Close air support
In late 1974, the squadron began transitioning to the AC-130A Spectre aircraft and when transition to gunships was complete the squadron was redesignated as the 711th Special Operations Squadron in the summer of the following year. Close air support of conventional and special operations ground forces became the unit's primary duty, but additional capabilities included the ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare settings.