Final AC-130H Retired to AMARG

摘要

US Air Force Special Operations Command's 27th Special Operations Wing has bid farewell to the last AC-130H Spectre Ⅱ gunship. The aircraft, 69-6569 Excalibur, departed from Cannon AFB, New Mexico on May 27 following a retirement ceremony the previous day. It was flown to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, for storage. The type was operated at Cannon by the 27th SOW's 16th Special Operations Squadron 'Spectre! The retirement of Excalibur ends 46 years of service by the type. In total, six AC-130Hs have been placed in storage at AMARG; one is preserved at Cannon and another at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Capt Aaron Magger, 16th SOS navigator, said: "Over the last 12 years, the 16th SOS has flown over 6,500 combat sorties, 26,000 combat hours and has been responsible for over 4,600 enemies killed in action, along with over 5,200 enemy captures. As the AC-130H chapter of gunship evolution comes to a close, the AC-130H is the single deadliest aircraft and flying squadron in the war on terrorism."