Flown exclusively by the Airmen of the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Middletown, Pa., this EC-130E "Commando Solo" is a one-of-a-kind aircraft in many ways. Conducting the U.S. Military's only airborne psychological operations mission, this aircraft and her crew acted in times of peace and war as a flying broadcast studio by sending messages on standard radio and television frequencies.
Beginning its service in 1963 and delivered to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 1979, this aircraft served as a faithful workhorse in carrying out its unique mission for nearly three decades. Its last operational sortie in January 2006 followed service in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Its final flight brought it to Muir Army Airfield in August 2006, the largest aircraft ever to land at Fort Indiantown Gap at the time.
Affectionately nicknamed "Triple Cripple" by the airmen who worked on Aircraft No. 7773, it is remarkably the only remaining example of its kind.
Crew: Four Officers, eight enlisted
Cruising Speed: 299 mph
Max Speed: 374 mph
Cruising Range: 2,100 miles
Ceiling: 20,000 feet
Engine: Four Allison T56-A-15 Turboprops
Length: 100.50 feet
Height: 38.50 feet
Wingspan: 132.60 feet
Unit Cost: $70,000,000
NOTE: This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force to the Pennsylvania National Guard.
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