# Angel of Death (DD-436)

> The Lockheed AC-130 is a heavily armed ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, first used by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s. Like many military aircraft, it carries flares, pyrotechnic decoys that burn hot to draw infrared-guided missiles away. Released in symmetric patterns, the flare trails can resemble wings, a display sometimes called angel flares. The footage shows an AC-130 releasing flares.

- Department: Military
- First published: 2024-12-21
- Last updated: 2024-12-21
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/angel-of-death/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-436-F01**: Ground-attack C-130 variant. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Aircraft))_
- **DD-436-F02**: Late 1960s, Vietnam War. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Era))_

## Write-up

An AC-130 releasing flares can trace the shape of wings. The flares decoy heat-seeking missiles.

1. **Aircraft**: Ground-attack C-130 variant.
2. **Era**: Late 1960s, Vietnam War.
3. **Flares**: Decoy heat-seeking missiles.
4. **Pattern**: Can resemble wings.
5. **Operator**: U.S. Air Force.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Angel of Death: An AC-130 Releasing Flares Can Trace the Shape of Wings

- Duration: 24.5 s · Published: 2024-12-21
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DD3gHQKNmfW.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know the Lockheed AC-130, a heavily armed ground attack aircraft, uses flares as the defensive countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles? These flares are pyrotechnic devices designed to burn hotter than the aircraft's engines, effectively distracting infrared-guided missiles away from the AC-130. When deployed, the flares create a spectacular display of bright, burning trails, commonly referred to as angel wings, due to their shape when released in a defensive maneuver. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What aircraft is the AC-130 based on?**  
A: Transport. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Aircraft) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130)_

**Q: What do flares decoy?**  
A: Infrared. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Era) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130)_

**Q: When was it first used?**  
A: Vietnam War. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flares) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure))_

**Q: What can flare trails resemble?**  
A: Angel. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pattern) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure))_

**Q: Who operates it?**  
A: Special operations. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Operator) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130)
- [Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flare_(countermeasure))

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Angel of Death." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-436, last updated Dec 21, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/angel-of-death/