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Join the Air ForceInformation > Factsheets > EC-130J Commando Solo                                                             EC-130J                                 Commando SoloPosted                                 8/19/2010 Printable Fact SheetPhotos1 of 3Download                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResMissionThe                                 EC-130J Commando Solo, a specially-modified                                 four-engine Hercules transport, conducts                                 information operations, psychological operations                                 and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV                                 and military communications bands. A typical                                 mission consists of a single-ship orbit offset                                 from the desired target audience - either                                 military or civilian personnel. The                                 EC-130SJ Super J conducts special                                 operations forces missions including military                                 free fall, which includes both high altitude,                                 low opening and high altitude, high                                 opening missions. The aircraft also                                 conducts joint precision aerial delivery                                 system, container delivery system                                 and pyschological operations leaflet                                 drops. The Air Force Special                                 Operations Command's 193rd Special Operations                                 Wing, Middletown, Pa., has total responsibility                                 for the Commando Solo and Commando Solo                                 Super J missions.                                 Features Many                                 modifications have been made to the aircraft.                                 These include enhanced navigation systems,                                 self-protection equipment, air refueling and the                                 capability of                                 broadcasting analog radio and analog                                 color TV on all worldwide standards.                                 Background The                                 airborne radio and television broadcast mission                                 originated in the mid-1960s with the EC-121                                 (known as Coronet Solo). The mission later                                 transitioned to the EC-130E (1980) and                                 eventually to the EC-130J and Super J (2004).                                 Soon after the 193rd SOW received EC-130s, the                                 Air National Guard unit participated in the                                 rescue of American citizens in Operation Urgent                                 Fury in 1983. Then known as Volant Solo, the                                 aircraft acted as an airborne radio station,                                 keeping the citizens of Grenada informed about                                 the U.S. military action. Several years later in                                 1989, Volant Solo was instrumental in the                                 success of coordinated psychological operations                                 in Operation Just Cause. During this mission it                                 broadcast throughout the initial phases of the                                 operation, helping to end the Noriega regime.                                 In 1990, the 193rd joined the newly                                 formed Air Force Special Operations Command, and                                 the wing's aircraft were redesignated Commando                                 Solo, with no change in mission. In 1990-91,                                 Commando Solo was deployed to Saudi Arabia and                                 Turkey in support of operations Desert Shield                                 and Desert Storm. Its missions included                                 broadcasting the "Voice of the Gulf" and other                                 highly successful programs intended to convince                                 Iraqi soldiers to surrender. In                                 1994, Commando Solo was used to broadcast radio                                 and TV messages to the citizens and leaders of                                 Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.                                 President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was featured in                                 these broadcasts, which contributed to the                                 orderly transition from military rule to                                 democracy. Continuing its tradition, in                                 1997 the 193rd SOW and Commando Solo supported                                 the United Nations' Operation Joint Guard with                                 radio and TV broadcasts over Bosnia-Herzegovina                                 in support of stabilization forces operations.                                 In 1998, the unit and its aircraft participated                                 in Operation Desert Thunder, a deployment to                                 Southwest Asia to convince Iraq to comply with                                 U.N. Security Council resolutions. The Commando                                 Solo was again sent into action in 1999 in                                 support of Operation Allied Force. The aircraft                                 was tasked to broadcast radio and television                                 into Kosovo to prevent ethnic cleansing and                                 assist in the expulsion of the Serbs from the                                 region. In 2001, the Commando Solo aircraft                                 broadcasted messages to the local Afghan                                 population and Taliban soldiers during Operation                                 Enduring Freedom. In 2003, the Commando                                 Solo was deployed to the Middle East in support                                 of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit has also                                 deployed in 2005, 2007 and 2009 to the Middle                                 East in support of overseas contingency                                 operations.General                                 CharacteristicsPrimary                                 Function: Psychological operations and                                 information                                 operationsContractor:                                 Lockheed Aircraft Co. Power                                 Plant: AE2100D3 six-blade turboprops                                 Thrust: 6,000 shaft                                 horsepower each engine                                 Wingspan: 132.6 feet (40.3                                 meters) Length: 97.75                                 feet (29.7 meters) Height:                                 38.8 feet (11.8 meters) Cruise                                 speed:  335 mph                                 Ceiling: 28,000 feet (8,534                                 meters) Maximum Takeoff                                 Weight: 164,000 pounds (74,390                                 kilograms) Range: 2,300                                 nautical miles unrefueled                                 Crew: Pilot, copilot,                                 flight systems officer, mission systems officer;                                 two loadmasters and five electronic                                 communications systems                                 operators Initial operating                                 capability: 2004 Unit                                 Cost: EC-130J,                                 approximately $110                                 million;                                                   EC-130SJ Super J, approximately                                 $85 million                                   Inventory:                                  EC-130J, Active force, 0;                                 Reserve,                                 0;  ANG, 3                    EC-130SJ                                 Super J, Active force, 0; Reserve, 0;                                 ANG, 4Point of                                 ContactU.S. Air Force Special Operations                                 Command, Public Affairs Office; 229 Cody                                 Ave, Ste 103; Hurlburt Field FL 32544-5312; DSN                                 579-5515 or 850-884-5515. 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