Special Operations.Com

193rd Special Operations Wing

Commando Solo, the United States Air Force's only airborne radio and television broadcast mission, is assigned to the 193d Special Operations Wing, the only ANG unit assigned to the elite Air Force Special Operations Command. The 193d performs this unique psychological operations mission out of its compact, 38-acre base at Harrisburg International Airport, in Middletown, Pa.

The primary mission of the 193d is to provide an airborne broadcast platform for virtually any contingency, including state or national disasters or other emergencies, on a moment's notice, anywhere in the world. The 193d performs this unique mission with six specially configured EC130E/RR aircraft. A secondary mission assigned to the 193d is providing airlift for the Air Force Intelligence Command, Senior Scout mission. This mission is performed with two specially modified EC130E aircraft.

Being a one-of-a-kind unit means being at the "tip of the spear." For instance, the 193d has seen combat action four times: Southeast Asia in 1970, Grenada in 1983, Panama in 1989 and Southwest Asia (Desert Shield and Desert Storm) in 1990/91. Additionally, in 1994 the unit was one of the lead units to deploy and conduct operations over Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy, and unit members and equipment have deployed to Europe in support of operations there.

The 193d maintains its reputation as being the most deployed Air National Guard unit in the country, participating in 12-15 major exercises or real world deployments each year. The unit has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award eight times, was selected as the best flying unit within the Air Guard and recently won recognition as having the best dining hall and Services Flight in the country. The unit has accumulated over 152,000 accident free flying hours during an unprecedented 40 year period of time.

With an authorized personnel strength of approximately 1,100, of whom 290 are full-time employees, the 193d has a combined annual payroll of more than $31.7 million. The total annual operating budget exceeds $35 million. That budget supports assets (excluding aircraft and buildings) of more than $96.4 million. Capital assets (buildings) comprise more than $23 million and the current replacement value for the eight assigned aircraft is more than $325 million. The unit is a modern facility with all buildings constructed since 1990. The two newest work areas, a refueling vehicle maintenance shop and 12,000 sq ft. deployment storage warehouse, are nearing completion.