Pennsylvania Air National Guard retires broadcasting aircraft

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard 193rd Special Operations Wing has retired commando Solo II, its 1963 aircraft which operated a flying radio and television station over Haiti, Grenada, Afghanistan, Iraq, Panama, Bosnia, Kosovo and other world hotspots.

The plane was put to rest yesterday in a ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap and is now on permanent display at the gap for public viewing.

The EC-130E aircraft, the military’s only airborne broadcasting system, was used for psychological operations. It logged nearly 12,000 flying hours with the wing, including nearly 2,700 combat flying hours.

Last year, the aircraft was replaced by Commando Solo III, an upgraded broadcast system based on the EC-130J.

Source: Media Network, PennLive