What It's Like to Fire the AC-130 Gunship

Ғылым және технология

This is what it's like to fire the AC-130 Gunship, the most heavily armed aircraft in the world!
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Special thanks to the incredible team at Cannon AFB for hosting me!
Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:53 Aircraft Overview
1:50 Weapons Overview
2:15 30mm Gun
2:55 105mm Howitzer
3:31 Flight Deck & Recoil
4:14 Safety Cage
4:37 Mission Brief
5:42 Aircrew Flight Equipment
6:14 Flightline
6:50 Mission Operator Pallet (MOP)
7:14 Takeoff + Tweaking
8:33 Learning the Controls
9:10 Firing Gun 1
9:44 Gun 2 + Fire Mission
11:50 Loading the Gun
13:43 Landing + Conclusion
Views expressed in this video are my own and do not represent the official views of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense
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Пікірлер: 3 900

  • @SamEckholm
    @SamEckholm9 ай бұрын

    For those interested in becoming an Air Force pilot and maybe even flying the AC-130 yourself, one of the best routes you can take is to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. It's a 4-year tuition-free university that graduates the most amount of pilots every year. I'm so excited to announce the release of my online course called The Air Force Academy Blueprint! I cover everything you need to do to prepare, apply, and survive the Air Force Academy. You'll have access to over 60+ video lessons, downloadable resources and checklists, access to a private community of other applicants, and so much more. Sign up here: www.academyblueprint.com/

  • @HS-ig4ly

    @HS-ig4ly

    8 ай бұрын

    cant wait to commit war crimes, so hype to join!!!

  • @cmur078

    @cmur078

    8 ай бұрын

    No thank you.

  • @johnlewis8934

    @johnlewis8934

    8 ай бұрын

    I would love to be a pilot. Where would I apply for the Airforce academy?

  • @MrSharkytales

    @MrSharkytales

    8 ай бұрын

    @@johnlewis8934go to your local recruiting office. I promise it’s harder than you think to join the Air Force. A lot of smart studs.

  • @denissh7902

    @denissh7902

    8 ай бұрын

    Как понял такое оружие нужно только для борьбы со слаборазвитым и слабо оснащённым противником. А так нормальное ПВО на раз два эту бочку ещё на подлёте снесёт./

  • @jtwiard7099
    @jtwiard7099 Жыл бұрын

    It was great flying with you Sam! I was the gunner on the 105mm. We really enjoyed having you ride along with us. Too bad you got to miss out on all of the fun pilot pro after we dropped you off.

  • @joshkerr

    @joshkerr

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your service!

  • @SamEckholm

    @SamEckholm

    Жыл бұрын

    So great flying with you guys!

  • @ultralaggerREV1

    @ultralaggerREV1

    Жыл бұрын

    Mr. Jt Wiard. What did Sam had to do to have a ride on the AC-130? How much paperwork he has to do? What did the Department of Defense need to do to allow someone to have a ride on a military aircraft, do we have to pay some amount of money???

  • @advaitagrawal9042

    @advaitagrawal9042

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ultralaggerREV1 Sam is in the US military so I guess they allow him as it may be marketing for them

  • @2AToday

    @2AToday

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ultralaggerREV1 public relations stuff, mainly in the form of KZread, is Sam’s full time job as an active duty member of the Air Force.

  • @cliftonwhittaker260
    @cliftonwhittaker260 Жыл бұрын

    Loved it! I had the privilege of having an AC-130 do a close support mission for me one time. Short story was that there was a concrete tower in a village harboring a sizable enemy force. We were in the attack right at dusk and I reported to our company commander that I had taken a sniper round from the tower. What to do? He said don't worry, we have Spooky enroute. Turned out to be an AC130 and after a couple of passes the tower was a pile of concrete rubble on the ground. What a show!

  • @haydonlee

    @haydonlee

    Жыл бұрын

    USA!!!!!!

  • @ftboomer1

    @ftboomer1

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow. The US should send some to the Ukraine.

  • @kulesama3185

    @kulesama3185

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ftboomer1 that would not be a good idea

  • @ftboomer1

    @ftboomer1

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kulesama3185 understood and fully agree. My point was sarcasm.

  • @GovernmentalMoments

    @GovernmentalMoments

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kulesama3185 if the threat of nuclear war didnt exist then it COULD be a good idea

  • @MrRiceFN2010
    @MrRiceFN201011 ай бұрын

    "You see that tank?" "Yes Sir." "I don't want to." "Yes Sir."

  • @_xpiercer8984
    @_xpiercer8984 Жыл бұрын

    This is the EXACT definition of team work makes the dream work

  • @willienelsongonzalez4609
    @willienelsongonzalez4609 Жыл бұрын

    The clarity of those images from the aircraft’s onboard camera system on that AC-130 is just unbelievable! Seriously high tech and utterly amazing! Respect to the all the crew that operate and maintain those gunships.

  • @swimmingturtle247

    @swimmingturtle247

    Жыл бұрын

    Not to mention the software that has to calculate where the gun actually needs to be aimed, as the high speed of the aircraft as well as elevation and drop, while factoring in distance is a lot for just placing a marker on a target and pulling the trigger.

  • @fastone942

    @fastone942

    Жыл бұрын

    I got to fly in a C130A model 2 7.65 mini guns 2 20 mm guns and a pair of 40mm Bofors guns that was in 1974 Hurlburt Field I was in civil air patrol and they let a couple cadets go on a mission and we where told at time we the first cadets and first time they had ever allow civilians on mission even a practice one but back to the Camera wow how much they have improved for the low light TV set up and early type FLIR

  • @night__walker

    @night__walker

    Жыл бұрын

    If you haven't noticed, i think we don't look through the actual optics here. At one point the projectile comes in from the left side. So it's probably a drone that's capturing the images. I guess you can't show actual optics from an operating weapon system 😅

  • @BigMacCeo

    @BigMacCeo

    Жыл бұрын

    @@night__walker i think we do, because in certain parts of the video they show the screens, then show censored versions of them when actually firing

  • @Apexium

    @Apexium

    Жыл бұрын

    @@night__walker if the target is a mile away, plane going 300-350mph, there will be some angle between shot and the screen.

  • @stillamarine1001
    @stillamarine1001 Жыл бұрын

    This aircraft saved not just me but it also saved my whole Marine infantry squad in Afghanistan. We was just about over run on our FOB. The Taliban mortared all day. We called troops in contact but didn’t get anything as far as air assets for over an hour. We got two F15Es but they dropped two 1000 lb bombs but had to go get gas. Then we got two Apaches but they also had to go for more gas after 20 mins. But when we got the 130 it was killing them left and right. After the battle we went on BDA patrol to see what was what. It was total devastation. The 105 hit a mortar team and cooked off there ammo killing the team. There was dead Taliban all over. We counted 34 dead Taliban.

  • @justalpha9138

    @justalpha9138

    Жыл бұрын

    The embodiment of devastation. No disrespect to the attack helo and jet fighters because I like to think of each of us in the military as a team.

  • @PasonNugget

    @PasonNugget

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your services towards our country. Sadly some people just don’t see the impact that our soldiers make on an hourly basis. I hope you get the well-earned respect deserved

  • @yajstylez

    @yajstylez

    Жыл бұрын

    @@PasonNugget Yeah, killing and murdering them ON THEIR LAND. LMAO. But whatever... dumb is what dumb does; it keeps our economy in check.

  • @sucknorrisatchuckboris2713

    @sucknorrisatchuckboris2713

    Жыл бұрын

    @@PasonNugget Because it is bullshit. Afghanistan is in the same state as it was before 2001. The information to invade Iraq was also fabricated, and this isn't even a conspiracy anymore. The USA went there, killed half a million civilians and made some extremists more extreme, resulting in ISIS

  • @thegreatest1176

    @thegreatest1176

    Жыл бұрын

    there is a reason talib commanders feared this bird. Also where in afg was this??

  • @bluewaterboof82
    @bluewaterboof82 Жыл бұрын

    I watched an interview with a gunship crewman and he said it was absolutely awful and that pretty much everyone he flew with came down with severe respiratory diseases from all of the toxic chemicals floating around inside the plane. Like living in an enclosed shooting range with minimal ventilation.

  • @WomanTakenBytheWind

    @WomanTakenBytheWind

    6 ай бұрын

    A lot of lead poisoning and endocrine disruption too.

  • @crossoutdude6769

    @crossoutdude6769

    4 ай бұрын

    finally a truthful comment

  • @Somethingsomethinglol

    @Somethingsomethinglol

    4 ай бұрын

    yup. cancer rates are higher amongst them

  • @rockystefano

    @rockystefano

    3 ай бұрын

    All jobs come with a measure of risk. I'm assuming that people joining the armed forces are aware of the fact that "this job" might come with more hazards than your typical office job.

  • @bluewaterboof82

    @bluewaterboof82

    3 ай бұрын

    @@rockystefano Thank you for pointing out the obvious.

  • @TheTechAdmin
    @TheTechAdmin Жыл бұрын

    Fun Fact for tech nerds like me. I've had to replace the custom graphics card on a AC130 a little over a decade ago. The displays in the cockpit that the pilots use actually use two graphics cards at 99% and 1%, to drive the displays in the cockpit. Each graphics card can cost between $120,000-$260,000 (this was the cost 10 years ago). The graphics cards that you can buy online for your everyday/gaming PC are built for performance. The graphics cards that go inside airplanes, in terms of PERFORMANCE would be only as fast as a $190 card today. However, graphics cards designed for military airplanes are built for endurance, efficiency and redundancy. Every single component on the card is designed in duplicate for redundancy. So if any part of the card malfunctions, it automatically switches to the backup. And in the worst case that the entire card fails, the plane computer switches to a duplicate backup card. Each card is also coated in a waterproof chemical that makes the entire card and all of its components feel like rubber.

  • @-what

    @-what

    11 ай бұрын

    Underrated comment

  • @user-ir5tz2or9c

    @user-ir5tz2or9c

    9 ай бұрын

    ​@@-whatunderrated fantasies

  • @good_or_goodnt

    @good_or_goodnt

    8 ай бұрын

    thanks for sharing good to know with all that hi res feed they def need graphics card with good endurance

  • @TheTechAdmin

    @TheTechAdmin

    8 ай бұрын

    Awww. I'm sorry you see it that way. Just go outside man. There's a whole world of..................... "fantasies" out there.@@user-ir5tz2or9c

  • @KenshinAntrax

    @KenshinAntrax

    7 ай бұрын

    Companies steal from the us tax payers a 200$ gasket would get sold to nasa for 15k same w the army

  • @Snipedog1978
    @Snipedog1978 Жыл бұрын

    I remember working on the weapons systems of the H and U model of the AC130 gunship when stationed at Hurlburt Field. These aircraft have changed so much from the old days of 20mm, 25mm and 40mm guns

  • @perniciousreaper4393

    @perniciousreaper4393

    Жыл бұрын

    Back in '06, I spent a couple weeks TDY at Hurlburt. Myself and the other two guys from our squadron that were down there with me were sitting at the DFAC one morning when a major wearing a bag walked over to us. Completely random as far as I know. We knew what he drove because of the Spooky patch he was wearing. He chatted us up for a minute, asking where we were from and what we were doing at Hurlburt. Then he told us he had room for one more on his aircraft that night for a mission over the Eglin range, and asked would one of us want to take a ride. All three of us said "hell yes" at once, and he told us "looks like you're going to have to draw straws or something." We did exactly that and I ended up being the lucky one. He took note of my name, told me when and where to show up, and turned around and walked out. That night I went up in an AC-130U and got to do just exactly what Sam did; it's one of the single most fun memories of my time in (and I had a lot of fun during my enlistment). I was a bit surprised they let him film as much as he did. I wanted to snap some pictures back with the sensor controls and was told it was an absolutely solid negative.

  • @itrycrazy3447

    @itrycrazy3447

    Жыл бұрын

    Good ol Hurbie baby, hell yeah!

  • @olligesd9343

    @olligesd9343

    4 күн бұрын

    Didn't the older models have dual GE gatling cannons as well? Why did they replace those? One would think the rain provided by them would be superior to the firepower of the 30mm.

  • @Max.E.Danganan
    @Max.E.Danganan8 ай бұрын

    11:23 The unit cohesion is so good I listened to this part like 10 times! 😆👍🏻

  • @NateOblivion
    @NateOblivion Жыл бұрын

    I was an Air Force weapons troop at Cannon AFB who just got out 5 months ago, I JUST missed you! haha! I'm glad you had fun my friend!! My job was loading the aircraft with bombs/munitions, as well as upkeep of the 30mm and 105mm guns!

  • @Tybell350
    @Tybell350 Жыл бұрын

    My unit was supported by an AC-130 back in 2011 in Kunar Province. It was a pretty intense experience, I was an Army Artillery Officer so seeing a 105mm Howitzer fire over my head was nuts.

  • @asakad21
    @asakad21 Жыл бұрын

    No wonder why my 105mm in CoD takes a lot of time to reload..

  • @benjaminflash1108

    @benjaminflash1108

    Жыл бұрын

    now we know why :D

  • @medicalsyrup5086

    @medicalsyrup5086

    Жыл бұрын

    Now we know why :)

  • @8bitz39

    @8bitz39

    Жыл бұрын

    Now we know why ツ

  • @Cantfindaname917

    @Cantfindaname917

    Жыл бұрын

    Now we know why :]

  • @borarider669

    @borarider669

    Жыл бұрын

    shows explain how realistic that game was

  • @Kyler-.-
    @Kyler-.- Жыл бұрын

    That's pretty awesome. I was stationed at an RAF base, and we would see an AC-130 come in now and then and a few times, you could see obvious bullet holes. Truly epic Aircraft.

  • @TmoneyProductions
    @TmoneyProductions Жыл бұрын

    9:00 Seeing this truly makes me respect the effort put into mw2 when you are in the ac-130 it literally looks just like that 😂

  • @oompaloompaboi
    @oompaloompaboi Жыл бұрын

    As a former CSO, much respect to these crews and their coord in real ops! They’re doing so much more than he goes into, and hats off to all of these airmen for the lives they save every day!

  • @JS-rv3et

    @JS-rv3et

    Жыл бұрын

    what would you rather have in the sky ( on your team ) A-10 wart wart or AC-130 spooky?

  • @ieuanhunt552

    @ieuanhunt552

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JS-rv3et Considering all blue on blue incidents A-10s have been involved in I would hate to see it in the sky.

  • @A-Warthog-cc1wm

    @A-Warthog-cc1wm

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ieuanhunt552 bro…

  • @143AD

    @143AD

    Жыл бұрын

    They also cheat to do it.

  • @traydog9807

    @traydog9807

    Жыл бұрын

    Construction safety officer

  • @SamEckholm
    @SamEckholm Жыл бұрын

    Wow! This was a fun one to film. Let me know what your favorite part of the AC-130 is and which aircraft I should cover next! 👇🏼

  • @kylelemanski3203

    @kylelemanski3203

    Жыл бұрын

    Just commented my suggestion in the regular thread

  • @uzairwaraich774

    @uzairwaraich774

    Жыл бұрын

    A10 warthog

  • @Dragomaster08

    @Dragomaster08

    Жыл бұрын

    Or know as the angel of death

  • @MustangF35

    @MustangF35

    Жыл бұрын

    My opinion to which aircraft to cover i think the AH 64 Apache helicopter and the next video you should do the C17 Globemaster III.

  • @joshuatiemeyer3617

    @joshuatiemeyer3617

    Жыл бұрын

    Check out the KC-135

  • @samuellp1146
    @samuellp1146 Жыл бұрын

    This was a super fun video to watch. I really liked seeing a young air crew group working so well together training, serving and protecting our country with that powerful air tank. I am sure it gets really hairy with those guys at night when actual ground crew are desperate for pinpoint air support.

  • @logiqueraison5631
    @logiqueraison563111 ай бұрын

    3:05 the moment you realise you might not be straight after all.

  • @karenhatch3841
    @karenhatch3841 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sam I now see just what my son has done for 16 years, great job! Proud momma of Master Sgt. Hatch

  • @SamEckholm

    @SamEckholm

    Жыл бұрын

    He’s the man!

  • @CannonAirForceBase27SOW

    @CannonAirForceBase27SOW

    Жыл бұрын

    We love MSgt Hatch!

  • @warthy4889

    @warthy4889

    10 ай бұрын

    ​@@CannonAirForceBase27SOW Cannon Air Force Base ?

  • @Jack-jh2ls
    @Jack-jh2ls Жыл бұрын

    I’m a crew chief for those bad boys at cannon glad to see you enjoy it. They’re a massive pain to work on but totally worth it for the mission.

  • @shotbynextel

    @shotbynextel

    Жыл бұрын

    Used to live there. Worst base of all time LOL.

  • @robspecht9550

    @robspecht9550

    Жыл бұрын

    How does the plane react to 50lb slugs leaving the airframe at high velocity?

  • @jakerubino3233

    @jakerubino3233

    Жыл бұрын

    @@robspecht9550 if you listen hard enough it grunts “Get Some!” after each recoil action! 😂

  • @idcanthony9286

    @idcanthony9286

    Жыл бұрын

    Used to work on the H’s and W’s in beautiful Cannon AFB. Miss the mission and people.

  • @Cazline

    @Cazline

    Жыл бұрын

    @@robspecht9550 in the video the pilot mentions the plane moves 6 feet to the side

  • @righty-o3585
    @righty-o358511 ай бұрын

    My dad was a ground based 105 mm operator in Vietnam, as well as the quad 50 Cal operator, a grenadier, and a tank driver 🤘😁

  • @pinotpinotpinot
    @pinotpinotpinot11 ай бұрын

    Amazing video! One small fun fact, the AC-130 was first used bombing people trying to defend their country against the US-Military in Vietnam! Man the AC-130 really showed those casualties who's boss. What do you think, how many people were killed by this epic murder machine? Give me your estimates in the replies!

  • @yagosski8179

    @yagosski8179

    11 ай бұрын

    How exciting!! Im thinking 80-100 farmers and like 7 children

  • @zootaxy7589

    @zootaxy7589

    11 ай бұрын

    at least 20 journalists and six Afghani kids

  • @zipfail2112

    @zipfail2112

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@yagosski8179 80-100 farmers terrorist and 7 children terrorist. Democracy🇺🇸

  • @eigelgregossweisse9563

    @eigelgregossweisse9563

    11 ай бұрын

    All of them are evil mate. Though the Americans have obviously the power.

  • @pinotpinotpinot

    @pinotpinotpinot

    11 ай бұрын

    @@zipfail2112 Salute the troops 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Especially the brave pilots of the AC-130 who risked their live everyday to fight those damn children terrorists 🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @ssheeessh
    @ssheeessh Жыл бұрын

    I know they're all very well trained, but seeing the unit cohesion aboard that plane is really impressive to see. Good job to Sam for filming as well as he did. Honestly it'd hard to grasp all the teamwork and communication going on up there if we didn't literally just see it firsthand.

  • @jgn2112
    @jgn2112 Жыл бұрын

    I was a navigator on the AC-130U and the upgrades in capabilities to the J model defy belief. Always good to see our SOF getting the best possible support necessary to complete the most dangerous missions in our mission set. Anything with the AC-130, history, present, and future, will always hit home with me hard. I can't believe I got to do what I did.

  • @143AD

    @143AD

    Жыл бұрын

    Good cheating weapon, huh? And Taliban still beat you. Don't get triggered, Bro. It is what it is.

  • @diqital_aviator
    @diqital_aviator23 күн бұрын

    I LOVE how modern the aircraft is. So sleek and badass - I closely knew the British C130's before they retired - what a wonderful aircraft!

  • @lucasblanchard47
    @lucasblanchard47 Жыл бұрын

    That looked like an absolutely incredible experience! New sub here, can’t wait to watch more of your content. Much love from Texas!

  • @mrgold3591
    @mrgold3591 Жыл бұрын

    Love the AC-130 gunship. The version we would live fire with was a little different when I was active duty in the 90s. I "think" it had 105mm howitzer, twin 20mm Vulcans, 7.62mm mini gun, and 40mm Bofors gun. It make one hell of a mess and an absolutely beautiful sound when all guns were firing.

  • @noob.168

    @noob.168

    Жыл бұрын

    glorifying war is crazy. u should join the invasion of ukraine then.

  • @mrgold3591

    @mrgold3591

    Жыл бұрын

    @@noob.168 It is because of people like me that served and that makes it possible for you to stay at home and criticize. Your welcome.

  • @iseensumshit69420

    @iseensumshit69420

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mrgold3591 What did the noob guy say?

  • @mrgold3591

    @mrgold3591

    Жыл бұрын

    @@iseensumshit69420 He/she/it was just criticizing the Military for being warmongers, killing people for no reason, don't need them, and a waste of money.

  • @iseensumshit69420

    @iseensumshit69420

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mrgold3591 "it" 😂

  • @urias.j2701
    @urias.j2701 Жыл бұрын

    I love how everyone just admiring the aircraft and telling their stories with it. Truly love seeing brothers share each other stories! Thank you for your services

  • @catoonz

    @catoonz

    Жыл бұрын

    Ah yes, casual invasion of iraq for no reason and war crimes

  • @mr.universe8739

    @mr.universe8739

    Жыл бұрын

    @@catoonz this is about the A-C130 doing its job, not an armed conflict between two nations

  • @paulsimons769

    @paulsimons769

    Жыл бұрын

    @@catoonz ah yes I love when murder is re-marketed for recruiting kids to do their future invasions/ murder 👏

  • @hotdog9262

    @hotdog9262

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mr.universe8739 job is bully poor people/forces

  • @mr.universe8739

    @mr.universe8739

    Жыл бұрын

    @@hotdog9262 enemies in territorial disputes, sorry we advance,😐

  • @AlphaSniperAcademy
    @AlphaSniperAcademy25 күн бұрын

    3:12 I just found it funny but admirable how ready he was to take the round back haha Super careful, super professional and accommodating

  • @this_is_nick
    @this_is_nick Жыл бұрын

    I work on the MK 46 30MM chain gun in the Navy. I was a little surprised to see the similarities from our variant to the Gau-23 variant on the AC-130.

  • @starfox6478
    @starfox6478 Жыл бұрын

    I didn't realise the modern variants had a different weapons loadout, I was under the impression that all AC-130's had the classic twin 20mm, 40 and 105

  • @donnieharmon9292

    @donnieharmon9292

    Жыл бұрын

    The new j models do not the have gone to the more adaptable set up with the pilons for missiles

  • @ChevTecGroup

    @ChevTecGroup

    Жыл бұрын

    The originals had 7.62 miniguns as well. Kinda sad that the 40's are gone, but it is likely a lot less labor intensive to keep fed and easier supply with A-10 ammo commonality.

  • @edm240b9

    @edm240b9

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ChevTecGroup IIRC, they got rid of the 40mm Bofors because they were having a hard time looking for spare parts all over the world and they were reloading shell casings made during the 40s. As sad as it is to see a workhorse like the Bofors finally retire, it’s probably for the best. The 30mm cannon I hear is a good compromise and is really accurate.

  • @ChevTecGroup

    @ChevTecGroup

    Жыл бұрын

    @@edm240b9 i know they were reloading cases and such for a while. But it shouldn't be that hard to source components. But yes it will be missed. 30mm avenger would have been a cool upgrade. Or the new 50mm chain gun that the Army is looking at for IFVs

  • @edm240b9

    @edm240b9

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ChevTecGroup it was hard because the US was the only country still using the 40mm Bofors and every other country had scrapped them or they weren’t salvageable.

  • @davidwolf226
    @davidwolf226 Жыл бұрын

    Damn, Sam! You have no idea just how many of us old duffers would love to have the same experience you just shared! What a tremendous weapons platform! I have a nephew who was an avionics tech on these a while back and he also loved working on them. What do I like about this aircraft? Everything!

  • @DanielWitmer
    @DanielWitmer11 ай бұрын

    I have the brass from the 105 and a 40mm bofors brass as I was the Army air/ground liaison on the AC 130. This was a day before you heard about Operation Just Cause, by the time you heard about it, the Morgue at Gorgas hospital was already full.

  • @TheRealLink
    @TheRealLink Жыл бұрын

    What a great experience! Could only imagine how nervous and exciting it was!

  • @MorgothSr
    @MorgothSr Жыл бұрын

    I love your videos! My father was a C-130 pilot, among other aircraft; C-119, C-123. He flew the C-130 in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguish Flying Cross for providing support to Khe Sanh during the siege of that outpost in 1968. He would have loved to see your videos! Keep up the good work!

  • @821marko

    @821marko

    Жыл бұрын

    A good friend of mine I used to work with was a machine gunner at Khe Sanh he was there in 68' he said if Nixon hadn't stepped up the bombing in Laos there would have been a lot more dead Marines...he said Khe Sanh was remote and they hit it all the time, small world ....hats off to your dad...

  • @821marko

    @821marko

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LauRoot892 I'm originally from Ft Wayne Indiana but I'm living in Tucson Az right now...with the work I've done I've traveled all over this country extensively...overseas as well just to get a break

  • @821marko

    @821marko

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LauRoot892 how about you

  • @821marko

    @821marko

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LauRoot892 I'm on telegram... Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Twitter or anything owned by Google, I'm pretty much banned from those platforms or to put it bluntly anything owned by nazis, communists and fascists ...

  • @821marko

    @821marko

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LauRoot892 KZread and Lyrics Translate are also owned by Google,...I used to post English translations of Russian songs on Lyrics Translate and they kicked me off there, blatant violent communists control that platform and depending on the subject KZread will shadow ban or outright block comments I post

  • @cowchip
    @cowchip Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed this very much. A lot of changes since I worked on the AC130 Spectre Gunships we used in Thailand in 1969-1970. Fire power and electronics greatly improved. Ubon, Thailand 1969-1970. USAF

  • @DOProductionsNL

    @DOProductionsNL

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your service, sir!

  • @doesntmatter4477
    @doesntmatter44776 ай бұрын

    Great channel, great video, all around awesome stuff. I deeply appreciate our military members. Thanks fellas, you guys are incredible.

  • @dashalbrecht2571

    @dashalbrecht2571

    Ай бұрын

    They’re murderers

  • @ShiftGolf
    @ShiftGolf Жыл бұрын

    Remember the AC-130 in Viet Nam when at Danang - We had the 119 Stinger A/C - Original A/C 130 had the 105 hanging from the front door I thought - plus it had 8 mini's 4 20's 2 40's and the 105 howitzer. Lots of firepower - The guys from Spectre in Ubon came to NKP one time, crazy group, kept playing the "Ghost riders in the sky" song.

  • @scurvys5309
    @scurvys5309 Жыл бұрын

    the quality of this video was so good, you deserve more recognition sam!

  • @thegenr8
    @thegenr8 Жыл бұрын

    What a great demonstration of the teamwork it takes. This is what our military is all about.

  • @rachel0706

    @rachel0706

    Жыл бұрын

    ii wwaannaa ggeettt llaaiidd by that girl🤤😍

  • @christophed4579

    @christophed4579

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, US teamwork worked exceptionnally well in Afghanistan, what a great military success.

  • @nickcerni3860

    @nickcerni3860

    Жыл бұрын

    the teamwork it takes to kill humans in an insanely brutal way

  • @dylanbea8789
    @dylanbea8789 Жыл бұрын

    I can’t believe the plane doesn’t just shake apart when that howitzer goes off, amazing

  • @sematic1
    @sematic19 ай бұрын

    This is so badass. I have to show my son. getting to fly or even gun one of these has to be the best job ever.

  • @brunoactis1104

    @brunoactis1104

    8 ай бұрын

    To kill what? Civilians? Please realize the american army are the worst bad guys in the hisotry of humanity.

  • @TonyYaDiGG
    @TonyYaDiGG Жыл бұрын

    This must be one of the most fun aircrafts to be a pilot on you literally have a whole gun show going off right behind you 🤯😎

  • @FalamRZ
    @FalamRZ Жыл бұрын

    Recently just went to an Airshow and managed to tour inside and even sit in the pilots seat of a Canadian C-130 Hercules, and that was amazing in itself. However I simply cannot imagine how magnificent it would be to see one of these things in person. Truly amazing to think about.

  • @theadventurer247
    @theadventurer24711 ай бұрын

    Imagine the soldier's there walking around doing task and not once thought to themselves as they see skulls plastered everywhere (including a tattoo) that they're definitely not the baddies.

  • @Fallub
    @Fallub7 ай бұрын

    The production quality is amazing. Great video.

  • @exgebe4407
    @exgebe4407 Жыл бұрын

    Hands down. This is human craftmanship. Master class.

  • @briangrady367
    @briangrady367 Жыл бұрын

    I miss flying with the 16SOS. Great people and awesome mission.

  • @Rotorhead1651
    @Rotorhead16515 ай бұрын

    I was a helicopter mechanic with the 20th A.M.U., 1st S.O.W. at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida (a sister unit to the 16th A.M.U., who were the maintenance unit for the AC-130H's) back in the early to mid 80s. Way back then, there was WAY less room inside the gunships as the armaments were a BIT different. They had the same 105mm Howitzer, but in addition, they had (back to front) a 40mm Bofors (pretty much alongside the 105), twin 20mm rotating cannon, and a HOST of electronic visual equipment, sensors, and lighting. By lighting, I'm referring to the 2 flood lights used EXCLUSIVELY in flight as turning them on, on the ground, would cause catastrophic failures. The first was a 2KW lamp and the second was 40KW, and they could light up an area as if it were broad daylight. The AC's also had low-light TV (LLTV), wide and narrow angle TV, FLIR (Forward Looking [bit of a misnomer as the camera can be rotated in any direction] InfraRed) TV, and "side" looking radar (gave the WSO radar image of ground targets as the acft was orbiting). The avionics in the weapons suite was so advanced then (and we're talking 40+ years ago) that the WSO could put a 105 round IN YOUR LAP, from 10,000 feet, on a starless night, while you were driving at 50 mph trying to escape. When using the twin 20s, the gunship had the same "BRRRRT" sound as the venerable A-10. It could DEVASTATE supply trains, buildings, and aircraft still on the ground. Other, less active, features included the "bathtubs". These were heavy, insulated attachments which were mounted on the wings, overlapping the engine exhasts. They were designed to mix the much colder air at operating altitude with the hot exhaust gases, minimizing the aircraft's thermal signature. Also, the guns were not mounted on gimbles then, so in order to reposition the guns for targeting, the pilot had to reposition the entire aircraft. And finally, there was the "fishbowl", a large acrylic dome, set into the overhead door for the ramp, used by the I.O. (Incoming Officer), to identify inbound threats, such as missiles, rockets, and hostile aircraft. The I.O. would literally lay on his stomach and peer out the dome, monitoring the sky for possible threats (modern sensors have made this position irrelevant). The AC-130H, then, was basically an airborne artillery emplacement, with the power to delete geography. With the weapons and avionics upgrades of the "J" model, it has only gotten more deadly, and NO ONE ELSE has anything like it, IN THE WORLD.

  • @forgthefrog77
    @forgthefrog77 Жыл бұрын

    Who needs a massage chair when you have the recoil of an AC-130 gunship’s guns!

  • @aviationcatB-25
    @aviationcatB-25 Жыл бұрын

    This video looks Amazing can’t wait till I get old enough to join the Air Force hopefully flying the C-17

  • @kman31799

    @kman31799

    Жыл бұрын

    Study as much as you can. Im currently obtaining my PPL and there's a lot of information thrown at you. The Air Force will take care of you but it's always good to go in with Prior knowledge

  • @Adriansdr07

    @Adriansdr07

    Жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately, even if you join the air forces, the c17 will start to retire one by one.

  • @tonyf9076

    @tonyf9076

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Adriansdr07 still got another 15 years plus of service life maybe longer 👍

  • @Atony94

    @Atony94

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Adriansdr07 The C130 has been used since Vietnam and the c17 is the current primary workhorse. They're not going anywhere for a long time.

  • @Adriansdr07

    @Adriansdr07

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Atony94 Wdm, The USAF is already planing to retire it’s C17’s by 2035! The c130J is already going to be the primary replacement of the C17, also the c17 has already ended production since 2015 so there already going soon!.

  • @thatonefastbaguette
    @thatonefastbaguette Жыл бұрын

    My man literally called in a killstreak

  • @nan16cd
    @nan16cd26 күн бұрын

    Best AC-130 video ever

  • @MarkVickers-xq9si
    @MarkVickers-xq9si4 ай бұрын

    Man , along With the A-10 , and (even ) non - nuclear B - 52 (all subsonic) , the Spectre is frightening . I'm just glad they are on our side . They all send a bit of chill up my spine. The crews (inside AND on the ground) train hard & Long . I salute you . And Thank You All . ♥️

  • @gilnk8534
    @gilnk8534 Жыл бұрын

    The quality of your production is elite. How do you not have millions of subscribers??? Great work Sam, loved it.

  • @SamEckholm

    @SamEckholm

    Жыл бұрын

    Working on it!

  • @seekjesuschrist713
    @seekjesuschrist713 Жыл бұрын

    I flew many ac130 before. Nothing like the rush of one of those bad boys! The enemy team was always so angry after the MW2 matches because of it too!

  • @softsalad
    @softsalad8 ай бұрын

    this has to be an advertisement to join the military 😂

  • @brandonmasoncharles8928
    @brandonmasoncharles8928 Жыл бұрын

    I actually love this thanks for letting me see this because I am being sent to military in a few years so at least I get to experience the AC-130 it’s my favorite gunship

  • @manueladan5031
    @manueladan5031 Жыл бұрын

    Sir Sam, I learned a ton from your vlog. Am a military enthusiasts ans and you literally opened my eyes and my mind to to the myriad of info about our military. Thank you, Sir Sam for your excellent articulations,you speak very clearly and your grasp of the details are likewise excellent. Kudos!

  • @ericmartin6983
    @ericmartin6983 Жыл бұрын

    Loved this segment. Really impressive aircraft. Just a great, ready for tv video! Well done, Sam!

  • @OriginalSniperLol
    @OriginalSniperLol Жыл бұрын

    This was awesome Sam! I hope to see more videos like these soon.

  • @SoupSlayer94
    @SoupSlayer94 Жыл бұрын

    Was able to experience seeing this thing fire the 105mm in country. Makes you VERY happy knowing it's on our side.

  • @keith_jones
    @keith_jones Жыл бұрын

    Brava, to you and your filming crew! Another very good video put into the channel. The genuine delight you take in your work is so nice to see. You managed to make a stunning video that is as action packed as it is informative, all with a touch of humor. Mike Rowe make way for the next generation!

  • @SamEckholm

    @SamEckholm

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you ☺️

  • @ThatAvgeekKid
    @ThatAvgeekKid Жыл бұрын

    When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the AC-130. They used to hear them practicing all the time when I was young. Wish I would have seen this video back then, but its still cool to see now.

  • @galacticengineer588
    @galacticengineer5888 ай бұрын

    Those pilots look so cool

  • @saibot984
    @saibot984 Жыл бұрын

    Everybody know this from MW2

  • @dbf5803
    @dbf5803 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing opportunity - props to you and the film crew - very well put together. Thanks for representing.

  • @LauRoot892

    @LauRoot892

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey 👋

  • @thatlegokid6187
    @thatlegokid6187 Жыл бұрын

    My grandpa was stationed at Phù Cát airbase in Vietnam up until 1969, a year before it was overrun by VC. While he was stationed there, he loaded ammunition onto F-100s and AC-130s.

  • @ykwoozie606
    @ykwoozie6068 ай бұрын

    Dude is a real-life WarThunder Player

  • @sawyernordstrom5392

    @sawyernordstrom5392

    29 күн бұрын

    you forgot the💀emoji

  • @PotatoLad430
    @PotatoLad43011 ай бұрын

    “Wow, blowing up Afghan children is just like my Xbox!!!”

  • @PotatoLad430

    @PotatoLad430

    7 ай бұрын

    @@jamescharles5907 I sure found the target audience of this bullshit military propaganda that this channel was sponsored to push.

  • @Regalpaladin

    @Regalpaladin

    6 ай бұрын

    Dawg💀💀

  • @bogeydope3022
    @bogeydope3022 Жыл бұрын

    Thing is, you need total air superiority with these things. But there is hardly anything better for CAS. The big plane circling makes an excellent target too.

  • @Mediavidero
    @Mediavidero Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, really. Was so interesting for people who build scale model kits because the inner space details (panels, screens, boxes, etc ..) and colors.

  • @HvacGuy76
    @HvacGuy76 Жыл бұрын

    This team has an amazing job. Thank you all for your service. Great video!!🇺🇲🇺🇲

  • @johnj1766
    @johnj1766 Жыл бұрын

    This is such a badass thing to have the privilege of being part of, really enjoy this as if I was there 👍

  • @riichobamin7612
    @riichobamin7612 Жыл бұрын

    9:37 "PILOTS LAUGHT AT SAM" 😂😂😂

  • @ElegantMessTechPC
    @ElegantMessTechPC Жыл бұрын

    What an awesome experience, thanks so much for going through ALL hoops to bring this to us !

  • @ryanmorley8211
    @ryanmorley82114 ай бұрын

    I always wanted be a weapon operator in the AC-130. Particularly the 40mm bofors.

  • @Secular_Iran_GE
    @Secular_Iran_GE Жыл бұрын

    thats one of the most badass gunship . i am the biggest fan of this animal gunship from Iran!

  • @evoluton117
    @evoluton117 Жыл бұрын

    Sam is truly inspirational and the content he makes is amazing. Appreciate the time and effort he puts in these videos. Cant wait for the next one

  • @CarNerd

    @CarNerd

    Жыл бұрын

    look at the fake positivity from a person that hates themself

  • @kamratframjandet

    @kamratframjandet

    Жыл бұрын

    Probably supported by/in cooperarion with the military. Could actually be that they edit and upload the videos, and that Sam is just the ”main character”.

  • @wrakowic

    @wrakowic

    Жыл бұрын

    It's a propaganda piece to get more people to enlist. It is cool nevertheless.

  • @realjordanbelfort

    @realjordanbelfort

    Жыл бұрын

    yeah this dude is definitely PA lmao the question is how did he get such a cush job bahahaha

  • @Ja2808R
    @Ja2808R Жыл бұрын

    Great production and editing. Props to all the crew of our best infantry protectors.

  • @JellyJam_Man
    @JellyJam_Man6 күн бұрын

    “Sir, requesting to destroy enemies in the at area” “Roger, permission to destroy enemies In that area” “Sir, I have successfully removed that area”

  • @carsonkouts
    @carsonkouts Жыл бұрын

    Never been on one when it fires, but had them save our asses in mohmand valley. Still terrifying.

  • @1900intz
    @1900intz Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sam for another informative and entertaining video. Stay safe. Thank all of you for your service.

  • @james6932
    @james6932 Жыл бұрын

    Respect for those of you that handle all this on the regular. Had I known I was gonna waste my life in retail, I would've joined up right outta high school. Seems like a life well spent.

  • @boomerang6130
    @boomerang613013 күн бұрын

    Wow, that plane is kickass.

  • @user-wt9il2xl4g
    @user-wt9il2xl4g Жыл бұрын

    TOO COOL!!! What an amazing experience!

  • @Aditi27
    @Aditi27 Жыл бұрын

    I just recently started watching some of the videos on your channel, & its very good quality content. The videos are succint but very interesting & never fail to make me smile 😊 so keep it up! Best wishes

  • @SamEckholm

    @SamEckholm

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!!

  • @kjpetitt
    @kjpetitt Жыл бұрын

    Incredibly well done, Sam! I laughed real good at the COD references 😂😂

  • @drdroopy15
    @drdroopy15 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video. Question, what happens to the empty casing after the 105 fires and it then hits the floor? I am sure the secure it for rest of the flight somewhere.

  • @WingsOfADream1
    @WingsOfADream1 Жыл бұрын

    I've heard some nightmare stories about the fumes in combat but looked pretty cool

  • @kerbalairforce8802

    @kerbalairforce8802

    Жыл бұрын

    I keep seeing this posted around, I I think the only source for it is one guy claiming to be an AC-130U gunner in VR chat.

  • @thealandude9146
    @thealandude9146 Жыл бұрын

    I've seen the AC130 a lot in video games but never know what it's actually like irl, the real deal is way more badass than video games

  • @m.asquino7403
    @m.asquino7403 Жыл бұрын

    I used to love hearing spooky shooting up the mountains for target practice when I was at Bagram

  • @rollracerepublic
    @rollracerepublic4 ай бұрын

    The communication when firing the guns is f’ing awesome

  • @estellemelodimitchell8259
    @estellemelodimitchell8259 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sam for covering this awesome aircraft. Really nice footage you got there! For next aircraft, could you do an extension of the C-130 variants by covering the Marines KC-130J Harvest Hawk? Would be great if you could. That would more or less complete the C-130’s family of aircraft. Got another request though - attack helicopter, i.e. either Army Apache AH-64E or Marines AH-1Z Viper? I guess it would be tough since these aircraft are 2 seaters and chances are you won’t get to sit in the Co-pilot/Gunner seat, unless Army or Marines made some special exemption for you.

  • @CrispyTM
    @CrispyTM Жыл бұрын

    3:33, this dude comes straight out of Top Gun 🔥🔥

  • @alexlapo4986
    @alexlapo4986 Жыл бұрын

    so much freedom on one plane

  • @ownagesniper1

    @ownagesniper1

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes sir, this is a state-of-the-art freedom projectile delivery mechanism.

  • @montemiller3447
    @montemiller34478 ай бұрын

    That was fun! Another dream fulfilled; thanks , Sam and crew>

  • @WengStansWorld
    @WengStansWorld Жыл бұрын

    in the Navy, on a ship, it was taught to us that when transferring a shell from one person to another, we always cradled the round in our arms. The arms would be bent upward at the elbows with the hands pointed to the ceiling, pivot and pass to the next person who also has their arms bent upward with the hands pointed to the ceiling. In this video, the two men passed the round to each other holding the round in the hands....Hand to hand transfer. I have been out of the military for 30 years this month, has the safety procedure changed since then ?

  • @Flatpockets123

    @Flatpockets123

    Жыл бұрын

    its most likely because being in the air vs the sea is different.

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