Primary Function: Psychological operations broadcasts
Builder: Lockheed
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 Turboprop Engines
Thrust: 4,910 shaft horsepower per engine
Length: 100 ft 6 in
Height: 38 ft 6 in (11.7 meters)
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.4 meters)
Speed: 299 mph
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 lbs.
Range: 2,100-plus miles
Crew: Four officers (pilot, copilot, navigator, mission control chief/EWO); seven enlisted (flight engineer, loadmaster, five mission crew)
Date Deployed: 1992
Unit Flyaway Cost: More than $70 million
Air Force Mission: Commando Solo conducts psychological operations and civil affairs broadcast missions in the standard AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. Missions are flown at maximum altitudes possible to ensure optimum propagation patterns. The EC-130E flies during either day or night scenarios with equal success, and is air refuelable. A typical mission consists of a single-ship orbit which is offset from the desired target audience. The targets may be either military or civilian personnel.
Secondary missions include command and control communications countermeasures (C3CM) and limited intelligence gathering.
Air Force Features: Highly specialized modifications have been made to the latest version of the EC-130 (Commando Solo). Included in these modifications are enhanced navigation systems, self-protection equipment, and the capability of broadcasting color television on a multitude of worldwide standards throughout the TV VHF/UHF ranges.
Air Force (ANG) Inventory: 6
Air Force Background: Air National Guard EC-130E aircraft flown by the 193rd Special Operations Group (now the 193rd Special Operations Wing) were deployed to both Saudi Arabia and Turkey in support of DESERT STORM. Their missions included broadcasts of "Voice of the Gulf," and other programs intended to convince Iraqi soldiers to surrender.
The EC-130E was originally modified using the mission electronic equipment from the EC-121, known at the time as the Coronet Solo. Soon after the 193rd SOG received its EC-130Es, the unit participated in the rescue of US citizens in Operation Urgent Fury, acting as an airborne radio station informing those people on Grenada of the US military action.
Commando Solo was instrumental in the success of coordinated psychological operations in Operation JUST CAUSE, again broadcasting continuously throughout the initial phases of the operation to help end the Noriega regime.
Most recently, in 1994, Commando Solo was utilized to broadcast radio and television messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. The EC-130's deployed early in the operation, highlighting the importance of PSYOP in avoiding military and civilian casualties. President Aristide was featured on the broadcasts which contributed significantly to the orderly transition from military rule to democracy.
In 1990 the EC-130E joined the newly formed Air Force Special Operations Command and has since been designated Commando Solo, with no change in mission. This one-of-a-kind aircraft is consistently improving its capabilities. The next few years should see continued enhancements to the EC-130E and its worldwide mission.