U.S. Air Force / Gunships - Special Forces Detachment A-502

U.S. Air Force gunships like this customized C-47 belched a hailstorm of hot copper and lead from pitch black Vietnamese skys. The deep dronning roar of their guns were a welcomed sound to friendly troops on the ground. However, for enemy soldiers, it was often the last sound they heard. And . . . so it was one night in early 1969.

A-502's Soui Dau outpost was located along highway QL1 in the valley running from Camp Trung Dung to Cam Ranh Bay. In January of 1969, Suoi Dau came under an intense enemy attack. When the scope of the attack became apparent, the camp's senior American advisor called Trung Dung for support. Along with troop reinforcements, which were launched immediately, Trung Dung requested air support for Soui Dau. Among those rushing to the outpost's aid was the AC-47, affectionately referred to as "Spooky." Pouring a stream of gunfire so heavy that it could cut down trees, the AC-47 delivered its deadly munitions into and around Soui Dau's perimeter.

Because of the intensity of the attack, there was a real concern that the small camp might be overrun and fall to the enemy. VC and NVA solders did, in fact, make it through Soui Dau's protective outter wire and inside the perimeter. However, when the first light of morning illuminated the camp, it revealled the many enemy bodies cut down by Spooky. Aided in large part by the support of Spooky, Soui Dau team members held and repelled the enemy attack.

As in countless other cases, the arrival of Spooky, an A-502 support aircraft, saved lives and very likely kept Soui Dau from being overrun. However, Spooky was much more than a modified C-47. At it's heart was a skilled and determined U.S. Air Force pilot and crew to whom the members of A-502 are deeply indebted.

Click on Spooky to visit an Air Force site that details this gunship's operations. To restart Spooky's guns and hear what those on the ground heard, center the AC-47 on your screen, then click your "Refresh" button.