AFSOC: ‘Ultimate battle plane’

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Air Force Special Operations Command’s new AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has been "performing magnificently" in its initial combat missions in Afghanistan this summer, the Hurlburt Field, Fla.-based AFSOC commander, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, said at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference here Sept. 16. It’s “the ultimate battle plane.” The Ghostrider, with internal and external weapons systems is replacing the AC-130U, which has provided close-air support for AFSOC since 1995. The AC-130J has a similar fire support system, but it can fly higher and longer, according to Slife. AFSOC started taking delivery of the Ghostrider this past spring. The aircraft began deploying to Afghanistan in the summer to replace AC-130Us on a "one-to-one basis," Slife said. (Source: Military.com 09/16/19) https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/09/16/ghostrider-gunship-ultimate-battle-plane-afsoc-commander-says.html?spMailingID=4079585&spUserID=Mjk4MDMwMDE5MDIS1&spJobID=860795958&spReportId=ODYwNzk1OTU4S0