AC-130U Spooky passes torch to the AC-130J Ghostrider

AC-130U Spooky passes torch to the AC-130J Ghostrider

4th Special Operations Squadron receives first AC-130J Ghostrider

By Staff Sgt. Marleah Cabano

Note: the first AC-130J Ghostrider took to the skies for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31., 2014. The gunship flew its first combat mission in June in Afghanistan

The 4th Special Operations Squadron is now home to Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest aircraft – the Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.

Similar to the Block 20 AC-130Js flown by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, the Block 30 upgrade marks a major improvement in software and avionics technology over the current fleet of Block 20s.

“The Block 30 AC-130J is now our most lethal aircraft in AFSOC’s inventory,” said Maj. Brandon Hughes, chief of AC-130J requirements with headquarters AFSOC.

The new 4th SOS gunship is equipped with the Precision Strike Package, which includes a mission management console, a robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, a precision-guided munitions delivery capability, as well as trainable 30 mm and 105 mm weapons onboard. Additional improvements include updated crew seats with added safety features and a relocation of equipment into more optimal locations.

The 4th SOS currently operates the AC-130U Spooky and has held the title as the most deployed squadron in the U.S. Air Force since 9/11.

“The men and women of the 4th SOS have been executing the close air support and air interdiction mission with one of the most feared gunships, the AC-130U, for 20 years,” said Col. Michael Conley, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. “These updated capabilities provide them the most modernized gunship to date.”

The Block 30 AC-130J will fulfill the same mission sets as the Spooky; however, it will cost approximately 1/3 to operate per flying hour due to the upgraded turboprop engines.

“The technology in this 5th generation gunship will ensure our combat relevance in the skies above today’s battlefields and the battlefields of the future,” Conley said.

The Ghostrider reached initial operational capability in 2017, and the first Block 30 AC-130J will remain in a testing status for approximately one year before it becomes operationally deployable.

“The 4th SOS will start receiving J-qualified crewmembers in the coming months,” said Lt. Col. Pete Ventres, commander of the 4th SOS. “The vast majority of U-model aircrews and maintainers will retrain into the AC-J to ensure we retain already-developed talent.”

For now, Air Commandos with the 4th SOS will continue to operate the Spooky until it joins the AC-130H Spectres in retirement by the end of 2020.

“This is a significant milestone in our heritage and the gunship nation,” Ventres said. “The AC-130J represents a leap into the future without abandoning the lessons of the past.”

While technology continues to advance, the “Mighty 4th” will keep their sights set on their main mission.

“The protection of special operations forces on the ground remains paramount,” Ventres said. “The “C” in CAS stands for “Close,” and when we’re needed, that’s where you’ll find us.”

Main Video The AC-130U Spooky gunships with the 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, have been almost constantly deployed since 2001 and are being replaced by the AC-130J Ghostrider, the most lethal and innovative gunship in the world. Video by Staff Sgt. Marleah Cabano

The first AC-130 to retire was “‘Bad Omen’. The gunship flew more than 2,300 sorties with approximately 5,600 landings and accumulated more than 10,000 hours,” said Karl Cirulis, 4th Special Operations Squadron pilot. “‘Bad Omen’ was last deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, in December 2013 where it accumulated approximately 600 combat hours and flew more than 100 sorties.”

Tail number 0163 had one of its most successful sorties over Afghanistan July 21, 2011. The aircraft arrived on station to support a task force when the task force started taking fire from all sides.

“The gunship began to take direct action and — true to ‘U’ model form, the crew performed eight separate engagements using infrared and TV dual-target attacks,” said Cirulis. “It fired 146 40mm cannon rounds and 41 105mm rounds to end the engagement.”

Mission
The AC-130U “Spooky” gunships’ primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defense. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity and include strike coordination, reconnaissance, and armed overwatch mission sets. 

Features 
This heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation, and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended loiter periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a multispectral television sensors, high definition infrared sensors, and radar. These sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets anytime, anywhere. 

The AC-130U employs synthetic aperture strike radar for long-range and adverse weather target detection and identification. The AC-130’s navigational devices include inertial navigation systems and global positioning systems. The AC-130U’s capability to track and engage two targets simultaneously with different levels of ordnance is an invaluable asset to Special Operations Forces on the ground.  

Background 
The Spooky is the third generation of C-130 gunships. All gunships evolved from the first operational gunship, the AC-47, to the AC-119, and then the AC-130A which was the basis for the modern C-130 gunship.  The AC-130H “Spectre” gunships were fielded in 1972 and retired in 2015. 

 The AC-130 gunship has a combat history dating to Vietnam. Gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions. During Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, AC-130s suppressed enemy air defense systems and attacked ground forces enabling the successful assault of the Point Salines Airfield via airdrop and air land of friendly forces. The AC-130 aircrew earned the Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner Award for the mission. 

AC-130s also had a primary role during Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989 when they destroyed Panamanian Defense Force Headquarters and numerous command and control facilities. Aircrews earned the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year and the Tunner Award for their efforts. 

During Operation Desert Storm, AC-130s provided close air support and force protection (air base defense) for ground forces. Gunships were also used during operations Continue Hope and United Shield in Somalia, providing close air support for United Nations ground forces. Gunships also played a pivotal role in supporting the NATO mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The AC-130H provided air interdiction against key targets in the Sarajevo area. 

In 1997, gunships were diverted from Italy to provide combat air support for U.S. and allied ground troops during the evacuation of American noncombatants in Albania and Liberia. AC-130s were also part of the buildup of U.S. forces in 1998 to convince Iraq to comply with U.N. weapons inspections. More recently, AC-130U gunships have supported Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and have been employed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support. Finally, AFSOC gunships have also played a pivotal role in the recent uprisings in the Middle East. Gunships provide armed reconnaissance, interdiction and direct support of ground troops engaged with enemy forces. 

General characteristics 
Primary function: close air support, air interdiction and force protection 
Builder: Lockheed/Boeing Corp. 
Power plant: four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines 
Thrust: 4,300 shaft horsepower each engine 
Wingspan: 132 feet 7 inches (40.4 meters) 
Length: 97 feet 9 inches (29.8 meters) 
Height: 38 feet 6 inches (11.7 meters) 
Speed: 300 mph (Mach .4) (at sea level) 
Range: approximately 1,300 nautical miles; limited by crew duty day with air refueling. 
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,576 meters) 
Maximum takeoff weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms) 
Armament: 40mm, 105mm cannons and 25mm Gatling gun. 
Crew: AC-130U – pilot, co-pilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer (five officers) and flight engineer, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster, and four aerial gunners (eight enlisted) 
Deployment date:  1995 
Unit cost:  $210 million
Inventory: active duty, 17; reserve, 0; ANG, 0