2/23/2024 0 Comments Superfighters shadow 77![]() Their crowd dispersion efforts allowed eight U.S. “If we saw anyone try to jump the fence or make a break for it on the runway, we used it to help ground forces to stop them.” “During the rush toward the airfield, we were able to use the spotlight to help friendly forces on the ground,” Bria explained. This feature in particular became helpful as chaos broke out on the airfield, Bria noted. Unique to this gunship in particular, the AC-130J features a precision strike package that includes 30mm and 105mm weapons.Īdditionally, the gunship is equipped with non-lethal, overt lasers that can be used for crowd control and to deter violence. ![]() ![]() “We were there in case things went even worse and a threat came to the Americans, either at the embassy or on the airfield, we would be there, ready for it,” he said.Ī highly modified aircraft, the AC-130J is used to perform close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance missions. Ultimately, the crews on board Shadow 77 and Shadow 78 served as “eyes in the sky,” Bria explained. Shortly after, Shadow 78 arrived on scene to assist in the evacuation efforts. Upon arrival, Shadow 77’s initial mission was to provide overhead support as helicopter crews worked to evacuate the embassy and transport Americans to Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport. “But, as we flew toward Afghanistan, we talked about how we were going to be there as long as we needed to be and as long as leadership would allow us to be there.”Īs the gunship approached Kabul, they could see celebratory gunfire from the Taliban, as well as fireworks in the distance. “We didn’t know how long the night was going to go,” Bria said. Lawrence Bria, aircraft commander of Shadow 77, said the crews had just enough time to quickly grab food, before heading to the gunship to get ready for takeoff. 15, the team assigned to Shadow 77 woke up to a notification telling them to report earlier than planned.Ĭapt. “ it was going to happen at some point and that we were definitely going to be part of it,” said Bachmann. The crews remained on standby to support the U.S. ![]() 15, the gunship crews tracked the latest updates as Taliban forces made advances throughout Afghanistan.Īt the time, the members of the 73rd SOS at Hurlburt Field, were deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. You earned your way onto that by being the best Airmen that you could when the nation called upon you.” “Your name is on the same board with the greats…there’s not many that can say that. “Shadow 77 and Shadow 78 - you own, now, a special place,” said Allvin. David Allvin, alongside Greg Principato, NAA President. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. The trophy, which is administered by the Air Force and the National Aeronautic Association for the “most meritorious flight” of the year by an Air Force person or organization, was presented to the crew by U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. Those members of the 73rd Special Operations Squadron were honored for their efforts as recipients of the 2021 MacKay Trophy during a ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan would go on to last nearly 30 hours combined - resulting in the evacuation of roughly 2,000 Americans. William Bachmann, copilot on board Shadow 78.įor the crews of Shadow 77 and 78, the mission to support the U.S. “There were just cars and people everywhere trying to get on to the airfield,” said 1st Lt. Air Force AC-130J gunship crews of Shadow 77 and Shadow 78 described the scene of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug.
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