An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Spirit 03 remembered

  • Published
  • Air Force Special Operations Command
Today we remember the 16th Special Operations Squadron AC-130H Spectre gunship, call-sign Spirit 03, and its crew of fourteen that was shot down during the Battle of Khafji while supporting U.S. Marines who were under fire. This event was the largest single loss by any Air Force unit during Operation Desert Storm.

We will never forget this mission and the sacrifice that they made.

The crewmembers of Spirit 03, killed in action Jan. 31, 1991:

Maj. Paul Weaver
Capt. Thomas Bland
Capt. Arthur Galvan
Capt. William Grimm
Capt. Dixon Walters
Senior Master Sgt. Paul Buege
Senior Master Sgt. Jim May
Tech. Sgt. Robert Hodges
Tech. Sgt. John Oelschlager
Staff Sgt. John Blessinger
Staff Sgt. Tim Harrison
Staff Sgt. Damon Kanuha
Staff Sgt. Mark Schmauss
Sergeant Barry Clark