Retired. I worked with computers the majority of my career as an Operator,Tele Comm Analyst, and with CAD ( Computer Aided Design). I have been retired as of 2005. I do research in my spare time on the early Southern New Jersey glass industry, where the art of blowing glass by hand began in America. I also collect and study items from the F4 Phantom II fighter aircraft. I was a mechanic on the environmental systems on this plane in SEA at Ubon RTAFB,Thailand in 1969-70. I have a functioning Ejection Seat (minus rocket) out of a F4D, that I am currently working on.
The 16th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) Ubon RTAFB Thailand 1969-70
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.
