Welcome to our Home Page
Sign up today!  PLENTY of seats available at all events
 The 40th anniversary of the gunship
 Details for the 2008 Annual Spectre Reunion
 October 8-13, 2008 More 2008 Reunion info below
  Sheraton 4 Points, FWB, FL 1325 Miracle Strip Parkway · Highway 98 East ·FWB, Florida 32548

Spectre 2008 Reunion Hotel Link
October 24, 2008
 40th AC-130 Gunship Anniversary Dinner
(click for flyer)

The Members of the 4th, 16th, and 19th  Special Operations Squadrons and the 14th Weapons Squadron request the honor of your presence at their

on Friday, twenty-fourth of October, two thousand and eight at six o’clock in the evening

Location: Emerald Coast Conference Center, Cocktails six o’clock, Dinner seven o’clock

Cost:  $35.00 per ticket,  Dress: Military:  Mess Dress/Semiformal Dress Uniform Civilian:  Coat and Tie/Formal Dress,  POC:  For Ex-Military, please RSVP to MSgt Mike Sailer, 850.496.6101 (cell) or 850.884.6615 at the 16th SOS (reservations first come first serve)

MUCH MORE BELOW:  SCROLL DOWN  Please sign our guestbook in our Menu under "Spectre History"...Thanks!
 

Welcome to our new Website look and feel!

As Always PLEASE Keep checking the "What's New" on the menu for
new additions to the site!

We have worked hard to develop a new menu system located on the left of each page to assist you finding your way around the website.  It is clean and mean like a brand new airframe  (we hear even a Navigator can't get lost using it)!  If you want to return to the main page at any time, click the large banner on top of all pages...How easy is that?  Try it out and let us know what you think!

THE STORE IS OPEN
NEW!!!  Clearance Items are available in limited quantities

Now you can get all the Spectre Merchandise Goodies, we are now set up on PayPal to take your major credit cards and PayPal payments directly.  You DO NOT have to have a PayPal account to use your credit cards to make payments on this site.   We also now have the capability to take in your donations via PayPal as well.  Please contribute to help out the Spectre Association today!.  You can even click here to make a direct donation to the association! 

Please click the link below to do a quick 2-question survey on a possible Spectre 18-month custom Photo calendar project.   Survey form

2008 Annual Reunion Information is posted!
 This link (or use the new menu on left) takes you to the reunion page for you to reserve rooms now directly to the Spectre Reunion site.  Check the page for updated info.
 October 8-13, 2008

 2008 Reunion Sponsorship information
Click here for a pdf requesting support and sponsorship
_______________________________

NEW 2 Ways to fill out your 2008 Reunion Application
Please see reunion page for details...MUCH easier!
 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
 

HOT:  Sign Up today!  PLENTY of seats available at all events


 Merchandise on site at the Reunion

 "Country store" will be open with limited merchandise at most reunion events in a central location
so bring your cash to get some cool memorabilia
Last but not least, we would like to extend a HUGE "THANK YOU" to last year's Sponsors

CORPORATE MAJOR SPONSORS:
   

GOLF TOURNEY GIFT SPONSORS:
  


2008 Reunion Sponsorship information
Click here for a pdf requesting support and sponsorship
________________________________________________________

 

 

WELCOME HOME SKEETER!  Another 29 MAR 1972, ACFT 044 Previous MIA
Click above for Robert's memorial page

Previous MIA AG SMSgt Robert E. Simmons is put to rest.  Memorial was held August 23, 2008 at the AmVets in Heuvelton, NY.  The remains were in a full casket with Military Honors. At this service,  his mother was presented medals due at 2 pm.  At 11 am on Sunday August 24 the remains were buried in in family plot at Purmont  Cemetery in DePeyster NY with Military Honors with a fly over by the USAF where this family has  a memorial stone placed for him a couple of years ago.  If there is anyone out there who knew him and could share some memories, his family would love to hear from you.  If anyone knew Robert (Skeeter) or knows of someone who did please contact his Sister.   All Gave Some  - Some Gave All!     Cherie Stevens (Robert's Sister) - New York.  His sister requested a press release posted with more details/requested donation in lei of flowers info
 Form PJ Cook:  Anyone having any photos of Gunner Robert Simmons from 044, please send to me so I can add them to our site to properly memorialize this fallen warrior as well.  Thanks in advance.
 

1st Spectre Qualified/Special Operator USAF Chief of Staff!

General Schwartz assumes command of Air Force!

General Schwartz began his Air Force career in 1973 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs. During his 35-year career, he has logged more than 4,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft and participated in war and peacetime operations in Vietnam, Iraq and Cambodia.

He served in several other command assignments, including Special Operations Command Pacific, Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and 11th Air Force. He also served as director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Many of us personally worked and flew with "Norty" on Spectre and can attest he is the "Best of the Best" General Officer, Leader, and Friend.  "Norty" was always truly friend of the Enlisted and Officer alike and often came to his Senior Enlisted to get a true "pulse" of the feeling of the men and women at Hurlburt.  We all congratulate him and his wife Suzie and wish him the best as he leads the entire Air Force!  We are in Great hands with "Norty" hands on the controls!  Gen Norton Schwartz Bio
Latest News:  Mike Kercheval, aka "Kerch" left this world Sun 7/20/08 at his home in Ft Walton Beach. Mike was an Air Force, 22 year career man with most of that time as a AC-130 Spectre Gunner.  Mike was a great guy, friend to all and dedicated Spectre Warrior!  Click here for Obituary. Services were held Monday at the McLaughlin Mortuary.  Interment followed at Barrancas National Cemetery located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL as per Mike's wishes. His brothers requested in lieu of flowers, please make Donation in Mike's name below that assists family members of fallen Spectres. This Donation Button below goes to a special account ONLY to be given to families of fallen gunships (not a general Spectre Association Donation). 
Card from service 

Donation in Mike's Memory:   

We now have a SPIRIT 03 Fund  This fund will be used to benefit families of fallen members. 
All donations are tax deductible.

WELCOME HOME JIM!!!  Click to visit New Memorial Page

Burial Service for James Caniford (MIA Recovered from Laos).  Was held
1:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) Wednesday, 28 May 2008, Arlington National Cemetery
with full military honors and a Spectre flyover. 

Photos Courtesy of C. W. Tucker, Ubon RTAFB, ’67
More 16 SOS News...
 Cannon-aide: The Air Force signed the movement directive May 12 that formally authorizes the relocation of the 16th Special Operations Squadron and its eight AC130Hgunships from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Cannon AFB, N.M, Air Force Special Operations Command announced May 15. The 16th SOS, formerly a part of Hurlburt's 1st Special Operations Wing, will transfer to the 27th SOW at Cannon, AFSOC's western hub since October 2007. The command anticipates the move of the gunships and associated aircrews and support personnel to be complete by November 2009, with an initial cadre moving this summer and the majority of the squadron in April 2009, AFSOC said. The transfer will involve approximately 600 positions. Members of the New Mexico Congressional delegation welcomed the news--which they got wind of prior to the public announcement--in a joint statement May 14.

I was on the af.mil site and found a NEW 16 SOS Patch.

Here is the official description:

16th Special Operations Squadron Emblem significance: Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The Spectre has been a symbol of the 16th Special Operations Squadron and the AC-130 gunship since inception in the late 1960's. The Spectre appearing at night in a "covert" manner represents the unit's special operations mission.  It also represents the unit's gunship nighttime mission, to attack quickly and precisely and then vanish; much like the phantoms of folklore do. The unit's motto "Spectre" represents the nickname of the aircraft the squadron has flown since the Vietnam War and the "Spectre" symbol.

-PJ  Click on the patch to open a larger version.
As Always, Check the "What's New" on the menu to see the newest additions to the site!  Always adding to the history, heritage and fun for our members and visitors. 
-PJ Cook (Webmaster/Retired Spectre Lead Gunner)

You asked, we deliver...On Time, On Target!

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