AP: Lethal 'Flying Gunships' Used In Vietnam Secretly Moved to Iraqi Base

[kpete]

Lethal ‘flying gunships’ returning to Iraq
AP: Armed airplanes used in Vietnam War secretly moved to Iraqi base

Charles J. Hanley / AP
In a secretive operation, heavily armed gunship versions of C-130 transport planes like these at an airbase in southern Iraq, on Wednesday, are being shipped to Iraq.


Updated: 8:14 p.m. ET March 3, 2006
AN AIR BASE IN IRAQ - The U.S. Air Force has begun moving heavily armed AC-130 airplanes — the lethal “flying gunships” of the Vietnam War — to a base in Iraq as commanders search for new tools to counter the Iraqi resistance, The Associated Press has learned.

An AP reporter saw the first of the turboprop-driven aircraft after it landed at the airfield this week. Four are expected.

The Iraq-based special forces command controlling the AC-130s, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, said it would have no comment on the deployment. But the plan’s general outline was confirmed by other Air Force officers, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the subject.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11657894

[benburch]

1. "Puff the Magic Dragon"

Is I believe what we called them then.

[BrotherBuzz]

19. Puff morphed into Spectre

Puff the Magic Dragon was an AC-47 (DC 3) that was loaded with just searchlights and three 7.62 Gatling guns. In Vietnam the AC-47 (Puff) were effective till the North Vietnamese started to bring in Russian 50 caliber guns which could out range the 7.62 Gatling in the AC-47s.

These AC-130's (Spectre or Spooky) have 40mm cannon (40mm Bofors) and 105mm cannon along with 20 or 25mm machine guns and loaded with a ton of electronic Countermeasures . Indiscriminate carnage in spades.

Interesting read on AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky:

http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ac-130.htm

[mhr]

2. One Pass Leaves One Round In Every Square Foot Of A

Football Field.

No place to run - No Place to hide.

Are you proud of America Now?

[MissB]

6. Seriously?

Wow.

[mhr]

18. Seriously

Photos




Video
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/558/2204ac-130_gunship_afghan_hosing_goblins.wmv

[Teaser]

3. These aren't for offense.

They are for laying down overwhelming suppressive fire during a retreat.


Think about that.

[leftchick]

5. against an army I would assume

and since they are not currently fighting an army it will be used on anything that moves.

[Teaser]

8. They are fighting an army

They are fighting the former Iraqi Army. Its ordinance and command structure are nearly intact.
And this army will (in the time honored fashion) use the withdrawal of American troops as an excuse for target practice.

If you think the insurgents don't have heavy artillery squirrelled away for just such an occasion, you haven't been watching our adversary closely enough.

[leftchick]

16. they are a guerrilla 'army'

mixed in the civilian population. That was my point. A lot of innocents will be killed if they are used the way you describe.

[Neil Lisst]

9. They're for offense and defense.

It is likely they are planned to eradicate any problems that may arise anywhere near US controlled areas. All it takes is for the aircraft's computer system to be programmed on the location. Once it makes a pass, everything in an area the size of a football field is dead, inside a building or not.

[lectrobyte]

13. There used to be some footage of them killing folks as they

left a building. I suppose they could be used for overwhelming fire during a retreat, but in this case they were orbiting and taking out "suspected terrorists". I'm having trouble figuring why you think they aren't for offense? It hardly seems like a defensive weapon at all to me.

My computer is not cooperating on playing video, but I think this is the clip I was thinking of:

http://www.ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=2460146&cch=16

[Strelnikov_]

15. Yep.These Would Be Useful For Countering Massed Attacks On Fire Bases

Sounds like somebody thinks things are about to get interesting down in Dogpatch.

Appears that the Pentagon was a lot more nervous about last weeks 'troubles' than they let on.

In other words, it's a huge shit sandwich, and we're all gonna have to take a bite.

[TahitiNut]

20. We had 'Puff' helping us in February '69 and we sure weren't retreating

In fact, it's where/when Levitow got his MoH.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/vn_af_levitow.html

[GregD]

4. AC 130's too

I saw stories that AC 130's are arriving there as well. Hmmm....

[Aviation Pro]

7. The return of Spectre....

...Spooky, Puff, etc. One mean, mothereffing machine (check out the false-Khristian warrior use of Luke):

[Southern Marylander]

10. not really a good thing but

How secret can it really be if it is being discussed here?

any guess how long it will take the rest of the world to like us again after the last 8 years?

[sofa king]

11. You can see one at work here.

http://www.nata2.info/?path=war

I caution you, the AC-130 footage is disturbing, and there is other disturbing footage on that site.

[madrchsod]

12. a friend from high school was a gunner on a dragon

they would sleep most of the day then get high smoking vietnamese and cambodian grass. he loved to watch all the pretty tracers and explosions... i`m not sure what the hell they would target in iraq other than civilians

[cantstandbush]

14. Just can't wait to kill a lot of innocent people in Iraq. Genocide?

Will someone step up and say what it really is?

[jmowreader]

17. These things are armed with howitzers

This is a fine weapon system if you want to kill people wholesale...unfortunately for the Spectre crews, the Old Iraqi Army is using tactics that guarantee we'll kill far more noncombatants with this plane than we do Iraqi soldiers.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. "Winning hearts and minds" by murdering people. Worked well in Vietnam.

They better be move some more helicopters in for the victory parade off the embassy roof. Those geniuses at the Pentagon never learn.

[Clara T]

22. kicked and Recommended- Need More