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freshwest

(53,661 posts)
53. Ah. Checked on this in another thread on aircraft. My BNL was a gunner in the Vietnam War:
Sat Oct 18, 2014, 07:31 PM
Oct 2014

I looked up active aircraft in Wikipedia. The version of Spooky he flew is now gone, but replaced with another called Spooky:

Lockheed AC-130 Spectre / Spooky / Ghostrider / Stinger II



Picture says 'AC-130H Spectre jettisons flares' but why it would, IDK.

The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed ground-attack aircraft variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support.[1] The AC-130A Gunship II superseded the AC-47 Gunship I during the Vietnam War.

The gunship's sole user is the United States Air Force, which uses AC-130H Spectre, AC-130U Spooky, AC-130J Ghostrider, and AC-130W Stinger II variants for close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Close air support roles include supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and flying urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against planned targets and targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include defending air bases and other facilities. AC-130Us are based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, while AC-130Hs and AC-130Ws are based at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.[3] The AC-130s deploy to bases worldwide in support of operations. The gunship squadrons are part of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a component of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).[4]

This sounds very much like my BNL was doing. Although he didn't volunteer to be weapons expert. Testing when he joined the Air Force (he knew he'd be drafted and wanted a choice) showed he'd be good with computers. But they didn't need that, so he was trained on weapons instead. This is how these are used for today:

All of the weaponry aboard is mounted to fire from the left (port) side of the non-pressurised aircraft. During an attack the gunship performs a pylon turn, flying in a large circle around the target, allowing it to fire at it far longer than a conventional attack aircraft. The AC-130H Spectre was armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one Bofors 40mm autocannon, and one 105 mm M102 cannon, although after 1994 the 20 mm cannons were removed for most missions. The upgraded AC-130U "Spooky" has a single 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer in place of the Spectre's twin 20 mm cannons, an improved fire control system, and increased ammunition capacity. New AC-130J gunships based on MC-130J Combat Shadow II special operations tankers were planned as of 2012[update]. The AC-130W is armed with one 30 mm Bushmaster cannon, AGM-176 Griffin missiles, and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs.[5]

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lockheed_AC-130&printable=yes

That was in a thread with cstanleytech where GGJohn and I talked but you and I didn't talk there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014911243


and what if the park them among civilians? cali Sep 2014 #1
When they get on the move to another town, they will be concentrated ladjf Sep 2014 #4
So we sneak some guys in to mark their parking lots with "ISIS ONLY" parking signs Sopkoviak Sep 2014 #7
We've got stationary satellites and UAV's all over the place. ladjf Sep 2014 #8
We could set up a fake "ISIS Valet Parking" sign and just drive off with the trucks when they give KurtNYC Sep 2014 #38
where's my A-10 guy? that's what you need to strafe moving targets on the ground Baclava Sep 2014 #2
I've been suggesting the A10's for weeks. They are perfect for this kind of situation. nt ladjf Sep 2014 #5
I've heard that the air force has several hundred of them in inventory and ladjf Sep 2014 #9
THX - I just read they are sending in A-10's - ANG headed to Iraq Baclava Sep 2014 #13
That's good news. The A10's are old but they could handle this task. ladjf Sep 2014 #15
ONE A-10 would take out a whole column of Toyotas Baclava Sep 2014 #17
Please explain the large event in the second picture? I see ground fires, flares, and a what? freshwest Oct 2014 #51
It's tracer fire from the gatling guns aboard a 130 gunship Baclava Oct 2014 #52
Ah. Checked on this in another thread on aircraft. My BNL was a gunner in the Vietnam War: freshwest Oct 2014 #53
that is one bad ass madokie Sep 2014 #36
Here's my strategy in a nutshell customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #3
You may be right. But, we are in it now. Might as well be efficient about it. nt ladjf Sep 2014 #6
Since we're not going to bomb them into the Stone Age customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #16
North Koreans? ieoeja Sep 2014 #18
Yes, there are all kinds customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #21
We didn't win Vietnam, but I think it's a case where nobody won mythology Sep 2014 #28
You don't think the Viet Cong won? customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #30
The North won a political (not military) victory, but the VC lost pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #32
I suppose that technically, you're right customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #44
It was nearly 60,000, and I knew more than 60 of them pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #45
......damn..... panader0 Sep 2014 #49
The Viet Cong were nearly wiped out during the Tet Offensive. ieoeja Sep 2014 #48
Body counts are not a measure of victory Scootaloo Sep 2014 #33
VN vets have almost a kneejerk reaction to statements that the VC or NVA 'won' the war pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #35
I was thinking they could send over Turbineguy Sep 2014 #10
The Tea Baggers aren't brave enough to take on some genuine ladjf Sep 2014 #14
there's something sickening about your op cali Sep 2014 #11
I offered an honest opinion about a strategy that I thought would help. ladjf Sep 2014 #22
As for precautions when necessary to move... pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #23
So, do you advocate that we just continue blowing up buildings to hurt ISIS? ladjf Sep 2014 #26
You asked a question; I thought I was being helpful by offering an answer pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #29
Cali posted "... odds are they've taken some precautions" ladjf Sep 2014 #37
What "dilemma"? pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #46
Then they find another way or acquire more pickup trucks JonLP24 Sep 2014 #12
The Viet Cong were able to move undetected in the dense jungles. Irag and most of Syria is flat ladjf Sep 2014 #24
I think most of them are up in Northern Iraq JonLP24 Sep 2014 #25
I wasn't referring to your comments as being negative, only a few others. nt ladjf Sep 2014 #27
ISIS, meet Ebola. Ebola, meet ISIS. Problem solved. JaneyVee Sep 2014 #19
I've seen some stupid shit posted on DU, but I think this might be the winner of that competition Scootaloo Sep 2014 #34
Thank you. Mission accomplished. JaneyVee Sep 2014 #42
BWAH! bigwillq Sep 2014 #47
Mine is to grab a steaming, hot cup of get the fuck out before we make TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #20
That as well seems like as good idea as any JonLP24 Sep 2014 #31
See Africa. See dictators propped up. Apparently, it isn't that hard as we ignore such always. TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #43
the vehicle that is preferred in ME ground battles is the Toyota Hilux KurtNYC Sep 2014 #39
It's cavalry warfare except that trucks are used rather than horses. ladjf Sep 2014 #40
I think you have ISIS confused with the border militia. randome Sep 2014 #41
As an update to my original OP, ladjf Sep 2014 #50
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Here is my ISIS strategy ...»Reply #53