A look inside Commando Solo

Commando Solo is the EC-130J (00-1934), operated by the 193rd SOS out of Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, in Pennsylvania (using a "Steel" callsign). It came to light during the Libyan crisis, as a psychological warfare aircraft. It's capable of broadcasting over radio and televisions in a given area, as well as dropping leaflets and other means of psych warfare.

It's incredibly rare to get to see inside one of them (or it used to be, I've only been on them twice, once at an airshow when half the aircraft interior was covered up as classified). Amazingly the Air Force has published pictures taken inside 934 during Emerald Warrior at Hurlburt Field on May 1st.

I'm actually shocked that they published these. Until the mid-late 90s, they wouldn't even open a door that you could see into the cargo compartment of the aircraft if people were around. The one and only time I've ever seen civilians allowed on it was at an Open House when they flew one in, and they only let you see the radio and television consoles (although I got to go on one another time when everything was uncovered). It's an amazing aircraft capable of doing all kinds of tricks.

theaviationist.com...

Amazing aircraft, I could only imagine the level of sophistication propaganda has gotten to, probably the same people that produce fox news, etc.

Originally posted by benrl
Amazing aircraft, I could only imagine the level of sophistication propaganda has gotten to, probably the same people that produce fox news, etc.

It really has not. Having worked with the Psyops guys in the past because of the global mission of the organiaztion and the difference in cultures, languages, educations levels, technological levels etc, most of it is all very basic. They try to keep it as simple as possible because frankly it is real easy to come off looking like idiots. Of course because it is not as sexy as other ops nor can its effects realy be measured it is often not a priority. I knew and Admiral who used to say one cruise missle hitting a nations capital building has more effect than a month long psyops campaign. Could be he is right, as I said the effects are nearly impossible to measure. Then again that does not mean it is not very effective at times.

reply to post by MrSpad


You might not get the huge effect of a cruise missile hitting somewhere, but Psyops do play a role, and are useful. If you can get even a small group of leave, that's a smaller number you have to worry about. And if you can do it without firing a shot, you have that much more in your stockpile.

reply to post by MrSpad


You can also use that equipment to jam or even squelch capture or preamble-lock communication equipment in a given area, which is more immediately useful than "BS bombing" in a combat situation.

If all the bad guy hears on his radio net is what you want him to hear (whether that's propaganda or gulling or silence etc), it's definitely a tactical advantage.

Originally posted by _Del_
reply to post by MrSpad

 

You can also use that equipment to jam or even squelch capture or preamble-lock communication equipment in a given area, which is more immediately useful than "BS bombing" in a combat situation.

If all the bad guy hears on his radio net is what you want him to hear (whether that's propaganda or gulling or silence etc), it's definitely a tactical advantage.

I think the key is how much you know about the people your trying to influence. For example Psyops campaigns against US forces have alway proved to be not only not effective but, in fact enjoyed. This is the same problem our guys run into. They do the best they can with what they have but, if they had as much support and funding as some others we could really see what is possible. It is just hard for them to push because they never have any real measurable results to show. That is not to say they do not have an effect it is just that you can not go into a war zone and condcut polls on how much this broacast effected your will to fight etc.

reply to post by MrSpad


Send Fox News in. "Yes, and how much did the radio broadcast effect the way you decided to fight?" "Was the tv broadcast effective in your decision to retreat?"