1st Block 30 gunship for Hurlburt

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - The 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field in Florida is now home to Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest aircraft: The Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. Similar to the Block 20s flown by the 73rd SOS at Hurlburt, the new upgrades mark a major improvement in software and avionics technology. “The Block 30 AC-130J is now our most lethal aircraft in AFSOC's inventory,” said Maj. Brandon Hughes, HQ’s AC-130J requirements chief. The 4th SOS gunship is equipped with a precision strike package, electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, precision-guided munitions delivery, a trainable 30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II and 105 mm M102 howitzer weapons. The 4th SOS currently operates the AC-130U Spooky, and continues to hold the title as the most deployed squadron in the Air Force since 9/11. The Block 30 will cost about one-third as much to operate per flying hour due to upgraded turboprop engines. Ghostrider reached initial operational capability in 2017, and the first Block 30 AC-130J will remain in a testing status for about 12 months before it is operationally deployable. The 4th SOS will continue to operate its Spooky until it joins AC-130H Spectres in retirement by the end of 2020. (Source: AF Special Operations Command 03/13/19)