Final AC-130U “Spooky” returns from Combat Deployment

The final two AC-130U “Spooky” Gunships (89-1056 & 90-0167) from the 4th Special Operations Squadron returned home to Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida on July 8th 2019 from their final scheduled combat deployment. The AC-130U has been almost constantly deployed in Southwest Asia to support contingency operations in the united States Central Command (USCENTCOM) are of responsibility (AOR) since 2001 taking part in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. While still on alert to respond to contingencies at a moments notice for the next few months, the “Spooky’s” are being replaced by the AC-130J “Ghostrider”, the most lethal and advanced gunship in the world.