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Special Operations.Com
4th Special
Operations Squadron
The
4th Special Operations Squadron is the largest
of eight flying squadrons within the 16th Special
Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The squadron
employs the AC-130U Spooky gunship for close air
support, armed reconnaissance, and interdiction
missions in support of conventional and joint
special operations forces. The AC-130U is the
very latest in a distinguished line of gunships.
The gunship adopted its Spooky nickname from the
AC-47, the original, first-generation gunship.
The U-model gunship is one of
the most complex aircraft weapon systems in the
world today, containing more than 609,000 lines
of software in its mission computers and avionics
systems. Although it still uses the venerable
Lockheed C-130 airframe, the AC-130U incorporates
the latest sensor technology, along with an entirely
new fire-control system, to substantially increase
the gunship's combat effectiveness. The fire control
system offers a dual-target attack capability,
whereby two targets up to one kilometer apart
can be simultaneously engaged by two different
sensors, using two different guns. All light-level
television, infrared sensors, and the Hughes APQ-180
radar (also found on the F-15E Strike Eagle) provide
night and adverse weather capability.
To enhance survivability, emphasis
has been placed on increasing the stand-off range
of the gunship's weapons system and improving
first-shot accuracy. In addition, a set of electronic
countermeasures has been installed to help defend
the AC-130U against modern threats. The AC-130U
is armed with a 25mm Gatling-gun cannon (capable
of firing 1800 rounds per minute), a single-barrel,
rapid-fire 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm Howitzer.
The squadron traces its lineage back to the 4th
Air Corps Ferrying Squadron, which was activated
in April 1942 and was subsequently redesignated
the 4th Ferrying Squadron in May 1943. It ferried
a variety of fighter, bomber, and non-combat aircraft
to locations in Alaska, Africa and Europe. The
squadron was disbanded in March 1944. The 4th
Liaison Flight was activated in October 1949 and
was redesignated the 4th Liaison Squadron in July
1952. Its mission included transport, air evacuation,
courier duty and reconnaissance. The squadron
flew the L-13, C-45 and L-20 aircraft. The unit
inactivated in March 1954.
The 4th Air Commando Squadron
(Fire Support) was activated in August 1965 and
was redesignated the 4th Special Operations Squadron
in August 1969. The squadron's primary mission
was to fly strikes against enemy forces in Southeast
Asia. The 4th also flew reconnaissance, forward
air control, search and rescue and equipment test
missions. The squadron flew C/AC/FC and HC-47s.
In December of 1969, the squadron was inactivated.
The 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
was activated in April 1970. It provided an airborne
and auxiliary command post and a communications
link for Fifteenth Air Force and Strategic Air
Command. It occasionally flew "Looking Glass"
missions to back up the SAC airborne command post.
The squadron flew the EC-135A/C and G models and
was inactivated in September 1992. The 4th entered
its latest incarnation in 1995, with the activation
of the 4th SOS at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Following
an extensive flight test program at Edwards Air
Force Base, Calif., AC-130U operations were transferred
to Hurlburt Field in late 1994. At that time,
the aircraft were delivered to the 16th Special
Operations Squadron, which operates the AC-130H,
the U-model's immediate predecessor. The squadron
was officially activated May 4, 1995. The 4th
SOS airmen participated in their first deployment
soon after in October during Exercise Foal Eagle
in the Republic of Korea. In September 1996, the
squadron made its first operational deployment
to Brindisi, Italy, supporting Operation Joint
Endeavor in the skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The 4th SOS currently operates 13 all-weather
AC-130U gunships. The AC-130U represents a major
advancement over previous gunships and incorporates
features to enhance maintainability and supportability
making certain its crews, nicknamed the Ghostriders,
are available any time, any place.
(Current as of September 1998)
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