GUNSHIP EVOLUTION

Thank you for your article describing the history of the fixed-wing gunship [September]. I had the pleasure of being a charter member of the 14th Field Maintenance Squadron, stationed at Phan Rang Air Base in 1969-70. We supported the 17th Special Operations Squadron AC-119G, call sign Shadow, and 18th SOS AC-119K, call sign Stinger.

These aircraft were the weapon systems most feared by the NVA in Vietnam. They replaced the AC-47, call sign Puff, stationed