Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Spirit 03
AC-130H 69-6567
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
1. Spirit 03 Marker
fourteen Spectre crewmembers reached out and touched
the face of God; they became true Ghostriders
Maj Paul J. Weaver • SSgt Damon V. Kanuha • TSgt Robert K. Hodges
Capt Thomas C. Bland • SSgt Mark J. Schmauss • TSgt John L. Oelschlager
Capt William D. Grimm • SMSgt Paul G. Buege • SSgt Timothy Harrison
Capt Arthur Galvan • SSgt John P. Blessinger • Sgt Barry M. Clark
Capt Dixon L. Walters • SMSgt. James B. May II
Erected by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm.
Location. 30° 24.8′ N, 86° 42.051′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Memorial can be reached from Cody Avenue. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Memorial to the USAF Dead in Operation Eagle Claw (here, next to this marker); A.A.F. / U.S.A.F. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial (here, next to this marker); Jockey - 14 Memorial (here, next to this marker); Medal of Honor Recipients (a few steps from this marker); Combat Talon Aircrew S-59 (a few steps from this marker); Combat Talon Aircrew S-01
this page online
Regarding Spirit 03. Throughout the nights of Jan. 29-31, four gunship crews supported U.S. Marines and special operations forces during the Battle of Khafji. These gunship crews decimated Iraqi targets under heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire, leaving a wake of damaged and destroyed Iraqi vehicles, armor and personnel.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 31, the last AC-130H on station, Spirit 03, had just finished firing on targets near the Saudi/Kuwait border and was hit in the left wing by an Iraqi SA-7 Grail, a man-portable, shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missile. The impact and explosion caused extensive damage to the aircraft. The crew initiated emergency procedures, but 14 seconds after the missile exploded, the left wing failed and the aircraft crashed into the Persian Gulf.
Also see . . .
1. Spirit 03 – Downed AC-130H During Desert Storm. SOF News website entry (Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. AC-130H/U Gunship. Military.Com website entry (Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
2. Area view of Spirit 03 Marker (far left) among others.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
3. A similar AC-130 Spectre (located at Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
