DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- On June 5, 2020, a 5th Special Operations Squadron crew flew an all-Reserve AC-130 mission for the first time in 25 years on an AC-130J Ghostrider. The last fully Reserve manned AC-130 mission was flown in 1995 on an AC-130A Spectre. “The Air Force Special Operations Command family has seen so much growth and advancement over the past 25 years,” said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Sentilles, 5th SOS flight instructor. “Walking off the AC-130A and onto the AC-130J Ghostrider, the 5th SOS eclipsed a major milestone.”
The AC-130J Ghostrider's primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defense.
“I’m very proud of my crew for working around the clock to get where we are today,” said Sentilles. “This flight was special. It highlighted the ability of Citizen Air Commandos to get things done.”