An AC-130 gunship refueled and rearmed on a highway in Arkansas
By Miguel Ortiz
Posted on Aug 7, 2024 12:28 PM PDT
Tessa Robinson
On August 4, 2024, an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship landed on Highway 63 in Bono, Arkansas. On this public highway, the gunship refueled and rearmed before taking back off. This historic first, conducted by Air Force Special Operations Command, was part of Emerald Warrior Field Training Exercise II.
The fixed-wing gunship concept dates back to the AC-47 Spooky gunship used to provide close air support to ground forces in Vietnam. Since then, the mission has been performed by the AC-119G Shadow and AC-119K Stinger variants before being taken on by the AC-130. The A, E, and H variants of the AC-130 received the Spectre designation. The Spectre gunship was made famous during the Global War on Terror through its depiction in movies and video games. In 2015, the last Spectre gunship was retired with the AC-130U Spooky following five years later. Today, the AC-130J Ghostrider is the most modern platform in the long line of fixed-wing gunships.
The AC-130J is based on Air Forces Special Operations Command’s MC-130J. Unlike previous C-130s, the MC-130J is the first built specifically for special operations. Additionally, previous AC-130s were famously armed with a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon, and a 105mm howitzer. While these guns were employed with great precision by highly-skilled aircrews, the Precision Strike Package of the AC-130J provides a wider array of more precise armament.
https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/an-ac-130-gunship-refueled-and-rearmed-on-a-highway-in-arkansas/
