193rd Special Operations Wing

Threatened by the closure of Olmsted Air Force Base (now Harrisburg Air National Guard Base) and by the downsizing of all conventionally powered transport aircraft, the National Guard Bureau volunteered the unit for a psychological warfare capability named "Coronet Solo" in 1967.[3][4] Following the Arab-Israeli War of June 1967, psychological warfare once again became a U.S. military priority. The unit was again re-designated as the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group and transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC). Four of its C-121s were converted to EC-121S Coronet Solos for its electronic warfare mission. In 1970 the unit deployed two EC-121 aircraft to Korat Royal Thai Ai Base for a six-month temporary duty code named "Commando Buzz".[3] Throughout the 1970s, the wing earned a reputation as being the most deployed Air National Guard unit, sometimes deploying 10 times in a single year.[3]

In 1978, the 193 SOW began transitioning to the EC-130E Pendant Solo (later Commando Solo) aircraft, eventually receiving 8 aircraft total by 1980.[3] Soon after the 193rd SOG 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.[3] During this mission it broadcast throughout the initial phases of the operation, helping to end the Noriega regime.

In the mid-1980s, along with all other USAF special operations units, it was assigned to the 23rd Air Force of the Military Airlift Command (MAC). 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 Operation Desert Storm. Its missions included broadcasting the "Voice of the Gulf" and other highly successful programs intended to convince Iraqi soldiers to surrender.[3] In 1992, the 193 SOW received its first EC-130E upgraded to Commando Solo II configuration. In 1994, the Commando Solo II aircraft were 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.[3]

Continuing its tradition, in 1997 the 193 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 II 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 II aircraft broadcast messages to the local Afghan population and Taliban soldiers during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2003, the Commando Solo II was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, the 193 SOW received newer EC-130J aircraft. These were quickly redeployed to the Middle East in support of the War on Terror.

• Constituted as 168th Air Transport Group, and allotted to Pennsylvania ANG, 1964

Extended federal recognition and activated, 16 February 1964

Re-designated: 168th Military Airlift Group, 8 January 1966

Re-designated: 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group, 1 June 1967

Re-designated: 193d Electronic Combat Group, 6 October 1980

Re-designated: 193d Special Operations Group, 15 November 1983

Re-designated: 193rd Special Operations Wing, 1 June 1995

• Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 16 February 1964 – present

Gained by: Military Air Transport Service

Gained by: Military Airlift Command, 8 January 1977

Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 1 June 1967

Gained by: Twenty-Third Air Force, Military Airlift Command, 1 March 1983

Gained by: Air Force Special Operations Command, 22 May 1990 – present

• 193rd Operations Group, 1 June 1995 – present
• 193rd Special Operations Squadron, 16 February 1964 – 1 June 1995

Assigned to 193 OG effective 1 June 1992

• Olmstead Air Force Base, Pennsylvania, 16 February 1964
• Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania, 30 June 1969

Designated: Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania, 1991 – present

• C-121 Constellation, 1964–1967
• EC-121 Constellation 1967–1980
• EC-130E Commando Solo 1980–2004
• EC-130J Commando Solo 2004 – present