As a result the Air Force Special … U.S. Air Force The gunships provide close-air support for ground troops in heated battles and fly convoy escort missions … Some careers in the Air Force will have different groupings of AFSCs, these are called Special Duty Assignment – a job outside your specialty (but related in this case). A variety of special operations aircraft are stationed at Cannon, including the AC-130W Stinger II, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, CV-22 Osprey and several versions of light and medium transport aviation aircraft. The AC-130W is assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, with all twelve becoming operational in 2010. Cannon fire from an AC-130 in 1988. The door gunner of a helicopter (HH-60) or the AC-130 Gunship has responsibilities and training that include inspection, maintenance, testing, as well as operating some of the fastest shooting weapons in the military. (U.S. Air Force) The Ghostrider’s electronic equipment includes a laser range finder, low-light TV camera, crew night-vision capability, night-vision radar and a moving-target indicator. The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft.It carries a wide array of ground attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems.Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Other roles include air interdiction (pre-planned air-to-ground strikes), armed reconnaissance and force protection (flying defensive patrols over friendly forces / bases). Before the turn of the decade it became clear that the aging AC-130 fleet was in low supply and exceedingly high demand. AC-130 Special Mission Aviators. The AC-130 is flown by USAF Special Operations, mostly in the close air support role. I averaged about 2-4 hours of studying most nights; Making quizlets and flash cards will be a huge help. BSMA (Basic Special Missions Aviation undergrad/3-lvl) - 8-9 week course; full on academic, classroom-style, fire hose of information. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals. HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Almost 470 flight engineers, aerial gunners and loadmasters who fly Air Force Special Operations Command's CV-22, AC-130 and Non-Standard Aviation aircraft are transitioning to one Air Force specialty code, 1A9X1 Special Mission Aviation starting in November. 02 Jul 2014 | Posted by Flanker41. Check out this video to learn more about AFSOC's enlisted Air Commandos, the AC-130 Special Mission Aviators. One of the primary inventory pieces of the United States Air Force and its related special forces branches ultimately became the AC-130, built atop the proven framework of the Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" four-engined transport. An AC-130H from the 16th Special Operations Squadron heads out on another mission. Theres currently 8 blocks which range from about 3 days to around a week each. Master Sgt. Welcome to the United States Air Force. Now, it is a self-contained special missions unit of its own, based in Ft. Belvoir, Va., and three other locations worldwide. Ben Lerman, AFSOC's aerial gunner functional manager, said In the case of aerial … During the first missions the Spectre was also able to achieve an aerial victory when on May 8, 1969 an AC-130 shot down an enemy helicopter, as told by Wayne Mutza in …