Spirit 03 – Downed AC-130H During Desert Storm

[rangerrebew]

Spirit 03 – Downed AC-130H During Desert Storm

February 2, 2021 John Friberg History 0
Spirit 03 Crew

Thirty years ago, on January 31, 1991, an AC-130H Spectre gunship went to the aid of U.S. Marines in contact with the enemy during Desert Storm. The aircraft and its crew of fourteen was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile during the Battle of Khafji, Saudi Arabia.

Spirit 03 was one of three Spectre gunships that were providing air support at the battle of Khafji. The first two aircraft – Spirit 01 and Spirit 02 – had completed their missions and were returning to base. Spirit 03 was the remaining gunship over the target area as the morning sky was lighting up with the approach of dawn. A man-portable surface-to-air missile struck the aircraft and the aircraft crashed into the Persian Gulf. The loss of Spirit 03 constituted 10% of the AC-130H fleet.

Operation Desert Shield. In August of 1990 Iraq invaded and occupied neighboring Kuwait. The U.S. and other nations formed an alliance and rushed troops, aircraft, and navy vessels to the Arabian peninsular and the Persian Gulf region. The intent was to defend Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations from a possible Iraqi attack. In addition, the military buildup was in anticipation of military action to liberate Kuwait.

https://sof.news/history/spirit-03-downed-ac-130h-during-desert-storm/

[sneakypete]

The AC-130 are regular C-130 Cargo and personnel aircraft with propellers. They are truly the aerial workhorse of the US Military,and about as reliable as any aircraft that has ever flown. When modified to become gun ships,they go by the name of "Spooky Gun Ships".

They are modified so 30 caliber electrically operated "gatling guns" fire out of holes cut in the sides of the aircraft. I have heard that some even fire quad 50's. I know for a fact that on at least some of them the crew could lower the tailgate,and fire 105mm cannons out the rear of them.

When you  look up at one circling around over you and laying down a field of fire,at times it looks like they might be moving sideways from all the recoil.

They flat lay down the damn-damn when they show up. Awesome firepower beyond belief.

Yeah,you can consider me to be a huge fan of them. Thank you,USAF!