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47-698: The Boeing E-6B Mercury " TACAMO " replaced the EC-135C. Officially known as " Operation Looking Glass ", at least 11 EC-135C command post aircraft were provided to the Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), and were based at various locations throughout the United States and worldwide. Operations began in 1961 with the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base (Nebraska), initially using EC-135As (converted from KC-135As ) until

94-515: A dedicated, individual telephone line provided to the aircraft. The ground stations were self sufficient in that they were configured in trailers so they could be relocated to safer positions in the event of a national emergency.  The equipment installed in the vans was identical to the electronics on board the aircraft.  This necessitated the requirement for motor-generators to provide conversion from 60 Hz to 400 Hz power. Each equipment van had an omni-directional antenna mounted on

141-604: A mission known as TACAMO ("Take Charge And Move Out"). The E-6B model deployed in October 1998 has the ability to remotely control Minuteman ICBMs using the Airborne Launch Control System . The E-6B replaced Air Force EC-135Cs in the Looking Glass role, providing command and control of U.S. nuclear forces should ground-based control become inoperable. With production lasting until 1991,

188-758: A re-engining that changed the EC-135N to the EC-135E . In 1994, the ARIA fleet relocated again to Edwards AFB , California, as part of the 412th Test Wing . However, taskings for the ARIA dwindled because of high costs and improved satellite technology, and the USAF transferred the aircraft to other programs such as E-8 J-STARS . Over its thirty-two year career, the ARIA supported the United States space program, gathered telemetry, verified international treaties, and supported cruise missile , ballistic missile defense tests, and

235-481: A short while on the EC-135L. Starting in 1970, there were only two SAC squadrons that operated ALCS capable aircraft. This included the 2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACCS) operating EC-135C aircraft out of Offutt AFB and the 4th ACCS operating EC-135A, EC-135C, and EC-135G aircraft out of Ellsworth AFB . All three variants of these EC-135A/C/G aircraft had ALCS equipment installed on board. The 4th ACCS

282-829: A steerable seven-foot antenna dish in its distinctive "Droop Snoot" or "Snoopy Nose", the EC-135N A/RIA became operational in January 1968, and was often known as the " Jimmy Durante " of the Air Force. The Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) at Patrick AFB , Florida, maintained and operated the A/RIA until the end of the Apollo program in 1972, when the USAF renamed it the Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA). Since Patrick AFB

329-572: A survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30 Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force by utilizing the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) on board which is operated by an airborne missileer crew. Historically, from 1967–1998, the ALCC mission was performed by United States Air Force Boeing EC-135 command post aircraft. This included EC-135A, EC-135C, EC-135G, and EC-135L aircraft. Today,

376-539: Is Looking Glass; its crew and staff ensure there is always an aircraft ready to direct bombers and missiles from the air should ground-based command centers be destroyed or rendered inoperable. Looking Glass is intended to guarantee that U.S. strategic forces will act only in the manner dictated by the President. It took the nickname "Looking Glass" because the mission mirrored ground-based command, control, and communications centers. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) began

423-777: Is an airborne command post and communications relay based on the Boeing 707-300 . The original E-6A manufactured by Boeing's defense division entered service with the United States Navy in July 1989, replacing the EC-130Q . This platform, now modified to the E-6B standard, conveys instructions from the National Command Authority to fleet ballistic missile submarines (see communication with submarines ),

470-443: Is on alert around-the-clock. The ALCS mission has been held by multiple aircraft during the last 50 years: From 1967 to 1992, three dedicated Airborne Launch Control Centers (ALCC) were on ground or airborne alert around the clock providing ALCS coverage for five of the six Minuteman ICBM wings. These dedicated ALCCs were mostly EC-135A aircraft but could also have been EC-135C or EC-135G aircraft depending on availability. ALCC No. 1

517-709: The E-3D Sentry aircraft that had been in service with the Royal Air Force was purchased for conversion into a dedicated E-6 trainer. This was done as a means to extend the life of the operational fleet by reducing the need for E-6s to be used for training missions. In 2015, both the Air Force and Navy realized that they needed new aircraft to serve the missions of both the E-4 and the E-6. At one point, they considered building one plane to replace both aircraft, but by 2020,

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564-641: The Space Shuttle . ARIA aircraft were equipped to collect data from the Sonobuoy Missile Impact Location System (SMILS) composed of a large sonobuoy field and a fixed bottom transponder. Specially equipped Navy P-3 aircraft were also equipped to collect data from this system which supported the Navy's fleet ballistic missile programs testing. Boeing E-6 Mercury The Boeing E-6 Mercury (formerly Hermes )

611-447: The 513th Avionics Maintenance Squadron and the 2147th Communications Squadron. Aircraft S/Ns 61–0282, 285, 286 and 291. Operation Scope Light provided five EC-135C/HJ/P command post aircraft to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command (CINCLANT), which were based at Langley AFB (Virginia). Operated by the 6th Airborne Command and Control Squadron 1972–92. Operation Blue Eagle provided five EC-135J/P command post aircraft to

658-602: The ALCC mission is performed by airborne missileers from Air Force Global Strike Command 's (AFGSC) 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Starting on October 1, 1998, the ALCS has been located on board the United States Navy's E-6B Mercury . The ALCS crew is integrated into the battle staff of the USSTRATCOM " Looking Glass " Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and

705-427: The Air Force's EC-135Cs ceased to perform USSTRATCOM Looking Glass operations and was subsequently retired. The Navy's E-6B Mercury took over USSTRATCOM's Looking Glass mission and associated ALCC mission. Today, at least one E-6B Looking Glass Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) is on alert around the clock performing the ALCC mission. It is postured with a full USSTRATCOM battlestaff and ALCS crew on board to perform

752-701: The Blue Eagle Ground Station.  The call sign for the Kadena Blue Eagle Operation was “Settler”. All Blue Eagle Ground Stations were contracted to Philco Corporation and consisted of two trailer vans that could be pulled by a single tractor.  One van was configured with a 15KW diesel powered generator and diesel fuel tank and the other was outfitted with a 15-ton heavy duty air conditioning unit, three motor generators, three UHF/VHF FM transmitters and receivers, two multiplexers each providing up to 24 telephone lines and

799-457: The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC), which were based at Hickam AFB (Hawaii). Operated by the 9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron 1969–92. Communications, secure/unsecure voice and teletype, handled by the 1957th Communications Group, Hickam AFB (1969–1992) "Upkeep" was the call sign for the EC135 flying in southeast Asia during 1969 to 1971, based out of Hickam AFB. It

846-475: The Commander, United States Central Command . These aircraft have since been replaced with three C-37A Gulfstream V aircraft. The Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft are EC-135B s, modified C-135 B cargo aircraft and EC-18B (former American Airlines 707-320 ) passenger aircraft that provided tracking and telemetry information to support the US space program in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During

893-636: The E-6 is United States Strategic Command 's (USSTRATCOM) Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). It is designed to take over in case the Global Operations Center (GOC), located at Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , is destroyed or incapable of communicating with strategic forces. The term "Looking Glass" is used because the ABNCP "mirrors" the abilities of the US Strategic Command GOC to control nuclear forces. The E-6A, which

940-652: The E-6 was the final new derivative of the Boeing 707 to be built. Like the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, the E-6 is adapted from Boeing's 707-320 airliner. Rolled out at Boeing's Renton Factory in December 1986, the first E-6 made its maiden flight in February 1987, when it was flown to nearby Boeing Field in south Seattle for fitting of mission avionics. It

987-472: The E-6B standard, with the final delivery taking place in December 2006. The E-6 cannot use the probe-and-drogue in-flight refueling method that most other US Navy aircraft use. It uses a flying boom receptacle on the upper-forward fuselage, making it, like the Navy's Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft, reliant upon specific U.S. Air Force aircraft ( KC-135 Stratotanker , KC-10 Extender , and KC-46 Pegasus ) for in-flight refueling. Codenamed Looking Glass ,

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1034-534: The EASTAUXCP was ALCS capable, it did not have a dedicated ALCS mission. Operation Silk Purse program provided four EC-135H command post aircraft to the Commander, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), which were based at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. Flown by the 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron 1970–91. Onboard secure/non-secure communications and avionics equipment was maintained by

1081-683: The Looking Glass mission in the event the USSTRATCOM Global Operations Center (GOC) is incapacitated. The aircraft can take off quickly to avoid any threat. The ALCS crew on board still provides a survivable launch capability for the Air Force's Minuteman III ICBMs located at the three remaining missile wings located at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, Minot AFB, North Dakota; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Just like its original inception, ALCS on alert today provides an adversary with an insurmountable task of trying to destroy

1128-547: The Looking Glass mission on February 3, 1961, and Looking Glass aircraft were continuously airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years, accumulating more than 281,000 accident-free flying hours. On July 24, 1990, "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. The EC-135A flew the Command Post mission until EC-135C were delivered starting in 1963. The aircraft were delivered to Offutt AFB and as well as one aircraft to each of

1175-570: The Minuteman ICBM Wing at Malmstrom AFB (Montana) providing ALCS assistance if needed. The 4th ACCS also maintained an EC-135C or EC-135G on ground alert at Ellsworth AFB as the West Auxiliary Airborne Command Post (WESTAUXCP) as a backup to SAC's " Looking Glass " Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) as well as a radio relay link between the Looking Glass and ALCCs when airborne. Although equipped with ALCS,

1222-425: The Minuteman ICBM Wing located at Whiteman AFB (Missouri). Not only did Whiteman AFB have Minuteman II ICBMs, but it also had ERCS configured Minuteman missiles on alert. The 2nd ACCS also had an additional EC-135C on ground alert at Offutt AFB as the EASTAUXCP, providing backup to the airborne Looking Glass, radio relay capability, and a means for the Commander in Chief of SAC to escape an enemy nuclear attack. Although

1269-858: The Minuteman ICBM Wings at Minot AFB and Grand Forks AFB, both in North Dakota, providing ALCS assistance if needed. ALCC No. 2 was dedicated to orbiting near the Minuteman ICBM Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, providing ALCS assistance if needed. After 1992, with the end of the Cold War and the disbanding of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), ALCS remained on alert with the SAC and the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) EC-135C Airborne Command Posts. On October 1, 1998

1316-478: The Minuteman Wings at Ellsworth AFB and F.E. Warren AFB (Wyoming) providing ALCS assistance if needed. ALCCs No. 2 and No. 3 were routinely on forward deployed ground alert at Minot AFB. During a wartime scenario, ALCC No. 3 would have orbited between the Minuteman ICBM Wings at Minot AFB and Grand Forks AFB, both in North Dakota, providing ALCS assistance if needed. ALCC No. 2 was dedicated to orbiting near

1363-729: The Navy decided to go its own way and develop an aircraft specifically for the TACAMO mission, under the E-XX TACAMO program. The Air Force independently pursued an E-4 replacement under the Survivable Airborne Operations Center program. The Navy selected a variant of the Lockheed EC-130J , specifically one derived from the lengthened C-130J-30 . Initial orders were placed in late 2020 with development beginning in earnest in 2022. Delivery of

1410-401: The President of the United States which were based at Andrews AFB (Maryland). All three aircraft were transferred to other ABNCP missions. Nightwatch was initiated in the mid-1960s utilizing the three EC-135J aircraft, modified from KC-135Bs, as command post aircraft. The three Nightwatch aircraft were ready to fly the President and the National Command Authority (NCA) out of Washington in

1457-511: The Stateside Numbered Air Force Headquarters – Second Air Force at Barksdale AFB (Louisiana); Eighth Air Force at Westover AFB (Massachusetts); and Fifteenth Air Force at March AFB (California). EC-135s flew all the missions except one, on March 4, 1980, when an E-4B was tested on an operational mission, flying a double sortie as the replacement aircraft could not launch due to weather. About a week after

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1504-516: The WESTAUXCP did not have a dedicated Minuteman ICBM wing to provide ALCS assistance to. The 2nd ACCS was another major player in ALCS operations. The primary mission of the 2nd ACCS was to fly the SAC ABNCP " Looking Glass " aircraft in continuous airborne operations. However, due to its proximity in orbiting over the central United States, the airborne Looking Glass provided ALCS coverage for

1551-409: The dedicated EC-135Cs entered service in 1964. Originally built as KC-135Bs, they were re-designated as EC-135Cs from 1 January 1965. Other Offutt-based units included the 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (1966–1970), the 2d Airborne Command and Control Squadron (1970–1994), and the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (1994–1998). Other units operating the Looking Glass mission included

1598-738: The early 1960s, NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) needed a very mobile tracking and telemetry platform to support the Apollo space program and other unmanned space flight operations. In a joint project, NASA and the DoD contracted with the McDonnell Douglas and the Bendix Corporations to modify eight Boeing C-135 Stratolifter cargo aircraft into EC-135N Apollo / Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA). Equipped with

1645-535: The event of a nuclear attack. The E-4 aircraft (a modified Boeing 747-200) came on line with the Nightwatch program in 1974 replacing the EC-135s on this mission. The 310th Airlift Squadron , part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB (Florida), operated two NKC-135 s that were reconfigured as EC-135Y aircraft from 1989 to 2003 as executive transport and command & control platforms to support

1692-722: The first aircraft is expected in FY26. The Navy expects the E-6 to fulfill the TACAMO role into the 2030s as the E-XX is transitioned into service. In October 2024, the replacement aircraft was officially named E-130J . Data from Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1992–93 The US Navy – Fact File: E-6B Mercury Airborne Command Post General characteristics Performance Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Airborne Launch Control Center Airborne Launch Control Centers (ALCC—pronounced "Al-see") provide

1739-600: The flight, Washington deleted the funds for additional E-4 aircraft. On June 1, 1992, SAC was inactivated and replaced by the United States Strategic Command , which now controls the Looking Glass. On October 1, 1998, the Navy's E-6 Mercury TACAMO replaced the USAF's EC-135C in the Looking Glass mission. The last active, former, Looking Glass was converted to a WC-135C Constant Phoenix , where it

1786-668: The following: Other EC-135 aircraft (including EC-135A, G, and L models) supporting the Looking Glass missions (communications relay and Minuteman airborne launch control centers ) were flown by the 906th Air Refueling Squadron at Minot Air Force Base (North Dakota) (1963–1970), the 70th Air Refueling Squadron at Grissom AFB (1975–1993), and the 301st Air Refueling Squadron at Lockbourne Air Force Base (Ohio) (1963–1970). All aircraft have been retired or repurposed. The United States nuclear strategy depends on its ability to command, control, and communicate with its nuclear forces under all conditions. An essential element of that ability

1833-462: The roof of the van and 3 additional portable antennas that were deployed on telephone poles.  The antennas could be switched electro-mechanically from each transmitter/receiver pair.  The vans at Kadena AB were never moved from their initial installation location. Blue Eagle was formed in 1965 and started 24/7 operation in October 1965 and continued until disbanded in 1992. Operation Nightwatch provided three EC-135J command post aircraft to

1880-516: Was delivered to the Navy for testing in July 1988. The E-6B is an upgrade of the E-6A. It includes a battlestaff area and updated mission equipment. The flight deck systems were later replaced with an off-the-shelf 737 Next Generation cockpit. This greatly increases the situational awareness of the pilot and saves significant cost over the previous custom avionics package. The first E-6B was accepted in December 1997. All 16 E-6A aircraft were modified to

1927-657: Was initially named Hermes , entered service with squadron VQ-3 in August 1989. A second squadron, VQ-4 , received its first E-6As in January 1991, allowing the EC-130Q to be phased out in June 1991. The E-6A was renamed Mercury in autumn 1991 by request of the Navy. Sixteen E-6A planes were delivered from 1988 to 1992. The E-6 fleet is based at Tinker Air Force Base , Oklahoma , and operated by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VQ-3) , VQ-4 , and VQ-7. In 2021, one of

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1974-464: Was located on the Atlantic Ocean, salt water and salt air-induced corrosion issues and associated aircraft maintenance challenges were problematic for the ARIA while based there. Transferred to the 4950th Test Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB , Ohio, in December 1975 as part of an overall consolidation of large test and evaluation aircraft, the ARIA fleet underwent numerous conversions, including

2021-404: Was on ground alert at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and during a wartime scenario would have taken off and orbited between the Minuteman Wings at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, providing ALCS assistance if needed. ALCCs No. 2 and No. 3 were routinely on forward deployed ground alert at Minot AFB, North Dakota. During a wartime scenario, ALCC No. 3 would have orbited between

2068-454: Was performed by United States Air Force Boeing EC-135 command post aircraft. This included EC-135A, EC-135C, EC-135G, and EC-135L aircraft. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, ALCS crews belonged to the 44th Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) at Ellsworth AFB and the 91st SMW at Minot AFB. ALCS equipment was installed on various Boeing EC-135 variants to include the EC-135A, EC-135C, EC-135G, and for

2115-455: Was retired in November 2020. Airborne Launch Control Centers (ALCC—pronounced "Al-see") provided a survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30 Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force by utilizing the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) on board that is operated by an airborne missileer crew. Historically, from 1967 to 1998, the ALCC mission

2162-448: Was the workhorse of ALCS operations. Three dedicated Airborne Launch Control Centers (ALCC) were on ground alert around-the-clock providing ALCS coverage for five of the six Minuteman ICBM Wings. These dedicated ALCCs were mostly EC-135A aircraft but could also have been EC-135C or EC-135G aircraft depending on availability. ALCC No. 1 was on ground alert at Ellsworth AFB and during a wartime scenario would have taken off and orbited between

2209-473: Was under the direction of PACAF of which 5th AF in Fuchu AS, Tokyo Japan handled their voice communications both unsecure and secure. <1956 Comm Gp USAF 1969 to 1971> Blue Eagle Ground Stations were located at Hickam AFB, Yakoto AB (Japan) Kadena AB (Okinawa), and Clark AB (Philippines).  There may have been an additional Ground Station on Guam. At Kadena AB, the 1962nd Communications Group hosted

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