from: http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/resident/16sow/16ops/4sos/ Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/resident/16sow/16ops/4sos/">4t h Special Operations Squadron</A> ----- 4th SPECIAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON The 4th Special Operations Squadron is the largest of eight flying squadrons within the 16th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The squadron employs the AC-130U Spooky gunship for close air support, armed reconnaissance, and interdiction missions in support of conventional and joint special operations forces. The AC-130U is the very latest in a distinguished line of gunships. The gunship adopted its Spooky nickname from the AC-47, the original, first-generation gunship. The U-model gunship is one of the most complex aircraft weapon systems in the world today, containing more than 609,000 lines of software in its mission computers and avionics systems. Although it still uses the venerable Lockheed C-130 airframe, the AC-130U incorporates the latest sensor technology, along with an entirely new fire-control system, to substantially increase the gunship's combat effectiveness. The fire control system offers a dual-target attack capability, whereby two targets up to one kilometer apart can be simultaneousl y engaged by two different sensors, using two different guns. All light-level television, infrared sensors, and the Hughes APQ-180 radar (also found on the F-15E Strike Eagle) provide night and adverse weather capability. To enhance survivability, emphasis has been placed on increasing the stand-off range of the gunship's weapons system and improving first-shot accuracy. In addition, a set of electronic countermeasures has been installed to help defend the AC-130U against modern threats. The AC-130U is armed with a 25mm Gatling-gun cannon (capable of firing 1800 rounds per minute), a single-barrel, rapid-fire 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm Howitzer. The squadron traces its lineage back to the 4th Air Corps Ferrying Squadron, which was activated in April 1942 and was subsequently redesignated the 4th Ferrying Squadron in May 1943. It ferried a variety of fighter, bomber, and non-combat aircraft to locations in Alaska, Africa and Europe. The squadron was disbanded in March 1944. The 4th Liaison Flight was activated in October 1949 and was redesignated the 4th Liaison Squadron in July 1952. Its mission included transport, air evacuation, courier duty and reconnaissance. The squadron flew the L-13, C-45 and L-20 aircraft. The unit inactivated in March 1954. The 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support) was activated in August 1965 and was redesignated the 4th Special Operations Squadron in August 1969. The squadron's primary mission was to fly strikes against enemy forces in Southeast Asia. The 4th also flew reconnaissance, forward air control, search and rescue and equipment test missions. The squadron flew C/AC/FC and HC-47s. In December of 1969, the squadron was inactivated. The 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron was activated in April 1970. It provided an airborne and auxiliary command post and a communications link for Fifteenth Air Force and Strategic Air Command. It occasionally flew "Looking Glass" missions to back up the SAC airborne command post. The squadron flew the EC-135A/C and G models and was inactivated in September 1992. The 4th entered its latest incarnation in 1995, with the activation of the 4th SOS at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Following an extensive flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., AC-130U operations were transferred to Hurlburt Field in late 1994. At that time, the aircraft were delivered to the 16th Special Operations Squadron, which operates the AC-130H, the U-model's immediate predecessor. The squadron was officially activated May 4, 1995. The 4th SOS airmen participated in their first deployment soon after in October during Exercise Foal Eagle in the Republic of Korea. In September 1996, the squadron made its first operational deployment to Brindisi, Italy, supporting Operation Joint Endeavor in the skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 4th SOS currently operates 13 all-weather AC-130U gunships. The AC-130U represents a major advancement over previous gunships and incorporates features to enhance maintainability and supportability making certain its crews, nicknamed the Ghostriders, are available any time, any place. 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