ghostrider over mobile bay

Ghostrider in the sky: A true machine of war, a US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J Ghostrider flies patterns over Mobile Bay Tuesday afternoon. Built by Lockheed Martin, the four engine C-130J provides air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Used by special operations and conventional forces throughout the world, the C130 is a heavily armed aircraft capable of carrying canons, bombs, Hellfire missiles and more. With weapons mounted to fire from the port side of the aircraft, the gunships can fly in circles while firing, allowing crews to fire for longer periods of time compared to a conventional strafing attack. Earlier versions of the aircraft were used extensively for warfare in Vietnam. Powered by Rolls Royce turboprops, the C-130J has a range of 3,000 miles and a unit cost of $165 million. A squadron of the aircraft operates at Hurlburt Field by Fort Walton Beach, FL. Photo shot from Fairhope, about 8,000 feet below the aircraft…