Lockheed AC-130A Spectre
Summer thunderstorms behind a Lockheed AC-130A Spectre (56-0509) on display at the Air Park on Hurlburt Field, Florida.
From AFSOC's AC-130A Spectre Fact Sheet:
AC-130A TAIL #56-0509 HISTORY
Aircraft #56-0509, named the "Ultimate End," was accepted by the Air Force on February 28, 1957, and modified to the AC-130A configuration on July 27, 1970. The aircraft participated in the Vietnam conflict and the rescue of the USS Mayaguez. The "Ultimate End" demonstrated the durability of the C-130 after surviving hits in five places by 37mm anti-aircraft artillery on December 12, 1970, extensive left wing leading edge damage on April 12, 1971 and a 57mm round damaging the belly and injuring one crewmember on March 4, 1972.
"Ultimate End" was assigned to Duke Field on June 17, 1975, where it continued in service until retired in the fall of 1994 and transferred to Hurlburt Field's Air Park. While assigned to the 711th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field, "Ultimate End" served in Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT STORM and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. After 36 years and seven months of service, 24 years as a gunship, "Ultimate End" retired from active service October 1, 1994. It made its last flight from Duke to Hurlburt on October 20, 1994.
The Spectre Association dedicated "Ultimate End" (which served with the 16 SOS in Vietnam) on May 4, 1995. Lt. Col. Michael Byers, then 16 SOS commander, represented the active-duty gunship force and Clyde Gowdy of the Spectre Association represented all Spectre personnel past and present for the unveiling of a monument at the aircraft and the dedication as a whole.
Lockheed AC-130A Spectre
Summer thunderstorms behind a Lockheed AC-130A Spectre (56-0509) on display at the Air Park on Hurlburt Field, Florida.
From AFSOC's AC-130A Spectre Fact Sheet:
AC-130A TAIL #56-0509 HISTORY
Aircraft #56-0509, named the "Ultimate End," was accepted by the Air Force on February 28, 1957, and modified to the AC-130A configuration on July 27, 1970. The aircraft participated in the Vietnam conflict and the rescue of the USS Mayaguez. The "Ultimate End" demonstrated the durability of the C-130 after surviving hits in five places by 37mm anti-aircraft artillery on December 12, 1970, extensive left wing leading edge damage on April 12, 1971 and a 57mm round damaging the belly and injuring one crewmember on March 4, 1972.
"Ultimate End" was assigned to Duke Field on June 17, 1975, where it continued in service until retired in the fall of 1994 and transferred to Hurlburt Field's Air Park. While assigned to the 711th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field, "Ultimate End" served in Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT STORM and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. After 36 years and seven months of service, 24 years as a gunship, "Ultimate End" retired from active service October 1, 1994. It made its last flight from Duke to Hurlburt on October 20, 1994.
The Spectre Association dedicated "Ultimate End" (which served with the 16 SOS in Vietnam) on May 4, 1995. Lt. Col. Michael Byers, then 16 SOS commander, represented the active-duty gunship force and Clyde Gowdy of the Spectre Association represented all Spectre personnel past and present for the unveiling of a monument at the aircraft and the dedication as a whole.