December 15, 1964

Taking off from Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, Capt. Jack Harvey and a crew of six-aided by test manager Capt. Ronald W. Terry-makes the first combat mission in the Douglas FC-47 (later redesignated AC-47) gunship, attacking enemy sampan, buildings, trails, and suspected jungle staging areas. A C-47 transport modified with three side firing General Electric SUU-11A 7.62 mm miniguns, the gunships, soon to be known by their radio call sign “Spooky,” were an instant success.