Runs Red Light

The Jewel Fire near Yosemite Lakes has burned 15 acres and is 20% contained, with no injuries or structures threatened, CalFire said Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (CalFire)
53 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns Near Yosemite Lakes in Madera County, Containment at 20%

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance take part in ceremonies in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., May 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

VP Vance to Host Dinner to Discuss Jeffrey Epstein Fallout

1 hour ago

Fresno County Rides to the Rescue of Laton Schools as COVID Funds Run Out

Philip James Medlock is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for August 6, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Philip James Medlock

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend