US Special Operations Aircraft Dominating the Skies Over the Korean Peninsula [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo]

The latest U.S. special operations aircraft AC-130J "Ghostrider," known as the "Warship of the Sky," participated in the South Korea-U.S. joint air training held from the 17th to the 20th.

This training, conducted across various locations on the Korean Peninsula, focused on "Close Air Support" (CAS), providing firepower support from aircraft such as fighter jets to ground forces engaged in operations. About 10 aircraft participated, including the U.S. AC-130J, South Korea's Air Force F-15K, KF-16, FA-50 fighters, and KA-1 airborne control attack aircraft.

The AC-130J is a modified version of the U.S. Air Force's large transport aircraft C-130J, designed to support special forces operating on the ground with firepower, as well as perform armed reconnaissance and other missions. It is equipped with 30mm and 105mm cannons and can utilize various armaments such as AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and GBU-39 small diameter precision-guided bombs. This is the second time the AC-130J has been deployed to the Korean Peninsula since March of last year.