Formal Training Unit for the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship forms at Kirtland AFB
September 4, 2024
The 73rd SOS (Special Operations Squadron) was reactivated at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico on 20 June 2024 as the Ghostrider Formal Training Unit (FTU), and received its first AC-130J aircraft (17-5872) at the end of August 2024. The unit reports to the 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Kirtland, and provides training for aircrew destined for the Lockheed Martin AC-130J Ghostrider gunship as part of Air Education and Training Command.
The Squadron announced that: “We are proud to welcome the first of our AC-130Js to the wing! It is an honour to be trusted with training aircrew on the Ghostriders and look forward to flying them in the skies over New Mexico soon!”
The 73rd SOS (known as the ‘Shadows’), had previously been a frontline unit, and formed part of Air Force Special Operations Command’s 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt, Florida. The 73rd SOS was the USAF’s first active AC-130J squadron and originally formed on 23 February 2018. The unit was ‘flown out’ from Hurlburt ony at the end of May.
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a fifth-generation gunship, based on the C-130J airframe, that has replaced the USAF’s fleet of AC-130U ‘Spooky’ and AC-130W ‘Stinger II’ gunships.
The Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that contains many advanced features. It contains an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics. The aircraft is capable of extremely accurate navigation due to the fully integrated navigation systems with dual inertial navigation systems and global positioning system. Aircraft defensive systems and colour weather radar are integrated as well.
The AC-130J’s primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defense. Air interdiction missions are conducted against pre-planned targets or targets of opportunity and include strike coordination and reconnaissance and overwatch mission sets. The AC-130J provides ground forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, ideally suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets.
The 58th SOW is as the premier training organization for Air Force special operations and personnel recovery aircrews, and is also responsible for the Air Force’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school at Fairchild AFB, Washington. The wing provides undergraduate, graduate and refresher aircrew training for USAF special operations, personnel recovery, missile site support and distinguished visitor airlift aircrew.
As well as the new arrived AC-130J, the wing operates seven different aircraft types including the HC-130J and MC-130J, CV-22 tilt rotors and TH-1H, UH-1N, HH-60G, and HH-60W helicopters, totalling more than 70 assigned aircraft. The wing trains nearly 16,000 students a year and currently employs more than 2,000 active-duty, civilian, and contract personnel.
