I was reading through a book on the Vietnam War and come across a picture of a AC-130 Most powerful gunship, it's armory comprises a 105mm Howitzer, a 40mm cannon, 2 by 20mm cannon and 2 7.62mm Miniguns, with optional grenade dispenser, bombs, rockets and missles.
Who would have manned the Howitzer?
How effective would the howitzer been, hitting a target on the move must of took some skill?

Hi Mark,

Yes, US Air Force personnel man the AC-130. Here is a link that can tell you lots about them.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ac-130u.htm

Sincerely,
Brian

If we can see it, We will hit it . The 105 and 40mm wre put in the AC-130 to kill truck sized targets. It does not matter if they are moving or not They would still be killed

Brain,
Thanks for that, very interesting!

Where do they do there Artillery trainning, the 105mm crew?

Mark,

I think they are stationed in Florida and involved with special forces.

Sincerely,
Brian

There are a few other places where SF SOTACs coordinate with Air Force to do CAS as well-YPG in Arizona, and Camp Guernsey, Wyoming.

The gunners are sent to Ft Sill, OK, home of the Field Artillery, to get their training on the 105mm Howitzer itself. Live-fire training can be conducted on most posts that have large training /impact areas. We use AC-130's here at Ft Irwin, CA. They were also used at Ft Hood, TX and Ft Stewart, GA when I was at both posts. They usually work with Spec Ops and light troops, but are being integrated with most units now because of their usefulness in Iraq and Afghanistan. A great piece of equipment.

Even without the Howitzer i would hate to have one on my tail!
It looks like only the soft ware has changed since Vietnam era!

The mini guns and the 20mm guns are no longer installed on the aircraft. the 20mm guns have been replaced with one 25mm gun, And we never carried any type of bomb or missile just dont have the room for them