This
is the true story of Master
Sergeant David M. Burns, an aerial
gunner assigned to the deadliest
squadron in air force history.
Aboard the AC-130 Spectre gunship,
he flew a total of 287 combat
missions over Laos, South Vietnam,
and Cambodia, in pursuit of the
truck traffic coming down the Ho Chi
Minh Trail. His squadron destroyed
more than fifteen thousand trucks
loaded with war munitions destined
for South Vietnam and Cambodia.
Despite heavy and constant
anti-aircraft and missile fire, the
loss of six aircraft and the lives
of fifty-two men, the crew never
wavered in its dedication to the
mission.
Master Sergeant Burns has a
distinguished military career that
began in 1951 at the age of fifteen.
He served one tour of duty in Phan
Rang, South Vietnam, in 1967, and
four tours of duty in the 16th
Special Operations Squadron in
Southeast Asia as an aerial gunner,
lead gunner, and instructor gunner.
He served in both the United States
Navy and Air Force, earning three
Distinguished Flying Crosses for
heroism, twenty-seven Air Medals, as
well as a Bronze Star, Purple Heart,
Presidential Unit Citation, Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm,
Vietnam Service Medal with nine
battle stars, and other decorations
from the Korean War. He was wounded
twice and is credited with saving
the lives of fourteen crewmembers.
This is his story.
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By
Jeff Noecker
Callsign:
Spectre is the true story of a
young man from a small town in
Pennsylvania who grows up and
enlists in the United States Air
Force at nineteen. Nearly forty
years after the fact, Jeff Noecker
recounts his combat flight
experiences from the Vietnam War
flying in an AC-130 Spectre gunship.
The story follows him from his
initial air force training to being
accepted into an unusual Special
Operations unit. |
GRENADA
GRINDER
Retired
Spectre Pilot Mike Couvillon has a new book he wrote on sale
centered on Spectre and the Liberation of Grenada! The
book is available through a link on his website:
http://www.grenadagrinder.com/
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"The Fence" by Bill Morales
www.rayvaquero.com/
An AC-130 Gunship novel.
"The Fence is a hard
hitting and accurate account of the heroism of the brave
airmen that flew the AC-130 Spectre Gunship during the
Vietnam War. A must read selection for Special Operations
enthusiasts."
- Hugh Hunter,
Colonel, USAF [Ret] Commander 1st Special Operations |
The
Four Little Children: A Likely Story by
Larry Michalove, Lt Col (ret) USAF (Spectre
Nav 70/71)
While in
the Squadron, I wrote nightly letters to my wife, Sybil,
and periodically included in them bedtime stories that she
could read to our four little children. Fortunately, Sybil
saved all of my letters and in 1986 I decided to compile
these stories so that each child could have their own copy.
In 2004 one of my grandchildren asked her mother to read the
stories to her kindergarden class and I was invited in to
read the final two chapters. Their teacher liked them so
much that she suggested that I have them published. I did
just that and they were finally first published in 2005.
They were subsequently republished in 2007. The storybook
(some 180 pages), The Four Little Children - A
Likely Story, was selected by the Military Writers
Society of America (MWSA) as their 2005 Distinguished
Book Award for Children's Literature. |
"GUNSHIPS:
The Story of Spooky, Shadow, Stinger and Spectre,"
published by Specialty Press, 2009. Wayne Mutza |
 
Flight Line: The Adventures of a Vietnam-Era AC-130 Crew Chief
by Thomas R. Combs (Author)
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Those who join AFTWS which is exclusive to active serving,
veteran and retired USAF, USAAF and ANG personnel, have the
opportunity to find other Wingmen with whom they served, share
memories and enjoy the camaraderie of other Airmen. |

me Lasers in Destin, FL is
the trophy shop that supplied us with the awesome wine glasses
at the reunion and maker of the really cool Laser-Etched Beer
Mugs.
They can put the Spectre Logo and your name on
almost ANYTING! Give them a call!
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The Armed Forces Military Museum located in Largo, FL is a
501(c) (3), not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated
to preserving our military history and educating our current
and future generations as to the sacrifices made by so many
to preserve our freedom. Visit the unique displays
illustrating World War I, World War II, D-Day Landings, the
Attack on Pearl Harbor, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts.
The Armed Forces Military Museum houses one of the largest
collections of military memorabilia, equipment and vehicles
in the state of Florida. |
MetzgerMemorials.com
Memorial site, which is dedicated by Lauren
Metzger to her father, Capt. Langford C. Metzger, and to all
the men who served with him during his Sixteen year military
career. A huge thanks to Lauren for building this
wonderful tribute to her father. |

Brenda Grubbs is the wife of Bill Grubbs (Retired Spectre Pilot)
and former IHRA World Champion and still active on both the NHRA
and IHRA circuits with Bill as her Crew Chief! Awesome! |
S.K.
Knives, L.L.C.
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Federation of American Scientists
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ac-130.htm
AC-130H Spectre Gunship information, specifications, photos and resources.
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Herky Nose Art
www.herkynoseart.com/noseart4.html
A gallery of Gunship nose art.
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Don Schiele's Photo Gallery
http://www.back-n-front.com/bnfsetup.cfm?state=AF16&ebay=A
91 photos of Don's tour in Southeast Asia, including the trip over there and the survival training.
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Gunship Photo Gallery
www.gunships.org/coppermine/index.php
An online gallery of Gunship-related photos.
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American Civil War 1861-1865 and slavery history.
There are also a lot of letters and diaries about how it was in
the war, this site is growing all the time.
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Unofficial USAF HH43B/F "Pedro" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue
http://hh43b-husky.net/
|

AerialGunner.com
Wes Field's USAF Site dedicated to Spectre and Law Enforcement |
MAJOR CURTIS DANIEL MILLER
TRIBUTE PAGE |
Many veterans will have
the need to file for Social Security Disability benefits. The
Social Security and Disability Resource Center website (www.ssdrc.com)
provides answers to questions concerning how to apply for
disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how
to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain
mistakes that are commonly made by applicants filing for either
SSD (social security disability) or SSI (supplemental security
income) benefits. |

I'm proud to serve my country
with nearly 23 years in the air force. 17 years as an enlisted
medic on c-130's-doing med evac, and got my commission in 2006.
i am working as an er nurse at nellis afb. so, you say, why am
i contacting you? i've been skating roller derby for just under
two years and have been skating this last 8 months under the
name "AERIAL SPECTRE" in honor of SPIRIT 03...Im a desert
storm vet-deployed to saudi- as well as enduring and iraqi
freedom with 5 deployments so far. anyhoo, my husband--a
retired c-5 elan guy and first sgt--suggested that i write to
you and check out your online store. i skate for the fabulous
sin city rollergirls here in las vegas under the name Aerial
Spectre and my number is ac130. (cant use caps on the ac per
rules). i love to tell people why i chose the name and skate
with pride. i was recently drafted to the flying aces home team
and am stoked for our season opener jan 28th
http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=27 |
 
Custom Gun Rail Covers
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PJ Cook's Commercial Aerial Drone Company,
FAA Licensed Part 107 Remote Pilot
We are a Aerial and Ground Photography and Videography Buisness
www.OverheadRealEstate.com
Also www.tampabaydrones.com
PJ
Cook Web Designs & Photography
YOUR Web Designer!
and...USAF Ret Spectre
Lead
Gunner
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