The Lockheed Martin EC-130 series comprises several slightly different
versions of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules that have been and continue to be
operated by the U.S. Air Force and, until the 1990s, the U.S. Navy.
The EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center was based on a basic
C-130E platform and provided tactical airborne command post capabilities to
air commanders and ground commanders in low air threat environments. The EC-130E
ABCCC aircraft were retired in 2002 and the mission was 'migrated' to the E-8
JSTARS and E-3 AWACS fleets. The EC-130E Commando Solo was an earlier
version of a U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard psychological operations
aircraft and this aircraft also employed a C-130E airframe, but was modified by
using the mission electronic equipment from the retired EC-121S Coronet Solo
aircraft. This airframe served during the first Gulf War, Operation Uphold
Democracy, the second Gulf War and in Operation Enduring Freedom. The EC-130E
was eventually replaced by the EC-130J Commando Solo and retired in 2006.
Based on a C-130H airframe, the EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne
communications jamming platform operated by the Air Combat Command's 55th
Electronic Combat Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The EC-130 Compass Call
aircraft attempts to disrupt enemy command and control communications and
limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The Compass
Call system employs offensive counterinformation and electronic attack
capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and
special operations forces. The EC-130H was used extensively in the Gulf War and
Operation Iraqi Freedom, disrupting Iraqi communications at both the
strategic and tactical levels. It has also been used in Operation Enduring
Freedom in Afghanistan. The EC-130J Commando Solo is a modified
C-130J Hercules used to conduct psychological operations and civil
affairs broadcast missions in the standard AM, FM, HF, TV and military
communications bands. Missions are flown at the maximum altitudes possible to
ensure optimum propagation patterns. The EC-130J 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. The Commando Solo is
operated exclusively by the Air National Guard, specifically the 193d Special
Operations Wing, a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard
operationally gained by the Air Force Special Operations Command. The 193 AOW
is based at the Harrisburg Air National Guard Base at Harrisburg International
Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Navy's EC-130Q Hercules TACAMO
aircraft was a land-based naval aviation platform that served as a SIOP strategic
communications link aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile
submarine force and as a backup communications link for the USAF manned
strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile forces. To ensure
survivability, TACAMO operated as a solo platform, well away from and not
interacting with other major naval forces such as sea-based aircraft
carrier strike groups and their carrier air wings or land-based maritime patrol
aircraft Operated by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron THREE and Fleet
Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR, the EC-130Q was eventually replaced by the
U.S. Navy's current TACAMO platform, the Boeing 707-based E-6 Mercury.
Design and development The EC-130E Commando Solo entered
service in 1978 as the EC-130E Coronet Solo with the Tactical Air Command. In
1983 the Coronet Solo's mission was transferred to the Military Airlift
Command and redesignated the EC-130E Volant Solo. With the formation of Air
Force Special Operations Command, the mission was transferred to AFSOC and
redesignated Commando Solo. Operations were consolidated under a single-AFSOC
gained unit, the 193d Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National
Guard. In the early 1990s the aircraft were upgraded and designated Commando
Solo II. The EC-130E variants were replaced with new EC-130J Commando Solo
III aircraft built by Lockheed Martin beginning in 2003.
Highly specialized modifications have been made to the latest version of the
EC-130J. Included in these mods 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. Secondary missions include command and
control communications countermeasures and limited intelligence gathering. The
three variants are EC-130 ABCCC, EC-130E Commando Solo, and the EC-130J Commando
Solo. The version currently in service is the EC-130J, as the last EC-130E was
retired from service in 2006. Operational history
The EC-130 was originally modified by using the mission electronic equipment
from the EC-121S Coronet Solo. Soon after the 193rd SOG received its
EC-130s, 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. In 1989, 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 Manuel Noriega regime. In 1990 the EC-130 joined the
newly formed Air Force Special Operations Command and has since been
designated Commando Solo, with no change in mission.
More 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-130s 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.
The aircraft was also deployed during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, broadcasting
a recording from Raymond Joseph warning residents not to attempt to flee to the
United States by sea. The aircraft also broadcast announcements of where
earthquake victims can go for food and aid, news from Voice of America, and
instructions on hygiene procedures to prevent disease.
On the second day of Operation Odyssey Dawn, an EC-130J warned Libyan shipping
"Libyan ships or vessels do not leave port, the Gaddafi regime forces are
violating a United Nations resolution ordering the end to the hostilities in
your country. If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed
immediately. For your own safety do not leave port." The unencrypted message in
Arabic, French and English was recorded by a ham radio operator in the
Netherlands. Variants
EC-130E ABCCC EC-130E Commando Solo
EC-130E Rivet Rider A version of the Commando Solo.
EC-130G four U.S. Navy C-130G fitted with VLF
transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines.
EC-130H Compass Call EC-130J Commando Solo III
EC-130Q U.S. Navy version of the C-130H, fitted
with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile
submarines. 18 were built. EC-130V
Airborne early warning and control variant used by USCG for
counter-narcotics missions in 1991. It was used by the U.S. Navy 1992-1994 and
then by the USAF as NC-130H. Aircraft on display
EC-130Q USN BuNo 159348, c/n 4601 TACAMO IV, ops with VQ-4, July 1975-July
1988; modified to TC-130Q, ops with VR-22, VXE-6; to Tinker AFB with VQ-3,
VQ-4, "hack" aircraft as of December 1995. On static display by March 1997,
same, July 2013. EC-130E USAF 62-1857
Operation Eagle Claw Republic 5 aircraft. On static display at the
Carolinas Aviation Museum October 2013. EC-130E USAF 63-7773 "Triple Cripple"
On static display at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville PA.
Specifications Data from US Air Force Factsheet
General characteristics Crew: Pilot, CoPilot, combat systems
officer, mission communications commander; loadmaster, five electronic
communications systems operators Length: 97.75 ft
Wingspan: 132.6 ft Height: 38.8 ft
Max. takeoff weight: 165,000 lb Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3
turboprop, 4,637 shp) each Propellers: Dowty R391 6-blade composite
propeller, 1 per engine Performance
Cruise speed: 335 mph Range: 2,300 nm
Service ceiling: 28,000 ft See also
Related development Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Lockheed AC-130
Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call Lockheed HC-130
Lockheed MC-130 Lockheed WC-130
Related lists List of active United States military
aircraft List of C-130 Hercules crashes
References External links
EC-130E Commando Solo EC-130
Factsheets: EC-130J Commando Solo Video of receiving Commando Solo
transmission to Libya