The AC-130H crew was supporting US Marines during a battle in Khafji, Saudi Arabia.
The 1st Special Operations Wing (SOW) held a 30th-anniversary commemoration service for the deceased crew of Spirit 03 at the Hurlburt Field Air Park on January 29, 2021, as shown in the video in this post. During the ceremony, three AC-130J Ghostriders flew above Hurlburt Field.
As reported in the article 1st SOW commemorate the 30th anniversary of Spirit 03 by Staff Sgt. Lynette Rolen and Senior Airman Dennis Spain, the 14-person crew’s AC-130H Spectre gunship was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile while carrying out a combat mission during Operation Desert Storm on January 31, 1991.
“It’s like losing a member of your family,” said Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bill Walter, Spectre Association historian with Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. “It’s important to let their family members know that they are missed and won’t be forgotten. We never forget.”
While engaged in combat in Khafji, Saudi Arabia, the crew was assisting American Troops. Belonging to the 16th Special Operations Squadron was the AC-130H gunship.
“Spirit 03, tail number 696567 of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, became the 7th AC-130 aircraft to be lost in combat,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Megnia, an evaluator combat systems officer with the 73rd Special Operations Squadron. “We continue to reflect on the names of the lost of Spirit 03.”
The incident caused an Air Force unit to suffer its biggest single loss during Operation Desert Storm. Even though they were socially distant, Hurlburt’s top leadership came together to remember them.
“Circumstances may have left us physically apart, a difficult reminder of the separation from your loved ones you pray could still be here,” said Megnia. “We hope to convey from our military family to yours our everlasting commemoration of their sacrifice and continuing admiration of your strength.”
The crewmembers of Spirit 03:
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
Sergeant Barry Clark
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda Mahoney