AC-130U is operated by the 4th Special Operations Squadron, controlled by 13 crew members, and fly as high as 30,000 feet. The two types were AC-130H(Spectre) and AC-130U(Spooky II). The AC-130 Spectre Gunships have two original variants. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Evelyn Chavez) Frank Lauria hands a 105 mm cannon round to an aerial gunner inside a 16th Special Operations Squadron AC-130H Spectre gunship while training on the combat aircraft parking area at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. These AC-130’s are a hard sight to miss in the air. This battle plan is a scary sight, the wingspan is around 132 feet and stretches 97 inches in length. Some other key roles they play are armed reconnaissance, pre-planned air to land strikes, and being a defense patrol in the air for other bases. Jack Braden).īesides being close to land in air support, the AC-130 Spectre Gunship has many other important roles within the military.

An AC-130 Spectre from the 16th Special Operations Squadron flies a training mission Aug. The main reason for the AC-130 is to gather close air support for other troops. AC stands for attack cargo, which is one of the purposes of this combat aircraft.

This fighter plane that is manufactured by Lockheed and Boeing is operated by the United States Air Force Special Operations. The history of the AC-130’s date back as late as Vietnam/Laos and have become a huge part of our combat. The AC-130 Spectre Gunship, AKA Hell in the Sky, is known to be the US Military’s ultimate combat aircraft.

Air force gunship