Inside USAF’s Secretive PsyOps Plane: EC-130J Commando Solo

The 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, recently went on a flight with an aerial refueling. The EC-130J Commando Solo’s crew powered up their broadcasting equipment to do refresh their training as the pilots got ready to perform an aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker. Modified from the adaptable C-130 Hercules airframe, the EC-130J Commando Solo is used for Military Information Support Operations (MISO), psychological operations (PSYOPS) and civil affairs broadcast missions in the standard AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. These missions are typically flown at night to reduce probability of detection in politically sensitive or hostile territories. Primary function: military information support operation Secondary function: special operations forces – air mobility 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 Crew: Pilot, Copilot, combat systems officer,