The Flickr Gulfofmexico Image Generatr

"Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47 or “Gooney Bird” as it was nicknamed. The aircraft was adapted from the DC-3 commercial airliner which appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of WW II, 9,348 had been procured for the USAAF. They carried personnel and cargo, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory. They participated in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The development of the “Gooney Bird” as a gunship was largely due to a pilot’s need to train his guns on a site and continue to circle the site for long periods of time, while continually hitting the target with reasonable accuracy. The flight testing of these “gun ships” was accomplished here at Eglin AFB, FL in 1964, using three 7.62mm SUU-11A Gatling mini-guns. On December 2, 1964, the first AC-47s arrived in Vietnam and were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron. The ground troops affectionately called the AC-47 “Puff – the Magic Dragon”. It was noted that the Viet Cong never seeing such an attack from the sky, thought it to be a fire breathing dragon. “Spooky” became the call sign for the AC-47 and that name is the one that stuck with the AC-47. This C-47K S/N 44-76486 is being depicted as AC-47D S/N 43-49010 which was one of the first twenty C-47Ds converted to its AC-47D configuration by Air International at Miami, FL. AC-47 S/N 43-49010 was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand during the Vietnam War from 1969 – 1970." On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

The GBU-43/B MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) bomb, nicknamed “Mother Of All Bombs” is a large, powerful and accurately delivered high explosive weapon. The MOAB is the largest-ever satellite-guided, air-delivered weapon in history. The 21,600 lb MOAB is an improved replacement for the unguided 15,000 lb BLU-82 Daisy Cutter used in Vietnam and Afghanistan. MOAB is a guided bomb which delivers 18,700 lb of H6 explosive using a BLU-120/B warhead. It uses the KMU-593/B GPS/INS guidance system and is stabilized by series of fixed wings and grid (lattice) fins. The unique lattice fins offer excellent aerodynamic properties. It is designed to be launched from a C-130 aircraft, the MOAB is strapped to a specially designed cradle. Upon extraction from the aircraft the cradle is separated from the MOAB. The MOAB then proceeds to the target. The MOAB was developed, tested, and fielded by the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate, Air Armament Center, the 46th Operations Group, Detachment 1 at Eglin AFB, Florida, in concert with other agencies and contractors. On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

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Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV 73-1652 was last assigned to the 16th Special Operations Wing (AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field, FL. The helicopter was flown in to its final resting place on 5 Sept 2008. This helicopter was assigned to the 55th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) at Eglin AFB from Jun 1976 – Jul 1980. During its stay at Eglin AFB it was part of the Recovery Team that was sent to Jonestown, Guyana for the recovery of the 903 American bodies in the Jim Jones incident. This helicopter was flown for 34 years before being retired from service. On display at the USAF Armament Museum at Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

USAF Armament Museum at Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

Douglas B-17G S/N 44-83863 was built in 05 July 1945 in Long Beach, California, for the USAAF. It was transferred to the US Navy on 14 July 1945 as BuNu 77231. Later sold on 02 December 1957 for use as a forest fire tanker and traded back to the USAF Museum in 1976. It is being depicted as 42-30180 with the 96th Bombardment Group (BG) emblem. The 96th BG would later become the 96th Test Wing (TW) on July 18, 2012. On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

"Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47 or “Gooney Bird” as it was nicknamed. The aircraft was adapted from the DC-3 commercial airliner which appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of WW II, 9,348 had been procured for the USAAF. They carried personnel and cargo, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory. They participated in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The development of the “Gooney Bird” as a gunship was largely due to a pilot’s need to train his guns on a site and continue to circle the site for long periods of time, while continually hitting the target with reasonable accuracy. The flight testing of these “gun ships” was accomplished here at Eglin AFB, FL in 1964, using three 7.62mm SUU-11A Gatling mini-guns. On December 2, 1964, the first AC-47s arrived in Vietnam and were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron. The ground troops affectionately called the AC-47 “Puff – the Magic Dragon”. It was noted that the Viet Cong never seeing such an attack from the sky, thought it to be a fire breathing dragon. “Spooky” became the call sign for the AC-47 and that name is the one that stuck with the AC-47. This C-47K S/N 44-76486 is being depicted as AC-47D S/N 43-49010 which was one of the first twenty C-47Ds converted to its AC-47D configuration by Air International at Miami, FL. AC-47 S/N 43-49010 was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand during the Vietnam War from 1969 – 1970." On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

martin EB-57B 52-1516 was last flown by the 158th Air National Guard stationed at Burlington, Vermont. Only 22 B-57Bs were converted to EB-57Bs. The B-57 saw service in Vietnam. Out of 94 B-57s assigned to the Vietnam theatre – 51 were lost in combat. This aircraft is being depicted in its black “Night Intruder” paint scheme, as a B-57B assigned to the 8th Bomb Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing while stationed at Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

Clouds over Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach, Fl., 8 June 2025

Clouds over Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach, Fl., 8 June 2025

Clouds over Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach, Fl., 8 June 2025

Clouds over Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach, Fl., 8 June 2025

White sands at Pensacola Beach in Florida, on June 21, 2016. (Gulf Islands National Seashore)

Fort Pickens at Pensacola Beach, Florida, on June 21, 2016. (Gulf Islands National Seashore.)

CSX Railroad Bascule (draw) bridge, U.S. 90 Pascagoula River High-Rise Bridge, Signet Warhorse II at Signet Maritime

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier reaches into the Gulf of Mexico surf at Galveston, Texas.

"Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47 or “Gooney Bird” as it was nicknamed. The aircraft was adapted from the DC-3 commercial airliner which appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of WW II, 9,348 had been procured for the USAAF. They carried personnel and cargo, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory. They participated in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The development of the “Gooney Bird” as a gunship was largely due to a pilot’s need to train his guns on a site and continue to circle the site for long periods of time, while continually hitting the target with reasonable accuracy. The flight testing of these “gun ships” was accomplished here at Eglin AFB, FL in 1964, using three 7.62mm SUU-11A Gatling mini-guns. On December 2, 1964, the first AC-47s arrived in Vietnam and were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron. The ground troops affectionately called the AC-47 “Puff – the Magic Dragon”. It was noted that the Viet Cong never seeing such an attack from the sky, thought it to be a fire breathing dragon. “Spooky” became the call sign for the AC-47 and that name is the one that stuck with the AC-47. This C-47K S/N 44-76486 is being depicted as AC-47D S/N 43-49010 which was one of the first twenty C-47Ds converted to its AC-47D configuration by Air International at Miami, FL. AC-47 S/N 43-49010 was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand during the Vietnam War from 1969 – 1970." On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

AC-130A 53-3129 is the first Lockheed C-130 to come off the production line in 1955, and was the original prototype of what was to become a long line of C-130 aircraft. It is affectionately dubbed “The First Lady”. On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

F-16A 80-0573 was manufactured by General Dynamics and gained by the Air Force on 8 May 1982. It was assigned to the Armament Development Center (AF Systems Command), Eglin AFB, Florida, in May 1982. Its last assignment was to the 3246th Test Wing (AFSC), Eglin AFB, Florida, on September 1989. It is painted in the colors of the USAF Thunderbirds and on display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.

AC-130A 53-3129 is the first Lockheed C-130 to come off the production line in 1955, and was the original prototype of what was to become a long line of C-130 aircraft. It is affectionately dubbed “The First Lady”. On display at the USAF Armament Museum - Eglin AFB in NW Florida.