AC-130 How It Aided In Military Missions Through the Years

Introduction The AC-130 is a huge asset to the military because of the many missions it can conduct and the many places it preforms at. The AC-130 is extremely expensive, but is worth every penny because of what is can do. The original AC-130 was used in 1967 and has been modified into different AC-130s over the years that are still used present day. As of July, 2010 there are eight AC-130H’s and sixteen AC-130U’s that are still in active duty service. The AC-130s usually loiter above combat zones or in inclement weather, using advanced targeting and fire control systems to assist ground troops in need. The AC-130s have an innumerable amount of uses but just a few include perimeter and point defense, escort, extraction zone support, and combat search and rescue. Most of these uses are types of close air support. The AC-130s usually loiter above combat zones or in inclement weather, using advanced targeting and fire control systems to assist ground troops in need. The AC-130s have an innumerable amount of uses but just a few include perimeter and point defense, escort, extraction zone support, and combat search and rescue. Most of these uses are types of close air support.

AC-130 First Deployment The earliest version of the AC-130 was first deployed in 1967 during the Vietnam war. It provided close air support for ground troops and it also assisted the defense of desert air bases.

AC-130 In Panama The AC-130 had a primary role during Operation Just Cause in Panama by destroying Panamanian Defense Force Headquarters in 1989 and It also destroyed numerous command and control facilities by surgical employment of ordnance in an urban environment.

Role of AC-130 In 1991 In 1991 the AC-130s played a major role during the Gulf War which consisted of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The Spectres provided air base defense, close air support for ground forces, and battlefield interdiction. The primary interdiction targets were early warning/ ground control intercept sites along the southern border of Iraq.

AC-130 Provides Support in Somalia During the years 1992 and 1993, the AC-130s were used during Operation Continue Hope and United Shield in Somalia by providing close air support for United Nations ground forces. While in Somalia, the AC-130 was also used to level the house of Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid.

AC-130s Along With the NATO Forces From 1992 to 2004 the AC-130 gunships played a pivotal role during numerous operations in support of the NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They provided air interdiction against key targets in the Sarajevo area.

AC-130 During The United States uses the AC-130 gunships during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan which started in 2001 and still goes on today. From 2003 to 2010 the gunships where used in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2007 U.S. Special Operations forces used the AC-130 in attacks on suspected al-Qaeda militants in Somalia.

AC-130s Used in Present Day In March 2011, the US Air Force deployed two AC- 130U gunships to take part in Operation Odyssey Dawn, which was the military intervention in Libya, which eventually came under NATO as Operation Unified Protector.

Main Idea of this Presentation The main idea that I am trying to share with you is that the AC-130 gunships are a great asset to the U.S. Air Force and are worth the $190 million used to make each one because of the many lives it saves and has saved with their actions.

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Video of AC-130 In Action

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