HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. \u2014 \u00a0<\/p>\n

The 1st Special Operations Wing introduced a new 30 mm ammunition-linking machine at Hurlburt Field\u00a0on April 21, 2026,\u00a0an innovation set to save the Air Force millions by repurposing rounds from retiring A-10\u00a0Thunderbolt IIs for use on AC-130J\u00a0Ghostriders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The initiative stems from the planned future retirement of the A-10, which will leave millions of 30 mm rounds without an assigned platform. The Air Force plans to transfer\u00a0several hundred thousand\u00a0of those rounds a year to\u00a0Air Force Special Operations Command\u00a0for use on the\u00a0gunships.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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However, this transfer presented\u00a0a logistical hurdle: the A-10 employs unlinked ammunition, while the AC-130J requires continuous belts for automatic, high-rate feeding.\u00a0The new machine\u00a0bridges this gap by\u00a0connecting\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a015 rounds in seconds,\u00a0shifting munitions management directly into the hands of Airmen rather than expensive external vendors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

AFSOC has forged a partnership with the 116th Maintenance Squadron at Robins Air Force Base to accelerate operational efficiency. By integrating the specialized\u00a0manpower\u00a0and dedicated logistical infrastructure of the 116th MXS, this strategic initiative enhances our operational footprint while securing approximately $4 million in annual cost savings for the Air Force,\u00a0directly reinvesting resources into warfighter readiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cVendors wanted roughly $9 million to do 200,000 rounds,\u201d said a\u00a0munitions functional manager\u00a0assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019ll just cost the command\u00a0around $10,000 in\u00a0shipping charges to move ammo, but it\u2019s a direct-cost savings.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The increased availability of ammunition\u00a0will\u00a0also support more consistent training among aircrews, increasing operational effectiveness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cCurrently, we\u2019ve restricted the air crews on how much ammo they can shoot,\u201d said the munitions functional manager. \u201cBeing able to bring on all these extra millions of rounds from the A-10, we can get back up to a higher standard for our air crews to train at a much lower cost.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the ground, the transition is expected to be seamless for maintainers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt doesn\u2019t change our process too much,\u201d said a conventional maintenance crew chief\u00a0assigned to the 1st\u00a0SOW.\u00a0\u201cIt adds one extra step, but it\u2019s really not much different from what we do on a day-to-day basis.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

AFSOC and its partners are targeting October 2026 for\u00a0full\u00a0implementation of the\u00a0new\u00a0machine, according to the\u00a0munitions\u00a0functional manager.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s neat to see something we\u2019re touching could eventually be implemented for future ammo troops,\u201d said the conventional maintenance crew chief.\u00a0\u201cI feel really privileged to be a part of that, and I think our guys here feel the same way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

With implementation on the horizon, the effort reflects\u00a0the 1st SOW\u2019s\u00a0broader focus on innovation,\u00a0devised\u00a0to support the mission now and\u00a0reflect the\u00a0ever-changing\u00a0global\u00a0landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By Senior Airman Isabel Tanner<\/em><\/p>\n

1st Special Operations Wing<\/em><\/p>\n

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