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Airmen watch the arrival of AC-130J.
Air Force photo |
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Hundreds turned out Wednesday for the arrival of the Air Force Special Operations Command’s new AC-130J "Ghostrider" gunship. The plane, a heavily modified Lockheed Martin C-130, combines the firepower capabilities of the AC-130W and AC-130U gunships. It spent the last few months at nearby Eglin Air Force Base where it went through an array of tests. Four pilots assigned to the new 2nd Detachment of the 1st Special Operations Group will put the aircraft through operational testing. A second Ghostrider is currently undergoing testing at Eglin. (Sources:
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs,
Northwest Florida Daily News, 07/29/15) The gunships are notable for their ability to circle a target and fire down with pinpoint accuracy.
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