The E and H Model Gunship Fleet
(Note: Unofficial aircraft names for some aircraft may have changed over the
AC-130’s service period. The names listed here are either the longest used or
best known)
Information for this section courtesy of Bill Walter (Thank You Bill!)
69-6567 Ghostrider
Major Operations: Eagle Claw, Grenada,
El Salvador, Panama, Desert Storm
Shot down during the Battle of Khafji during Operation DESERT STORM on 31 January, 1991.
All fourteen crewmen were lost.
Maj Paul Weaver - Pilot
Capt T.C. Bland - Co-Pilot
Capt Dixon Walters - Electronic Warfare Officer
Capt Art Galvan - Fire Control Officer
Capt William Grimm - Navigator
SMSgt Jim May - Gunner
SMSgt Paul Buege - Sensor Operator
TSgt John Oelschlager - Gunner
TSgt Bob Hodges - Gunner
SSgt Damon Kanuha - Flight Engineer
SSgt John Blessinger - Sensor Operator
SSgt Tim Harrison - Gunner
SSgt Mark Schmauss - Illuminator Operator
Sgt Barry Clark - Gunner
69-6576 Predator
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, El Salvador, Panama, Bosnia, Somalia
On March 14, 1994, while tweaking their guns near Milindi Kenya en route to Somalia, crew experienced a 105mm gun explosion. Unable to remain airborne due to heavy damage and fire, the aircraft contacted the Indian Ocean short of a nearby airport. Three crewmen survived bailout and the pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer survived ditching.
Capt Anthony Stefanik, Fire Control Officer
Capt David J. Melhlop, Navigator
Capt Mark A. Quam, Electronic Warfare Officer
MSgt Roy Duncan, Loadmaster
TSgt Robert L. Daniel, Sensor Operator
SSgt Mark E. Moser, Aerial Gunner
SSgt Brian P. Barnes, Aerial Gunner
SSgt William C. Eyler, Sensor Operator
69-6568 Night Stalker
Major Operations:
El Salvador, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2015
69-6569 Excalibur
Major Operations: Eagle Claw, El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2015
69-6570 The Hussy
Major Operations: Eagle Claw, El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2014
69-6571 The Destroyer
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Hit by 57mm AAA while on an interdiction mission over Laos, 30 March 1972. The entire crew bailed out before the aircraft crashed into the jungle. All crewmen were rescued; the largest Search and Rescue operation of the war in SEA.
69-6572 Grave Digger
Major Operations: Eagle Claw, El Salvador, Grenada, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired in 2014. On display at Cannon Air Force Base
69-6573 Heavy Metal
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Somalia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2015
69-6574 Iron Maiden
Major Cambodia, El Salvador, Grenada, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2014
69-6575 Wicked Wanda
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Eagle Claw,El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired in 2015, placed on display at Hurlburt Fld Heritage Park in Feb 2016.
69-6577 Death Angel
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Eagle Claw, El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Afghanistan
Retired to Davis Monthan AFB in 2015