When I first came across this image on the right, I thought it was from a lost Aliens scene. But it is real. That's Staff Sgt. Sarah Mrak, from the 4th Special Operations Squadron. And she's inside a U.S. Air Force AC-130U aerial gunship.
Yes, an flying gunship. With real cannons. Motherbloodydancing 25mm, 40mm and 105mm side firing cannons, designed to destroy targets on the ground from the air. These planes were developed from the C-130 Hercules, evolving through numerous variants since their inception in the late 60s. The latest model—which appears in these images—is the AC-130U, which was originally introduced in 1995 for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. One scary flying beast indeed.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock
by Jesus Diaz
