For Those About to Rock: The AC-130

By JIM PURCELL

When it is on the job, the AC-130 makes it rain steel. In short, it's a beast. 

   Lockheed built 47 AC130s within about a 50-year period for the United States Air Force. If an enemy were to see one coming during any of the wars between that time, there was the distinct possibility it would be among the last things they ever saw.

The AC-130 has been on the job since 1967

   The AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport. It has served since 1967, into today. Throughout the life of the AC-130, there have been five variants of it: the AC-130A, AC-130E, AC-130H, AC-130J and AC-130U.

  The AC-130’s wingspan stretches 133 feet and it travels at 299 miles per hour, which is hard to outrun from the ground.

   The armaments aboard the AC-130 says it all. The AC-130A is armed with four 7.62mm GAU-2/A miniguns and four 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons. This variant could also alternately be armed with a “surprise package” of two 7.62mm GAU/2A miniguns, two 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons and two 40mm L/60 Bofors cannons.

   The AC-130E Pave Aegis took armaments to the next level, being equipped with two 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one 40mm L/60 Bofors cannon and one 105mm M102 Howitzer. This array was also used for the AC-130H Spectre gunship.

   During its flight, the AC-130 has an unpressurized cabin, with weaponry mounted to fire from the port side of the fuselage. When the plane is going to attack, its pilots would execute a pylon turn, flying in a large circle around their target. This allowed for the crew to unload the plane’s ordnance for a longer duration than most conventional strafing runs.

The AC-130 opens up against a target

   The AC-130 line of aircraft traces its origins to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio. It was there that the first Hercules C-130 transport was transformed into the offensive monster that is the AC-130. The plane replaced the Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunship.

   The Air Force was seeking a successor to the Spooky in order to improve mission endurance and capacity to carry munitions. The AC-130 was able to accommodate these specifications with ease over the older plane.

   During 2007, the Air Force Special Operations Command initiated a program to upgrade the AC-130’s armaments. The test program planned for the 25mm GAU-12/U and 40mm Bofor cannons on the AC-130U to be replaced with two 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannons. However, this program was canceled the following year, after it was discovered that the Bushmaster cannons did not have the accuracy needed to replace the 25mm GAU-12/U and the Bofor cannons.

   During its long service, the AC-130 has seen service in every American conflict and war, beginning with the Vietnam War. In addition to wartime service, the AC-130 has been called upon for standby during U.S. operations in Central America during the 1980s.

   As time goes by, some things change – and some things don’t. The AC-130’s variants continue to be a force to be reckoned with on modern battlefields. With its potent punch from the sky, it can easily be characterized as ‘the infantryman’s best friend.’

  

The MRE Continues To Be Improved Over The Years

By JIM PURCELL

The Meal-Ready-To-Eat (MRE) was under development beginning in 1963, by the Department of Defense. It would not be until 1981, though, that the ration would become standard field rations for the uniform services. In fact, it was during the development of the MRE that the Department of Defense came up with the Long-Range Patrol (LRP) ration, in 1966, for use by some units during the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

   Each MRE contains about 1200 calories. One of the big advantages of the MRE over its predecessor, which was the canned MCIs, Meal, Combat, Individual Rations (a.k.a. C-Rations), was that the military was getting away from using cans. By moving away from cans, soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines were able to carry more food while in the field, due to the lightweight packaging of the MREs. Every MRE was designed to weigh between 18 and 26 ounces. And, they have a shelf life of at least three years.

   In 1990, MREs incorporated a flameless ration heater, a water-activated exothermic reaction that emits heat and allowed for servicemen and women to have hot meals in the field. Then, in 1994, commercial graphics were included into MRE rations, to make packets more user-friendly and appealing. Biodegradable packaging was also incorporated at that time. Throughout this process, surveys were taken to identify popular and unpopular meal selections among the services. So, in 1981, there was a menu of 12 entrees; by 1996, there were 16 entrees; by 1997, there were 20 entrees; and, by 1998, there were 24 selections for entrees. That number remains the same today, though there are 150 additional items within MREs that make them more palatable.

MREs replaced C-Rations

   Some things worked with MREs and some did not. Case in point: during 2009, 6300 dairy shake packets were recalled because of the presence of Salmonella contamination. Meanwhile, the HOOAH! Bar was developed for specialized units and it has proved to be quite popular.

   Work on dehydrated meals stored in a retort pouch took place during 1975. And, it was so successful that the scientist associated with that work, Dr. Abdul Rahman, would receive a Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his efforts.

   These days, MREs include: an entrée; side dish; dessert or snack; crackers or bread; cheese, peanut butter or jelly spread; powdered beverage mix; utensils; a flameless ration heater; beverage mixing bag; and an accessory pack, which contains chewing gum, a matchbook, napkins, toilet paper, moist towelette, seasonings and dried coffee powder.

   My experience with MREs began in 1983, on a weapons qualification range at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Usually, C-Rations were handed out when the unit was going to have a long day at the range. This time, though, first-generation MREs were handed out. I happened to draw Chicken-Ala-King and the result was violent illness. Some entrees were better than others.

Rations used during World War I

   Fast-forward four years, though, when I was in an infantry battalion in Germany, and the Meatballs in Barbecue Sauce entrée had become a prized acquisition for any soldier seeking a meal.

   Don’t get me wrong, after sampling French field rations, it became very apparent that their entrees just tasted better. While MREs have been designed for an expressed purpose and are good at what they do, there are European countries whose rations are far more palatable than MREs. Still, MREs can go anywhere and feed anyone in any situation. They provide nutrition for many thousands of servicemen and women that keep them healthy and active.

RATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS

   The first ration ever established for use by the military was authorized by Congress during the Revolutionary War. It consisted of enough food to sustain one man for one day and was largely comprised of beef, peas and rice. It was not until the Civil War (1861-1865), though, that the U.S. military would begin its long love affair with canned rations. But, Civil War rations were very basic and were comprised of meat, bread, coffee, sugar and salt.

   During World War I, the latest innovation was the use of salted or dried meats. This made the rations lighter than previously. But, it was during World War II that the world of military rations opened up to a broad spectrum. Not only were foods incorporated into C-Rations, but so was toilet paper and cigarettes.

   In addition, during World War II, Mountain and Jungle rations were also developed for units that were operating in those regions.

MYTH-BUSTING AND THE MRE

   Through the years, some urban legends have surrounded MREs. One of those myths was that the gum in MREs is, in fact, a laxative. It is not. Some people are under the impression that the MRE is diet food….it is not. MREs contain 1200 calories, which is intended to be consumed by persons in a physical environment, who burn a great deal of calories every day.

   One true myth is that MREs contain high dietary fiber, and this could lead to constipation: That is true.

   Since the introduction of the MRE, variants of MREs have been created, among them the Aircrew Build to Order Meal Module (ABOMM). Vegetarian meals, Kosher meals and other changes have been included in MREs also.

   With a substantive history of success behind it, the MRE continues to serve the uniform services. And, there has even been a secondary market, in the civilian world, that has been created for MREs.

   The MRE is an evolution of rations for the U.S. military that has been carefully developed for decades, and continues to be updated and improved for soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines throughout the world.

  

The M16 Through M4: A History

By JIM PURCELL

After World War II, into the 1950s, the United States armed forces was on a search to replace a slew of rifles and weapons being used throughout the uniform services. The weapons considered outdated by the military at that time included: the M1 Garand, M1/M2 carbines, the M3 “Grease Gun” and the Thompson submachine gun.

The M16A1 Rifle with 30-Round Magazine

   The M1 carbine came close to being that weapon, but during the Korean War (1950-1953), the ‘powers that be’ in the various services decided the .30 carbine round was under-powered for what they wanted.

   The idea that drove the creation of the M16 was the need to incorporate some functionality from all the weapons noted, but an “intermediate” round was what was wanted. Prior to the M1 Carbine, the main battle rifle for U.S. forces had been the tried-and-true, semiautomatic M1 Garand. It can be argued it was the weapon that won World War II. It was a relatively heavy weapon, at about 10 pounds, it fired a large round (7.62 x 63mm) and the military wanted a round that was somewhere between the small .30 carb and large-bore 7.62.

The M1 Garand, the rifle that won World War II

            The M16 vs. M14

   Many military veterans would immediately bring up the M-14 rifle, which was also a 7.62mm weapon that was standard issue throughout the military beginning in 1959 and concluding in 1964. Well, the M-16 was the competition for this rifle and the battle of the better rifle was played out on the shores of Southeast Asia, during the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

   Perhaps the most important thing the M16 brought to the table for the military was its round: 5.56x45mm. The upside of this round was not only its punch but its size. It was smaller than the larger, .30 caliber round and more rounds could be carried by soldiers. And, it was a select-fire weapon. That meant the M16 had automatic and semi-automatic settings.

   Essentially, the makers of the M14 and M16 were both working on their prototypes throughout the late 1940s and into the 1950s. But, it was Springfield Armory and its M14, and not Colt and its M16, that came across the finish line first. Still, the benefits of the M16 were compelling to decision-makers throughout the armed forces. And, by 1964, it became standard issue for all the uniformed military services.

The M14 Rifle

   One of the original arguments in favor of the M16 was that it could bring more firepower immediately with its full-automatic feature than the M14 could. Of course, the M14’s larger round had substantially more effective range than the M16’s 5.56 round.

   When I was a young infantryman, going through Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 1983, I had a drill sergeant who said the full-automatic feature to the M16 amounted to “spray and pray mode” and was the abandonment of marksmanship. But, one’s favorite weapon will change with the person, like their politics or sports.

The M16: In The Beginning...

   The original M16A1 was produced with only a 20-round magazine. Of course, by 1969, Colt was producing 30-round magazines for the weapon.

The M16A2 Rifle

   The M16 has its roots in the Armalite AR15. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USAF Gen. Curtis LeMay, saw a demonstration of the AR15 in 1960 and was impressed. Initially, 10 AR15s were sent to Vietnam for use by U.S. soldiers. The reports of the field performance of the weapon were stellar, so 1,000 more AR15s were sent to Vietnam, and they received high marks from soldiers and Marines. The M14 had its proponents, though, and it was only the successor of LeMay, Gen. Maxwell Taylor, who effectively made the argument that there could not be two main battle rifles for the services and that one had to win out over the other to then-president John F. Kennedy. Thus, the story of the M16 and its service to the military began.

The M4 Rifle

   The M14 fired a high velocity round, which often created ‘in and out’ wounds in enemy soldiers. However, bullet fragmentation in the enemy was higher with the M16. This meant that wounds received by enemy soldiers were allegedly more extensive compared to similar wounds made by the M14.

   Any time a weapon is fielded by the military, it goes through product improvements to sort out problems. The M16 had its fair share of problems too. At a rate of two per 1,000 rounds, the M16 was likely to jam initially, earning it the nickname by some as “Jamming Jenny.” But, Colt improved the internal piston system within the M16A1 and the problem was alleviated.

   The M16 was air-cooled, gas operated and magazine fed, with a rotating bolt. The receivers for the weapon are made of 7075 aluminum alloy and its bolt is made of steel. It is a lightweight weapon, at just under 8 pounds and it had a maximum effective range of 460 meters, which made it ideal for jungle fighting.

Gen. Maxwell Taylor was an M16 proponent

       The M16: Rifle Of An Era

   The M16A2 was adopted as the main weapon for the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983, and the U.S. Army in 1986. The M16A2 fires an improved round 5.56x45mm NATO (M855/SS109), and includes improvements to the rear sight aperture and case deflector. The barrel was made heavier and the stock and pistol grips were improved.

   Over time, more improvements were made to the M16 and, in 1998, the M16A4 was fielded by the armed forces, continuing the legacy of service that the M16 rendered to U.S. servicemen and women since the 1960s. Reportedly, 8 million M16s are made annually by Colt, which makes it one of the most-produced weapons in the world.

   One of the most startling changes with the M16 came prior to 2015, when the U.S. Army adopted the M4, which is a shorter, lighter version of the M16. The U.S. Marine Corps went on to adopt the M4 in 2015, and the weapon continues to serve the armed forces as its main battle rifle.  

   Though the M4 is a weapon crafted for conflicts today, it has its roots in the post-World War II race to come up with the best weapon for the latter 20^th century American fighting man and woman. Features of the M16 have been improved and changed over time, but it remains America’s ‘go to’ weapon for land forces.

Staubach Answers Call of Duty Before Becoming NFL Legend

By JIM PURCELL

Roger T. Staubach is known as “Captain America” by friends and fans alike.

Ensign Roger T. Staubach, USN

   Staubach’s resume defies quick description, but includes graduating the U.S. Naval Academy, in 1965; winning the Heisman Trophy, in 1963; becoming the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, in 1969; winning Super Bowls VI and XII; and being named MVP of Super Bowl VI. Yet, among Staubach’s most illuminating lifetime milestones remains his four years of service as a U.S. Navy officer after graduating from Annapolis, including one year’s service in the Vietnam War.

   The future NFL stand-out was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on Feb. 5, 1942. After graduating from Purcell Marian High School, in 1960, Staubach was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961. Once there, Staubach joined the academy’s football team, the Midshipmen, where he won his first game at quarterback in his sophomore season, when the Midshipmen trounced Cornell University’s squad 41-0.

   That same year, with President John F. Kennedy looking on from the stands, Staubach went about guiding Navy to a victory over Army’s team, from the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York, by a score of 34-14.

   During his tenure as the Naval Academy’s quarterback, Staubach completed 292 passes of 463 attempts, and threw for 18 touchdowns, while being intercepted 19 times. In all, Staubach was responsible for gaining a total of 4,253 yards of total offense for the Midshipmen. So respected by his team and teammates, Staubach’s No. 12 jersey was retired by the Naval Academy following his senior year.

Roger Staubach at Chu Lai

   It was no shock when Staubach was selected as the 10^th overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, every graduating cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy is obliged to serve on active duty for four years in the U.S. Navy. Consequently, the Cowboys chose Staubach knowing he could not even put on a Dallas uniform until 1969, when he would be a 27-year-old rookie.

   In a November 11, 2016 interview with ESPN’s Todd Archer, Staubach said how much his service meant to him. He explained that public opinion does not always favor veterans, but it is still vital for Americans to answer the call to serve. 

   As a Navy officer, Staubach did have his challenges. Though born with an amazing arm and football IQ, Staubach was color blind, which limited the career fields he could serve in within the service. In fact, he was limited to the Supply Corps because of his vision. So, upon graduation from the academy, Staubach was commissioned directly into the Supply Corps.

U.S. Base at Chu Lai

   With Staubach being a distinguished graduate of the Naval Academy, he could have requested, and received, any assignment he wanted in the United States. However, he was motivated by far more than personal comfort and safety. That is why he volunteered for, and was assigned to, a post in the Republic of Vietnam, during the height of the war there. 

   While so many of those chosen in the 1964 NFL Draft were just embarking on their professional football careers, Ensign Roger Staubach became a supply officer for the Navy at the Chu Lai base/port, in the Republic of Vietnam. This post provided relief for the Da Nang Air Base, which was about 50 miles away, until 1967. Two years later, after serving the remainder of his active duty term in postings within the United States, Staubach was finally free to enter the NFL, after his honorable completion of service. At the time he left the Navy, Staubach held the rank of full lieutenant.

The Vietnam Service Medal Ribbon

   The storied NFL career of Staubach has become all but the stuff of legend among girdiron fans, but by 1977 the Annapolis graduate was out of sports. No longer the Navy lieutenant or the Cowboy’s captain, Staubach founded the Staubach Company, as its CEO. 

   Staubach later served on the Board of Directors of the United Way and the Board of Advisors of the Children’s Scholarship Fund. He has played an active part in the American Cancer Society and garnered professional recognition as a top executive.

   The story of Roger Staubach is multi-dimensional. However, a key component to the former quarterback’s life is his military service to his country. At a time when it has become common that celebrities and athletes avert military service, Roger Staubach stands as an example of what it means for someone to fully serve their nation, when it is inconvenient as well as when it is convenient.