16th Special Operations Squadron

	AC-130A - This is a drawing of the original interior design. There were 4x7.62 mm guns and 4x20 mm Vulcans. Note the Illuminator at the rear on the ramp. That was later removed as being unnecessary for Laos.
	Operation Building - 16th SOS at Ubon in the 1968-69 period. This was our first Ops Bldg at Ubon. Note the sign over the door meant to infuriate the 8th TFW which flew the F-4s out of Ubon. "The Fabulous Four Engine Fighters of the Wolfpack". [The 8th TFW.] In the beginning we were just one of the tenants, but after our success on the trails in Laos, we gained the respect of the 8th TFW and all others.
	Admin Staff - 16th SOS at Ubon in the 1968-69 period. Ft Row l-r ?/Col Tom Simone, Commander/Maj Charles Spicka, Sqd. Exec. Officer/? Bk Row l-r ?/?/?/?/?
	Pilots - The pilots who were first sent to Ubon to form the 16th SOS in Nov. of 1968. Ft Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7?/8? Bk Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7?/8?
	Navigators - The first Navs. who were sent to Ubon to form the 16th SOS in Nov. '68. They were Navigators by qualification, but they mostly ran the multiple sensors we had on the Gunship. We always had four or five Navs. on each mission. Ft Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7? 2nd Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6? 3rd Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7? 4th Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7?
	Flight Engineers - These men were key to the success of our Spectre missions. They made sure the aircraft was ready for the mission and then performed the critical role of keeping everything up and running during the mission. The FE's were also the guys who brought the various guns online at the direction of the aircraft commander. They were a very important part of the Spectre Gunship crew.
	Illuminator Operators - They operated the large light we had in the back of the Gunship used to light Special Forces camps when we were on a Close Air Support mission. Since most of our missions were Interdiction against truck traffic on the Trails in Laos, the IO's spent most of their time flat on their belly looking over the open ramp calling out AAA as it came up at our aircraft. Very gutsy guys. As the enemy began to use SA-7s and other heat seeking missiles, these IO's used flares to divert the enemy missiles aimed at us. It was a very dangerous but critical job. We all often depended on the IO's for our survival. Ft Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?/6?/7? 2nd Row l-r 1?/2?/3?/4?/5?
	Gunners - Group #1 - These guys manned the guns, cleared problems and shoveled brass after the mission. It was a tough job and often dangerous while taking AAA. There were generally 5 or 6 gunners per mission. Most had never flown before. It was a brand new experience for them. Top that off with combat in a new aircraft that was only flown at night. The gunners became a competent group of fine men.
	Gunners - Group #2
	Photographers - This picture is of the original photographers that flew missions from Jun 69 to Nov 69. After that, we had several more photographers come on board. We were attached to the 16th SOS. We flew on every mission. We attended all the briefing just like any other member of a crew. Everyday, we would check our equipment, our NODS and get ready for the nights missions. We did our photography while over the targets. Most of the photographers after we started to RTB would help the gunners shovel brass. Once on the ground, we would stow our gear in our lockers in the 16th SOS locker room. We would then go to our building, Det 3, 600th Photo Sq and re-wind our film and turn it over to the processors. After processing, it was bundled and put on the courier flight to be sent to the Congress and Senate for viewing everyday. It had to be ready for the early pick-up flight. Adrian (Phil) Hawkshead.