193d Special Operations Wing
Encyclopedia
The 193d Special Operations Wing (193 SOW) is a special operation unit assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard
which flies the EC-130J Commando Solo. As part of the United States Air National Guard
, the command executes both state and Federal missions as directed.
The unit's role is to broadcast radio and television signals to target populations from an airborne transmitter, jamming existing television and radio signals where necessary. Messages are not developed within the wing itself, but are provided by staff of the United States Army
's 4th Psychological Operations Group
(Airborne), based at Fort Bragg
, North Carolina.
, its primary wartime and contingency operations mission is psychological operations (PSYOP) as a gained unit of the Air Force Special Operations Command
(AFSOC).
. Initially assigned to VIII Fighter Command
, reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and engaged in combat in the North African Campaign
and later based in Italy
as part of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(MTO). Engaged in combat during Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, also flew combat missions from Sardinia and in the Rhone Valley of France, 1944.
Inactivated November 1945 and allocated to Pennsylvania Air National Guard
, 1946, being re-designated 148th Fighter Squadron, and assigned to Reading Army Airfield as a geographically separated unit of the 112th Fighter Group at Pittsburgh Airport.
The squadron was activated at Reading AAF on 22 April 1947 with P (later F-47) Thunderbolts
. On 10 February 1951 the squadron was federalized due to the Korean War
and brought to active duty at Dover AFB, Delaware.
It was released from active duty on 1 November 1952 and was equipped with the F-51 Mustang for interceptor duty. In 1956, as propeller driven F-51 Mustang fighters faded into history, the unit was redesignated the 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron, flying the C-46 Commando
and later the C-119 Flying Boxcar
.
In 1964, the unit relocated to its current location at Olmsted Air Force Base
(present day Harrisburg International Airport) to flying the C-121 Lockheed Constellation
. Olmsted runways and facilities were better suited to the larger C-121s. In 1964, it was again redesignated, this time as the 168th Military Air Transport Group.
In 1967, it was transferred to Tactical Air Command
(TAC) and redesignated the 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group. Four of its C-121s were converted to EC-121S Coronet Solos for its electronic warfare
mission. The unit transitioned to the EC-130E Commando Solo in 1977 and was redesignated the 193d Special Operations Group, assigned to TAC.
In the mid-1980s, along with all other USAF special operations units, it was assigned to the 23d Air Force of the Military Airlift Command
(MAC). Following the creation of the Air Force Special Operations Command
(AFSOC) in the 1990s, the unit was reassigned to AFSOC and redesignated the 193d Special Operations Wing. In 2001, the wing transitioned from the EC-130E to the EC-130J Commando Solo.
The wing has seen extensive overseas service, to include Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operations Support Democracy and Uphold Democracy and Operation Desert Storm, as well as more recent service in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron (formerly the 114th Tactical Control Flight) at Johnstown-Cambria County Airport
was assigned to the 193 SOW, but was realigned into the ANG's 171st Air Refueling Wing
(171 ARW) at Pittsburgh International Airport
/Air Reserve Station shortly after moving to Johnstown.
Pennsylvania Air National Guard
The Pennsylvania Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is, along with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, an element of the Pennsylvania National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.-Overview:The...
which flies the EC-130J Commando Solo. As part of the United States Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
, the command executes both state and Federal missions as directed.
The unit's role is to broadcast radio and television signals to target populations from an airborne transmitter, jamming existing television and radio signals where necessary. Messages are not developed within the wing itself, but are provided by staff of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's 4th Psychological Operations Group
4th Psychological Operations Group
The 4th Military Information Support Group or 4th MISG is one of the United States Army's active military information support operations units alongside with the 8th Military Information Support Group, which was activated August 26, 2011 at Fort Bragg...
(Airborne), based at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina.
Mission
As part of the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, its primary wartime and contingency operations mission is psychological operations (PSYOP) as a gained unit of the Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(AFSOC).
History
Activated on 1 October 1942 at RAF Duxford, England as the 347th Fighter Squadron347th Fighter Squadron
The 347th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 350th Fighter Group stationed at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.-History:...
. Initially assigned to VIII Fighter Command
VIII Fighter Command
The VIII Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at RAF Honington, England. It was inactivated on 20 March 1946....
, reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and engaged in combat in the North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
and later based in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
as part of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO). Engaged in combat during Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, also flew combat missions from Sardinia and in the Rhone Valley of France, 1944.
Inactivated November 1945 and allocated to Pennsylvania Air National Guard
Pennsylvania Air National Guard
The Pennsylvania Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is, along with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, an element of the Pennsylvania National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.-Overview:The...
, 1946, being re-designated 148th Fighter Squadron, and assigned to Reading Army Airfield as a geographically separated unit of the 112th Fighter Group at Pittsburgh Airport.
The squadron was activated at Reading AAF on 22 April 1947 with P (later F-47) Thunderbolts
P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
. On 10 February 1951 the squadron was federalized due to the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and brought to active duty at Dover AFB, Delaware.
It was released from active duty on 1 November 1952 and was equipped with the F-51 Mustang for interceptor duty. In 1956, as propeller driven F-51 Mustang fighters faded into history, the unit was redesignated the 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron, flying the C-46 Commando
C-46 Commando
The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
and later the C-119 Flying Boxcar
C-119 Flying Boxcar
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
.
In 1964, the unit relocated to its current location at Olmsted Air Force Base
Olmsted Air Force Base
Harrisburg Air National Guard Base is a United States Air Force base, located at Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania. It is located west-southwest of Middletown, Pennsylvania....
(present day Harrisburg International Airport) to flying the C-121 Lockheed Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
. Olmsted runways and facilities were better suited to the larger C-121s. In 1964, it was again redesignated, this time as the 168th Military Air Transport Group.
In 1967, it was transferred to Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(TAC) and redesignated the 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group. Four of its C-121s were converted to EC-121S Coronet Solos for its electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
mission. The unit transitioned to the EC-130E Commando Solo in 1977 and was redesignated the 193d Special Operations Group, assigned to TAC.
In the mid-1980s, along with all other USAF special operations units, it was assigned to the 23d Air Force of the Military Airlift Command
Military Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(MAC). Following the creation of the Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(AFSOC) in the 1990s, the unit was reassigned to AFSOC and redesignated the 193d Special Operations Wing. In 2001, the wing transitioned from the EC-130E to the EC-130J Commando Solo.
The wing has seen extensive overseas service, to include Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operations Support Democracy and Uphold Democracy and Operation Desert Storm, as well as more recent service in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
- Established as 148th Fighter Squadron on 24 May 1946
- Bestowed lineage and honors of 347th Fighter Squadron347th Fighter SquadronThe 347th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 350th Fighter Group stationed at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.-History:...
, inactivated 7 November 1945 - Allocated to Pennsylvania Air National GuardPennsylvania Air National GuardThe Pennsylvania Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is, along with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, an element of the Pennsylvania National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.-Overview:The...
- Organized and federally recognized 27 February 1947
- Federalized on 10 February 1951, returned to Pennsylvania state control 1 November 1952
- Inactivated 30 June 1956
- Re-designated: 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron and activated 1 July 1956
- Re-designated: 168th Military Air Transport Group, 16 February 1964
- Re-designated: 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group, 1 June 1967
- Re-designated: 193d Special Operations Group, 1 June 1977
- Re-designated: 193d Special Operations Wing 1 June 1995
Assignments
- 112th Fighter Group, 1947–1951
- 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1951–1952
- 4710th Defense Wing, 1952
- 112th Fighter Group, 1952–1956
- Military Air Transport ServiceMilitary Air Transport ServiceThe Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...
, 1956–1966 - Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 1967–1985 - 23d Air Force, 1985–1990
- Air Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
, 1990 – present
Components
- 193d Special Operations Squadron
- 112th Air Operations Squadron
- 201st Red Horse Flight
- 203rd Weather Flight
- 211th Engineering Installation Squadron
- 271st Combat Communications Squadron
- 148th Air Support Operations Squadron
- 553rd Air Force Band/Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic
The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron (formerly the 114th Tactical Control Flight) at Johnstown-Cambria County Airport
Johnstown-Cambria County Airport
The John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one commercial airline. Service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service. The airport is named after the late Congressman John Murtha.The John Murtha...
was assigned to the 193 SOW, but was realigned into the ANG's 171st Air Refueling Wing
171st Air Refueling Wing
The United States Air Force's 171st Air Refueling Wing is an Air Mobility Command -gained unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. An aerial refueling and air mobility unit, it has been located since 1964 at Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania.-Units:The 171st ARW presently has 16...
(171 ARW) at Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
/Air Reserve Station shortly after moving to Johnstown.
Stations
- Reading Army Airfield (later AFB) (Spaatz Field), Pennsylvania, 1946–1951, 1952–1964
- Dover AFB, Delaware, 1951–1952
- Olmstead Air Force Base, Pennsylvania, 1964–1969
- Olmsted Air National Guard Base, 1969 – present
Aircraft
- A-26 InvaderA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
, 1947–1949 - F-51 Mustang, 1949–1951, 1952–1956
- F-84C Thunderjet, 1951
- F-94C Starfire, 1951–1952
- C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
, 1956–1958 - C-119 Flying BoxcarC-119 Flying BoxcarThe Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
, 1958–1964 - EC-121 Constellation (1964–1980)
- EC-130E Commando Solo (1980–2004)
- EC-130J Commando Solo (2004 – present)
External links
- 193d Special Operations Wing site
- 193d Special Operations Wing at GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
- 193d Special Operations Wing Association