In the Cold War during events like Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, the gunships suppressed enemy air-defense systems and attacked ground forces that helped provide mission success on the assault of Point Salines Airfield. During that war, it was responsible for the destruction of more than 10,000 trucks and for saving many lives by providing close air support missions. The AC-130 gunship performed some of its first flights under combat conditions in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The AC-130 incorporates port side-firing weapons systems and utilizes sophisticated fire control, navigation, and sensor systems to deliver its firepower precisely at night and in adverse weather conditions. ![]() The AC-130 is a long endurance ground attack aircraft that is a heavily armed variant of the C-130 Hercules. Its primary mission is to provide close air support (CAS) for ground troops and special operations units like those operating below them that are chasing down a lead on a high-priority target. Loaded for bear, the 13-man aircrew awaits the call to drop altitude and quickly get on station above the door kickers they are supporting on the ground. ![]() Onboard, a team of professionals prepares themselves for their mission if they get the call that they are needed below. At 10,000 feet above the dark landscape below, the aircraft loiters just outside of the battlefield, cutting large circles in the sky. In the dead of the night, a cargo aircraft pops out of a cloud.
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