coat Ambassador at the VA in Fargo on Monday and Thursday, Squad Leader and member of the Fargo Honor Guard at the VA Fargo National Cemetery, and volunteer with the Compassionate Contact Corps. I also volunteer at the Fargo Air Museum as a Tour Guide for schools and groups. Veteran related I am the secretary for the North Dakota State Council for the Vietnam Veterans of America; for local VVA Chapter I am the Membership; for the American Legion Post 44 in Hunter I am the Commander; I hold a position on the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council; I am President on the North Dakota Veterans Home Foundation Board; I am a Committee person on the Advisory Council at the VA in Fargo and I am the Region 5 Director for the Air Force Security Forces Association.
Other Comments:
I am retired.
2003-2003, AC-130A Gunship
From Year 2003
To Year 2003
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
AC-130A Gunship Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The AC-130 Gunship first arrived in South Vietnam on 21 September 1967 under the Gunship II program, and began combat operations over Laos and South Vietnam that year. By 30 October 1968, enough AC-130 Gunship IIs arrived to form a squadron. The 16th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) were activated on the above date at Ubon AB, Thailand.
By December 1968 most AC-130s were flown under F-4 escort from the 479th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), normally three Phantoms per Gunship. In late 1969, under the code name of "Surprise Package", 56-0490 arrived with solid state laser illuminated low light level TV with a companion YAG laser designator, an improved forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, video recording for TV and FLIR, inertial navigation, and a prototype digital fire control computer. Surprise Package was equipped with the latest 20 mm Gatling guns and 40 mm Bofors cannon, but no 7.62 mm close support armament. Surprise Package was refitted with upgraded similar equipment in the summer of 1970, and then redeployed to Ubon RTAFB. Surprise Package served as a test bed for the avionic systems and armament for the AC-130E. In the summer of 1971, Surprise Package was converted to the Pave Pronto configuration, and assumed its new nickname, Thor.
