[Carry_Okie]

You do not “paint” a target until the weapons system/designator is synched; which means that the AC130 was on station.

You might if you've got nothing else. If I had a laser painted on me, I wouldn't stay still. The guys in the annex might have been hoping that the enemy would believe they're toast if they stay in that spot and split.

[butterdezillion]

Would the target know they were painted?