During Operation Desert Storm, the AC-130H Spectre gunship, callsign “Spirit 03,” played a pivotal role in providing close air support to Coalition forces. On January 31, 1991, during the Battle of Khafji, Spirit 03 was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile, resulting in the tragic loss of all 14 crew members.
The Battle of Khafji marked the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. Iraqi forces advanced into the Saudi Arabian town of Khafji, aiming to gain a strategic foothold. In response, Coalition forces, including U.S. Marines and Saudi Arabian units, launched a counteroffensive to reclaim the city. AC-130 gunships, renowned for their heavy firepower and close air support capabilities, were instrumental in this effort.
Spirit 03 was one of three AC-130s providing nighttime support during the battle. As dawn approached on January 31, the other two gunships departed due to increased risk from enemy air defenses. Despite the heightened danger, Spirit 03 remained on station to support Marines engaged in combat. Tragically, as daylight broke, the aircraft was struck by a shoulder-fired Strela-2 (SA-7) missile, leading to its crash into the Persian Gulf and the loss of all aboard. This incident represented the largest single loss of life for the U.S. Air Force during Operation Desert Storm.
The sacrifice of the Spirit 03 crew underscored the perils faced by aircrews in combat and highlighted the need for advancements in aircraft survivability. In the years following the incident, the U.S. Air Force implemented enhanced countermeasures and tactics to protect gunship crews from similar threats. No AC-130 has been lost to enemy fire since the downing of Spirit 03.
The heroism and dedication of the Spirit 03 crew continue to be honored within the Air Force Special Operations community. Memorial ceremonies and flights are conducted annually to commemorate their sacrifice and to remind current and future Airmen of the profound cost of freedom.
During Operation Desert Storm, the United States Air Force lost 20 service members due to hostile action. The crew of Spirit 03 constituted the majority of those losses. Spirit 03 was part of the 16th Special Operations Squadron based at Hurlburt Field.
The tragic downing “Spirit 03,” resulted in the loss of 14 dedicated U.S. Air Force Special Operations Personnel. The crew members were:
- Maj. Paul Weaver
- Capt. Cliff Bland
- Capt. Arthur Galvan
- Capt. William Grimm
- Capt. Dixon Walters
- Senior Master Sgt. Paul Buege
- Senior Master Sgt. James May
- Tech. Sgt. Robert Hodges
- Tech. Sgt. John Oelschlager
- Staff Sgt. John Blessinger
- Staff Sgt. Timothy Harrison
- Staff Sgt. Damon Kanuha
- Staff Sgt. Mark Schmauss
- Sgt. Barry Clark
Special Operations Warrior Foundation is proud to support 15 children of these brave Special Operations Warriors. We thank them for their sacrifice and service.
Source:
- SOF News – https://sof.news/history/spirit-03-downed-ac-130h-during-desert-storm/
- Task & Purpose – The AC-130 Gunship Lost in Desert Storm https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-ac-130-gunship-crash-desert-storm-spirit-03
- U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) – Spirit 03 Memorial Flight o https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2939660/16th-sos-conducts-spirit-03-memorial-flight/
