[This article originally appeared in a July 1973 issue of the Phantom Flyer, the official USAF newspaper of Ubon RTAFB, the home of the 16th Special Operations Squadron.]
When Spectre Zero Three hit the chocks at 9:15 p.m. July 6, the 16th Special Operations Squadron completed its 1000th consecutive combat mission as fragged, thereby establishing a record throughout the Air Force for outstanding achievement and mission accomplishment.
On the history making crew were Maj. William Hyde, Captain Michael Schoch, Lt.Col James Smith, Lts. Duane Walker, James Kyle, David Couchlin, Clive Monjo, SMSgt. Frederick Brenner, TSgts William Patterson, Joe Jeter, Harvey Nelson, SSgts. J. B. Moody, James F. West, and Russell Doers. SSgt Ronald Coke is the crew chief for the AC-130 which made the historic flight, and the assistant crew chief on the aircraft, 014, SSgt. John Melton.
On hand for the traditional champagneing were Col. F. A. Humphreys, Wing Commander, Col. Harry W. Williamson, Spectre commander, Col. Merl G. Hutto, Wing Director of Logistics, and a large assortment of well wishing officers and NCOs.
In 1969, when the 16th became operational, they struck vehicles on over half their missions in averaged 10 destroyed or damaged vehicles per mission. The AC-130 Gunship was credited with destroying or damaging more vehicles than any other weapons system in Southeast Asia.
Those records were shattered with an even more sterling performance of following year. With the introduction of bigger guns, finer sensing devices and complex fire control computers, the Gunship's fire power has become even more accurate and deadly.
The system was first devised as a weapon for close support for ground troops, and 014 was doing just that on its milestone mission on July 6. The mission's effectiveness can best be summed up in the words of the ground commander that the crew was working with that night. In broken English, he relayed the following remarks to the crew "...Good Shooting, Spectre...you hit right on target...please come back tomorrow".
Col. Williamson, Commander of "The Fabulous Four Engine Fighters", said the abort rate was a testimony to the fine work being done by the entire maintenance and supply complexes as well as the AC-130 crew members and crew chiefs. He said that never in his Air Force career had he worked with a finer group of men and woman.
Last edited 09/18/04.