Actually, its not what they wanted, its that they were needed.
Had they really been gung-ho and risked a multi-million dollar
aircraft without a better reason than wanting plink a few more
Iraqi tanks, the entire crew would have got their collective asses
in the shitter
At 0600 hours on the morning of January 31, "Spirit 03" was the
last of three AC-130 Spectre gunships on station to provide close
air support for the embattled Marines on the ground. Spirit 03 was
due to end its patrol when it received a call from the Marines -
they needed an enemy missile battery destroyed. Despite the risk of
anti-aircrarft artillery fire, and the greater danger of the
morning sun casting light on the circling gunship, the crew of
"Spirit 03" chose to remain and destroy the position
requested.
Soon after eliminating the target designated by the Marines, a lone
Iraqi hoisted an SA-7 "Grail" manportable surface-to-air missile to
his shoulder. In the dawn of the early morning light, the form of
the large AC-130 slowly became visible in the skies over Khafji.
The decision to remain behind to support the Marines cost the
pilots and crew of Spirit 03 their best defensive weapon -
darkness. The Iraqi pointed the weapon at the aircraft, and fired.
The missile found its target and at 0635 hours the aircraft sent
out a "mayday" distress call and then crashed into the waters of
the Persian Gulf. All 14 crewmembers were killed.
Link:
Battle of Khafji and Spirit 03's shootdown
Its a useful thing to have no doubt, but not if your enemy has
anything remotely like half-decent AD oppostion around that is able
to keep your own side from achieving complete air dominance.
