AC-130J Ghostrider Showcases Firepower in SINKEX

The recent Rim Of The Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise showcased the formidable firepower of the U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, particularly during a dramatic sinking exercise (SINKEX) in the Pacific. On July 11, the AC-130J, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, demonstrated its lethal capabilities by firing its 30mm cannon and 105mm howitzer at the ex-USS Dubuque, an Austin-class amphibious warfare ship decommissioned in 2011. The ex-Dubuque, which once had a fully loaded displacement of nearly 17,000 tons, was sent to the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Hawaii, as part of the larger biennial RIMPAC exercise. This exercise underscores the shifting focus of the U.S. military from counter-insurgency operations to preparing for high-end conflicts, particularly against adversaries like China.