Air Force Special Operations Command Lands AC-130 on Arkansas Highway

Ghostrider on the Highway: AFSOC’s Bold Move in Emerald Warrior 2024 Proves Runways Are Optional

The date was August 4th, 2024. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) performed a maneuver for the first time. They safely landed an AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship on a public highway in the United States. The road was Highway 63 near Bono, Arkansas.

The highway landing was performed as part of Emerald Warrior Field Training Exercise II, which was intended to give the Air Force Special Operations Community an opportunity to hone their skills. In particular, it was to show off their Agile Combat Employment, or ACE, talents.

Regarding the exercise, Tech. Sgt. Robert Gallagher, lead planner of the demonstration, stated,

“This exercise is a significant milestone for AFSOC, demonstrating our ability to operate in diverse and austere environments.”

He went on to say that “by leveraging ACE concepts, we enhance our operational flexibility and resistance.”

To prepare for this historic first, Special Tactics Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Wing made sure the road was safe to land on. One would assume that this included closing the road to civilian traffic. Can you imagine driving down a rural highway in Arkansas only to look up and see a C-130 bearing down on you? You may have to get your seats cleaned after that one.

After the Gunship landed, the Air Force followed that up with an MC-130J Commando II and a C-146A Wolfhound, both from the 492nd Special Operations Wing.

A word from the Special Operations Wing (SOW) commander:

“Emerald Warrior FTX (Field Training Exercise) II demonstrates to our adversaries that we can meet them anytime, any place, anywhere, without the need for traditional runways to project air power. By landing an AC-130J on a highway and conducting FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point), we’re proving our ability to operate in austere and unique environments. It shows our commitment to maintaining operational flexibility and readiness, ensuring we can deliver decisive airpower whenever and wherever it’s needed.”

The objective of this unique exercise was to train Air Crews on what are called “runway agnostic” operations. As you might imagine, this has nothing to do with religious points of view.

In the Air Force, a runway agnostic operation refers to the capability of conducting air operations without being dependent on traditional, well-maintained runways. This concept involves using aircraft that can take off and land on a variety of surfaces, such as dirt roads, highways, or unpaved airstrips, rather than relying solely on established airbases with paved runways.

The goal of runway agnostic operations is to enhance flexibility and survivability in contested environments where traditional runways may be damaged, unavailable, or within reach of enemy forces. By using these alternative locations, the Air Force can maintain operational tempo, extend its reach into remote or austere environments, and reduce the predictability of its operations. This capability is particularly valuable in expeditionary warfare and rapid deployment scenarios.

These Special Operations Airmen have proven that they can work well in contested spaces that may be under threat from the enemy and where traditional airfields may not exist. They are among the best in the world at their jobs.

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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.