141015-F-TJ158-090

A 105mm round is loaded during a training flight on an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, Oct. 15, 2014. The Spooky is equipped with a 105mm and 40mm cannon and a 25mm Gatling gun. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)

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141015-F-TJ158-314

Staff Sgt. Blake Owens, 4th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner, prepares to reload a 105mm cannon onboard an AC-130U Spooky Gunship during a training flight, Oct. 15, 2014. The AC-130U is the latest in a long line of side-firing gunships which began in the early 1960s with the AC-47D Spooky. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)

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141015-F-TJ158-449

Staff Sgt. Blake Owens, 4th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner, watches as a 105mm cannon is fired during a training mission on board an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, Oct. 15, 2014. The prototype AC-130U made its first flight on Dec. 20, 1990. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)

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141015-F-TJ158-368

A 4th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner sits near the rear observation window of an AC-130U Spooky Gunship during a training flight, Oct. 15, 2014. The Spooky practiced a firing mission in preparation for an upcoming visit of the Honorable Deborah James, Secretary of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)

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141016-F-TJ158-558

Aerial gunners from the 4th Special Operations Squadron assist each other in racking the empty 105mm shells after a training mission on board an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, Oct. 15, 2014. The crew participated in a one-minute drill, which consisted of firing off nine rounds in one minute. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)

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4th SOS Airmen shine at night

Published Oct. 20, 2014
By Senior Airman Christopher Callaway
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The AC-130U is the latest in a long line of side-firing gunships which began in the early 1960s with the AC-47D Spooky. It is equipped with a 105mm and 40mm cannon and a 25mm Gatling gun.

141015-F-TJ158-090

141015-F-TJ158-314

141015-F-TJ158-449

141015-F-TJ158-368

141016-F-TJ158-558