,
193d Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard broadcast television and radio programming from on board an EC-130E aircraft, in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Entering service with the
Tactical Air Command (TAC), the EC-130E Commando Solo was originally modified by using the mission electronic equipment from the
EC-121S Coronet Solo. Soon after the then-193rd Special Operations Group 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, the EC-130 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-130E joined the newly formed
Air Force Special Operations Command (
AFSOC) and has since been designated Commando Solo, with no change in mission. from
Harrisburg Air National Guard Base. More recently, in 1994, the EC-130E Commando Solo was used 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 (Haiti's ambassador to the United States) 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. The EC-130 has been flown in operations against the
Islamic State in Iraq to jam their communications. ==Variants==