AC-130J Ghostrider takes to the skies
Capt. Steve Visalli, a flight test engineer with the 413th Flight Test Squadron, boards the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider in anticipation of its first official sortie Jan. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin in January 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. A total of 32 MC-130J prototypes will be modified as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)