Watch: AC-130J gunship pummels Navy vessel during Rim of the Pacific
By Riley Ceder
Aug 5, 2024, 02:39 PM
An AC-130J gunship practiced live-fire on a retired U.S. Navy ship during SINKEX 2024. (Todd R. McQueen)
A U.S. Air Force AC-130J gunship took part in battering and sinking a retired U.S. Navy vessel during this summer’s 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise, according to explosive footage released by the Air Force.
A New Mexico-based 27th Special Operations Wing crew manning the AC-130J bludgeoned the Austin-class amphibious transport dock Dubuque with cannon fire from the air as part of a live-fire sinking exercise last month.
The former amphibious assault ship Tarawa was also sent to the ocean floor as part of the exercise. Footage of the Tarawa’s final moments above the ocean’s surface has yet to be released.
This year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, involved 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. It is the largest international maritime exercise and allows militaries the opportunity to test high-powered weapons in real-world scenarios.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2024/08/05/watch-ac-130j-gunship-pummels-navy-vessel-during-rim-of-the-pacific/
