ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Air Force is planning to move training for one of its special operation gunships (AC-130J) from Hurlburt Field, Fla. - home to the AF Special Operations Command – to Kirtland AFB in New Mexico. The AF views Kirtland a preferred site for the relocation of the Ghostrider Formal Training Unit because of factors that include increasingly crowded airspace in NW Florida. Seven aircraft and 372 personnel would go to Kirtland, the AF announced. The first AC-130J Ghostrider arrived at Hurlburt in July 2015 after testing at Eglin AFB, Fla. Col. Michael D. Curry, vice commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt said during a news conference that other factors were also involved - similarities of New Mexico’s terrain and the geography of many places where the aircraft is deployed, and proximity to two training ranges (Melrose Air Force Range and White Sands Missile Range). The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland already does training in variations of C-130J aircraft, which are similar to the AC-130J gunships. The fourth-generation gunships provide close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance in support of special operations around the globe. The modified ‘J’ gunships were built at a cost of about $115M apiece. (Source: The AP 11/29/20)
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