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Waging war with wits, words

by Navy Chief Journalist Douglas H. Stutz
U.S. Central Command Public Affairs

02/27/03 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- In response to Iraq's continued hostility and threat to its people, U.S. Central Command is using a specially equipped aircraft to broadcast information into Iraq. The intent is to deter Iraqi aggression against its neighbors by educating and informing the Iraqi people and military.

The broadcast information campaign is part of a two-step process that also involves dropping informational leaflets. The Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing is no stranger to the task at hand. It flies EC-130 Commando Solo aircraft capable of broadcasting information via AM and FM radio and also by television.

A dozen years ago, an infuriated Iraqi President Saddam Hussein went on record before, during and after the Gulf War as telling his anti-air artillery crews to specifically direct their aim not at coalition fighters or bombers, but rather at the unpretentious Commando Solo aircraft.

The 193rd SOW was conducting psychological operations back then. This gave Iraqi citizens another viewpoint, another option and another voice that conflicted with the heavy-handed message of Hussein's regime.

The wing is back again on the Arabian Peninsula conducting Commando Solo missions all in the realm of information warfare.

"It is no stretch to the imagination that our mission can either help stop or start a war," said Senior Master Sgt. David Myers, an electronic communication system operator. "What we are doing is trying to bring about a safe, peaceful solution to the current crisis. We all feel our job here is very worthwhile.

"On every mission we undertake, our nation's reputation and credibility is at stake," he said. "One of the main messages we broadcast is that if there is a conflict, we don't want any of the civilian population to be the ones who suffer and die because of it. For example, during (Operation) Desert Storm, a tasking order we had was to broadcast messages to our own troops on the ground to divert them (to) another area, as well as have the local (people) seek shelter elsewhere and Iraqi soldiers surrender to avoid an upcoming B-52 (Stratofortress) bombing raid."

The Commando Solo aircraft can also jam or override local transmissions in an effort to persuade listeners to tune to the information broadcast frequencies.

Besides the aircrew, there is typically a crew of one officer and five enlisted airmen that handle the aerial broadcast station that is outfitted with a diverse selection of radio and television broadcasting equipment.

"The material used is a very precise, developed and produced package of timely notifications and bulletins that are put together by experts in the cultural norms and linguistic syntax of specific Iraqi districts," said Myers. "Once the entire package is readied, it is then electronically sent to the 193rd to be used as the schedule fits."

The next schedule for the 193rd SOW included a series of leaflet drops involving support for Operation Southern Watch. According to Myers, the 193rd SOW has engaged in supporting the drops with a sort of "electronic leaflet" campaign aimed at informing people about the leaflets.

During numerous drops since December, a range of southern Iraqi cities have received various styles of leaflets referring them to tune to the specific radio frequencies used by the 193rd SOW so they could hear the broadcast messages and information about U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, weapons inspectors in Iraq, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's reign and other topics.