US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship strikes targets in Iraq

A US Air Force (USAF) AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has struck targets in Iraq, in response to an attack on American forces in the country.

The aircraft "attacked an Iran-backed militant group after the group used a ballistic missile to attack US and coalition forces on Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq," the deputy Pentagon press secretary, Sabrina Singh said.

She added during a briefing at the Pentagon: "The ballistic missile attack resulted in non-serious injuries to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as minor damage to infrastructure on the installation."

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The deputy Pentagon press secretary added: "Immediately following the attack, a US military AC-130 aircraft in the area conducted a self-defense strike against an Iranian-backed militia vehicle and a number of Iranian-backed militia personnel involved in this attack.

"This self-defense strike resulted in some hostile fatalities," she added.

Singh said the AC-130 gunship was able to mount a response so quickly because it was already in the air at the time of the missile attack.

"We were able to identify the point of origin of these attacks because an AC-130 was up already in the area and therefore was able to respond," Singh said.

"They were able to take action because they saw the militants. They were able to keep an eye on the movement of these militants as they moved into their vehicles and that's why they were able to respond." 

'We always reserve the right to respond'

Since October 17, US forces have been attacked 66 times in both Iraq and Syria, said Singh.

She also said this is the first time a ballistic missile similar to the one used in this attack has been employed.

Since the start of those attacks in October, the US has mounted three other strikes, Singh said.

But those strikes were pre-planned and targeted specific facilities and infrastructure known to be used by militias affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

This most recent US response was different in that it was unplanned. 

"These groups have targeted our forces [in] both Iraq and Syria," Singh said.

"We feel right now that we've taken appropriate action to decimate some of their facilities and some of their weapons...We always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing."

AC-130J Ghostrider

According to the USAF, "the AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that contains many advanced features".

It contains an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics and is capable of extremely accurate navigation due to its fully integrated navigation systems.

The USAF says the Ghostrider is modified with the 'Precision Strike Package', which includes a mission management console, robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, precision-guided munitions delivery capability, as well as trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons.

Its primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.

The AC-130J also provides ground forces with a direct-fire platform that is persistent, suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets.