Nicknamed "the truck killer," the AC-119K gunship and its 
counterpart, the AC-119G, were developed in the late 1960s in 
response to the needs of the U.S. military in Vietnam. This 
important book examines the evolution of these aircraft and their 
role within Vietnam, military policy, and geopolitical realities.

    Drawing on unpublished studies and a host of primary 
materials, William Head discusses the events that led to the 
birth of the AC-119, the planning and modification processes that 
followed, and its operational history. The G model, or "Shadow," 
focused on air support and anti-personnel missions. "Stinger," the 
K model, which could carry more cargo for longer distances, was 
suited for destruction of enemy vehicles.

    Though the AC-119 was only an interim asset, its  
descendants—the AC-130E, H, and U—have played an active 
role in the recent conflict in Iraq.

    A narrative of the crews and pilots who executed the missions 
and the engineers, designers, and the politicians responsible for 
the aircraft, Shadow and Stinger will be of interest to Vietnam 
veterans, historians, and scholars, as well as aviation enthusiasts.

_________________________________________________________

WILLIAM HEAD is chief of the Air Logistics Center Office of 
History at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. He is the 
author of several books on air power. His Ph.D. is from Florida 
State University.


Number 109: Texas A&M University Military History Series



What people are saying about this book

"Head masterfully traces the development and history of the AC-
119G Shadow, and -K Stinger gunship variants. His effort is well 
researched and meticulously documented."—East Texas Historical 
Journal, Fall 2007