The Lockheed AC-130H has participated in many notable combat operations since the end of the Vietnam War including the attempted rescue of the crew of the USS Mayaguez in 1975, the Grenada operation in October 1983, Operation Just Cause in Panama (1989-1990), Operation Desert Storm in Iraq (1991), Operation Restore Hope in Somalia (1993-1994), and Operation Deliberate Force in Bosnia (1995). On January 31, 1991, the first AC-130H was lost in combat supporting coalition forces engaged in ground combat during the battle of Khafji in Operation Desert Storm. A second aircraft supporting operations in Somalia was lost on March 15, 1994 when its 105-mm cannon exploded while the aircraft was airborne.

Credits - U.S. Air Force Museum