AC-130 Gunship Turns Highway into Runway: Historic First Landing and Takeoff

In a historic first, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command successfully landed an AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship on Highway 63 in Bono, Arkansas, on August 4, 2024.

First, an MC-130J Commando II and a C-146A Wolfhound landed on the five-lane highway. The AC-130J Gunship then landed, refueled, rearmed, and took off again.

Film Credits: U.S. Air Force

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

[herberthallum]

Trooper Byrd would have a difficult time performing that PIT maneuver on this bird. LMAO

[StreuB]

Ghostrider doing a 3-point u-turn on a highway out in the bean fields is something to behold, no question.

[larryp]

As a former Loadmaster on the C-130 I can confirm that this aircraft is the most bad ass airplane in the world. It’s the only aircraft that are still being produced even though they have retired other older models of the same type.

[amossnowdaharleyman]

130 doing a 180 degree turn within its length. OK, I'm impressed.

[gilbertrainey-bcsg]

My congratulations to each pilot for perfect landings and takeoffs! Our USAF is the best.😀

[AFmedic]

This 74 yr old is laughing my ass off at how people in 2024 are thinking.... "WOW! This is so cool!"., and totally amazed by this.
Most people think that our Interstate System was designed for the travel convenience of the citizens. NO it wasn't. Eisenhower saw how the German Autobahn was used for and stood up to the heavy use of Military Troop and Supply movement in WWII and basically said, "We gotta get one of those.!" Essentially, the Interstate system was a Military Defense project. The fact that it made traveling more convenient for the citizens was just an added bonus and NOT the primary intent.
Even back in the 1950's & 1960's we knew that periodically there were purposely designed long straight sections with NO obstructions above and on either side to facilitate the landing/takeoff of Military Aircraft.

[Thomas_Everman]

I will always be impressed by the 130's short takeoff distance.

[marclovelace]

The MCJ eats 5-lane highways for breakfast. We've been working in/out of dirt strips in the middle of nowhere for years.

[sethmarkowitz]

Lol the AC-130 really did a 3-point turn on the highway☠

[bluskytoo]

I spent 24 years with this aircraft. Several types of 130. I have to say i loved my job. I was a Flight Engineer on E/H’s. It was absolutely fun 90 % of the time. The MC-130E was my fav.

[davidatovar]

ANYWHERE, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE, AIR POWER, AIR FORCE !

[karstendoerr]

There were often things like that during the Cold War. It's called an emergency landing strip on the road. If the road is a highway, then it is called a highway makeshift airfield. Even during the Higway 84 exercise in 1984, a C130 landed on a German highway. Extra sections of the highway were built and parking areas for aircraft were set up on each lane.

[joevalencic]

Loaded out a lot of 130’s, 141’s and C5s in my four years in air freight… mostly at Incirlik, Turkey for 18 months. Worked the first C5 that landed at Scott AFB when it was MAC headquarters. USAF, ‘69-‘75 Great memories that have lasted a lifetime.❤

[stevesapp]

Good thing they beat feet before Trooper Byrd arrived.

[robertweldon]

Seeing this reminded me of two things'
1. My personal experience being in a C-130E during a Max performance take off, quite thrilling (Barf bag required for me)
2. Why rural Interstate highways have 5 mile straight stretches, with no overhead obstructions.
Cool observation' How many big aircraft can you turn around like a car on a narrow road? Not many, but a Hercules can.

[richardkennedy]

Retired Air Force and this was one of my favorite planes to load and fly on. The cargo version.

[hawkuser]

I remember as a paratrooper with the 82nd spending much time with the C-130. I flew in an E model on it's last mission before it went to the bone yard according to the load master back in the 90's. May it rest in peace.

[pauldillinger]

That was bad ass. Wish i could have seen that in person. You guy are so awesome. God bless you all and God bless America.

[Machines.In.Action]

This landing shows the incredible versatility of the AC-130J Gunship. Impressive!

[munetugu]

It’s astonishing that the AC-130 gunship can take off and land on a highway. This greatly expands its operational advantages.