On January 31, 1991, an AC130H was performing a support mission deep into
enemy territory when it went down over Kuwait. The crew of the aircraft
included Major Paul J. Weaver; Capt. Dixon L. Walters; Capt. Arthur Galvan;
Capt. William D. Grimm; 1Lt. Clifford Bland, Jr.; TSgt. Robert K. Hodges;
Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha; MSgt. James B. May II; SSgt. John L. Oelschlager;
SSgt. Mark J. Schmauss; SSgt. John P. Blessinger; SMSgt. Paul G. Buege; and
Sgt. Barry M. Clark. U.S. Representative Earl Hutto (D-FL) whose district
includes the home base of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, later told media sources that the gunship was on a targeting mission,
seeking out enemy targets and directing other aircraft to them.

Other aircraft heard a "mayday" distress call, but there was no indication
of what caused the aircraft to crash. Search and rescue teams were unable to
reach the aircraft's location to recover any who may have survived. The crew
of the aircraft were equipped with AN-PRC-90 hand-held survival radios, even
though a newer version, the AN-PRC-68, might enhance survival chances.

The 90, although still in wide use, uses only two well-known international
distress frequencies, increasing the possibility that allied rescuers could
be decoyed into a deadly trap by Iraqi forces using the same frequencies.
The 68 has 2,000 channels and can be modified to provide encrypted speech to
frustrate eavesdroppers. Friendly search forces can determine the direction
of signals transmitted by the newer radio.

The families were notified on the following day that the aircraft was down
and that all aboard were Missing in Action. Searches were ongoing for the
aircraft and/or survivors, families were asked not to speak to media
representatives, and little information is available about the crew or the
mission on January 30.

(On March 6, the gunship was found off the coast of Kuwait and all aboard will be listed as Killed in Action when their remains are identified.")

The Iraqis have stated that Allied prisoners of war would be used as "human
shields" to protect their important military sites from attack by Allied
forces. Amidst clearly inflated shoot-down reports issued by the Iraqis, and
reluctance by the Pentagon to release premature information, observers wait
for news of missing and captured military personnel, speculating on the
treatment they will receive as prisoners if they are captured.

Those who recall the torture and degradation American POWs were subjected to
by the North Vietnamese can only wait and pray. Those who recall the
abandonment of American POWs in World War II, Korea and Vietnam are watching
carefully, determined that all our men and women will be returned alive, or
fully accounted for, before American troops leave the Middle East when
hostilities cease.

The 16th Special Operations Squadron is based at Hurlburt Field, Florida,
where its members were stationed when they embarked for the Middle East.
Paul G. Beuge's wife and two children live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
His parents, Alfred and Betty Beuge live in Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield,
Wisconsin. Beuge is a 1966 graduate of Custer High School in Milwaukee.

(bio submitted by Chuck Cummins)