Officials cannot say enough about the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania National Guard, but they can't say much about the Air National Guard's only Special Operations unit either.

Lt. Edward Shank, pubic affairs officer for the unit, said he couldn't disclose in what country the 193rd is currently operating, or how many of their personnel or aircraft have been involved in Operation Enduring Freedom in or near Afghanistan.

What Shank can say is that the unit's famous self-contained radio and broadcast station, Commando Solo, has been involved in broadcasting surrender messages to the Taliban in Afghanistan and information to the Afghani people. And every one of the wing's members on the mission volunteered for the rotation.

The highly specialized unit is recognized for its contributions in conflicts dating back to 1970. And Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently praised the 193rd during a press conference discussing the conflict in Afghanistan.

"When Secretary (of Defense Donald H.) Rumsfeld stands up in front of the Press Corps and names our unit specifically," Shank said, "that's pretty special." read more . . . .