Home Page Home Page PNGAS Leadership and Email Addresses Upcoming Events NGAPA Membership Insurance Benefits Organizational Constitutions and Bylaws Links to sites of interest PNGAS Privacy Policy -- Important Please Read PNGAS Golf Shirts and Other Products Join PNGAS

Final Destination

Plane Comes in for Historic Final Landing at Indiantown Gap
EC-130 to Become Static Display

By Senior Airman Raina Kane

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP (Aug. 3) -- As the Pennsylvania Air National Guard EC-130 firmly touched down at Fort Indiantown Gap on its final landing, it was a bittersweet moment for many.

The aircraft, assigned to the Harrisburg-based 193rd Special Operations Wing, was formally retired after landing at Muir Field on a sweltering summer afternoon. However, the plane will live on as a static display at the installation.

The EC-130 has been part of the 193rd since 1977. It was deployed worldwide as a “weapon of mass persuasion,” broadcasting information over standard radio and television frequencies. Before being decommissioned in early 2006, it flew 12,000 hours – 2,700 of which were combat hours.

The aircraft saw duty in Operations Urgent Fury, Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Sea Signal, Uphold Democracy, Joint Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. It also was utilized in numerous missions that are still classified. “The main mission of the aircraft was information operations,” said Col. Jerry Otterbein, 193rd vice commander and pilot. “It’s hard to see it retire,” he added, “considering I have quite a few flying hours on this aircraft.”

The EC-130 was the largest aircraft ever to land at Muir Field. As the plane came to a stop about midway down the 3,900-foot runway, a cheer came from military personnel and civilians watching the final flight of 63 triple seven. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Al Kapp, who worked at the 193rd for 33 years, came out to see the final flight. His last flight as a Guard loadmaster was on the aircraft.

“It just brings back memories and good times of when I flew with the unit,” said Kapp, adding that he is glad to see the aircraft was retired here because it has finally come home.

Kapp is a member of the Air National Guard Association and visits the 193rd whenever he can.

The EC-130E models are slowly being replaced with EC-130J models throughout the Air National Guard. The new models have much more capability, said Col. Otterbein, with newer and more updated operating systems. These allow crews to fly longer, higher and faster, according to Otterbein.

The EC-130E joins an F-102 Delta Dagger and UH-1Huey as aviation static displays at Fort Indiantown Gap.