awesome special forces gunships in action

“The future is going to be different than what we have experienced for the last 20 years, but one thing I’m certain of is this airplane will be relevant to whatever the future operating environment brings, so thank you all for delivering such a magnificent capability to today’s warfighters,” he said.Ĭapt. “The airplane and its predecessors have exceeded all our expectations and kept more Americans alive than any other airplane on the battlefield,” Slife said. He also spoke about seeing the first J model go into combat in the summer of 2019 while serving as the AFSOC commander. “In the fall of 2009, the secretary of defense decided to recapitalize with C-130Js to build the platforms we see behind us today,” Slife said. Slife, working at the Pentagon for the Office of Secretary of Defense, began the messaging and formative language that initiated the program that he’s seeing come full circle. Slife recalled that it had been only a few years back when then Col.

Jim Slife, AFSOC commander, represented the command at the ceremony and spoke about his experience with acquiring and receiving the AC-130J.

“Sluggo’s impacts on Whiskey and Ghostrider have been nothing short of outstanding and we are honored to have him in attendance today.”ĭownload Hi-Res Lt. Stan ‘Sluggo’ Siefke who was instrumental in the developments of the precision strike package prior to cutting first metal on the MC-130W,” said Allen. “Aircraft #31 is no different and is being named in honor of Mr. He also explained how pilots would stencil names or call signs on their aircraft, providing a sense of connection and further a feeling of pride for themselves and the crew that kept the airplane flying. Joe Allen, Gunship Program manager and narrator for the event, briefly discussed the history of nose art and how it became a common way of depicting the name of an airplane.

2, the final AC-130J was delivered to the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.ĭuring the AC-130J Ghostrider dedication and delivery ceremony, Lt. Air Force Special Operations Command received its 31st and final AC-130J Ghostrider, completing the command’s transition from the legacy AC-130W, AC-130U and AC-130H fleets.įollowing a commemoration ceremony at the Lockheed Martin Gunship Modification Facility in Crestview Nov.

Awesome special forces gunships in action