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128-435: The code name "Looking Glass" came from the aircraft's ability to "mirror" the command and control functions of the underground command post at the U.S. Air Force 's Strategic Air Command (SAC) headquarters at Offutt AFB , Nebraska . The SAC Airborne Command Post or "Looking Glass" was initiated in 1960, with the conversion of 5 KC-135A tankers in to Airborne Command Posts. On July 1, 1960 operational testing began under

256-530: A BRAC 1991 decision, the installation was downsized to an Air Force Reserve installation and renamed Grissom Air Reserve Base. Since then it has been a joint-use civil airport/military base. Approximately 1700 acres plus the runway and taxiways comprise the current military installation, with the Grissom Aeroplex comprising the civilian aviation activities providing general aviation and charter service. Originally named Bunker Hill Air Force Base,

384-434: A Brig , but was changed to a Reception Center. It was a one-story rectangular frame building, 51 ft × 33 ft (16 m × 10 m), with a partial, 10 ft × 19 ft (3.0 m × 5.8 m), basement that contained an oil fired steam boiler. Building No. 1 was the administration building. The two-story U-shaped building was 146 ft × 64 ft (45 m × 20 m), with

512-668: A "systemic problem" in the USAF's management of the nuclear mission. Bunker Hill AFB Grissom Air Reserve Base is a United States Air Force base, located about 12 miles (19 km) north of Kokomo in Cass and Miami counties in Indiana. The facility was established as a U.S. Navy installation, Naval Air Station Bunker Hill , in 1942 and was an active Air Force installation, Bunker Hill Air Force Base from 1954 to 1968, and Grissom Air Force Base from 1968 to 1994. Pursuant to

640-493: A 15 hp (11 kW) electric motor. Distribution points for 73 octane gasoline consisted of a tank truck filling stand, 200 gpm, and 56 gasoline servicing pits for fuelling planes directly, located at the warmup aprons, with capacity to fuel 48 planes simultaneously at the rate of 25 U.S. gal/min (0.0016 m /s) per plane. The 100 octane gasoline, the tank truck filling stand was capable of 300 U.S. gal/min (0.019 m /s), and four planes could be fueled at

768-484: A 20 mi (32 km) radius, with a combined area of 4,696 acres (1,900 ha). Of the 2,158 acres, approximately 75 acres (30 ha) were of dense timber that needed to be cleared. Other obstructions included, houses, barns, boulders, and county and state roads. The main base was, and still is, located approximately 9 mi (14 km) south of Peru, Indiana, on US Route 31 ; eighteen mi (29 km) north of Kokomo ; Logansport 20 mi (32 km) to

896-554: A Mission Commander, a Strike Advisor, an Airborne Launch Control System /Intelligence Officer, a Meteorological Effects Officer, a Logistics Officer, a Force Status Controller, and an Emergency Actions NCO. In addition to being able to direct the launch of ICBMs using the Airborne Launch Control System , the E-6B can communicate Emergency Action Messages (EAM) to nuclear submarines running at depth by extending

1024-426: A broader dimension of time or space than do tactics; they provide the means by which tactical successes are exploited to achieve strategic and operational objectives. Tactical Level Command and Control is where individual battles and engagements are fought. The tactical level of war deals with how forces are employed, and the specifics of how engagements are conducted and targets attacked. The goal of tactical level C2

1152-574: A capacity for 200 men. Buildings 31A and 31B, Junior Bachelor Officers' Quarters, did not utilize standard construction plans. They were two-story rectangular frame buildings 136 ft 4 in (41.55 m)×29 ft 6 in (8.99 m), with partial basements enclosing the heater rooms that were 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)×12 ft (3.7 m). They each contained 42 rooms for officers, with recreation rooms, screened porch, showers, and toilets. Each building could house 84 officers and had 8,500 sq ft (790 m ). Building 31E

1280-496: A capacity for 3,836 guns, along with toilet facilities. Building 33 was the Small Arms Magazine. A one-story, 25 ft × 19 ft (7.6 m × 5.8 m), reinforced concrete building, windowless, with a floor level 4.5 in (110 mm) below grade level. The building was covered in a mound of earth with a ventilation duct extending to the top of the mound. Building 44 was originally earmarked for

1408-483: A capacity of 25,000 US gal (95,000 L; 21,000 imp gal) that were connected to the main 275,000 US gal (1,040,000 L; 229,000 imp gal) storage tank. Structures 16 and 43 were for fuel oil storage. Fuel oil would be unloaded at the fuel oil transfer house, building 43, a 16 ft (4.9 m)×14 ft 6 in (4.42 m), reinforced concrete building, from railroad tank cars . Three tank cars could be unload simultaneously,

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1536-438: A cleanup plan for drinking water around Tucson, Arizona after the region's groundwater was contaminated by PFAS runoff from nearby Air Force bases. The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts and operations using military air operations. The USAF possesses the lineage and heritage of its predecessor organizations, which played a pivotal role in U.S. military operations since 1907: In addition since

1664-490: A clear height of 43 ft (13 m) in the center, and measured 83 ft × 112 ft (25 m × 34 m). The first floor of the auditorium contained a stage, two dressing rooms, lounge, soda fountain, cafeteria, canteen, Ships Service store, billiard room, barber shop, cobbler shop, tailor shop, showers and toilets. The second floor had a lounge, library, reading and writing rooms, Chaplain's office, CPO recreation rooms, showers, and toilets. The main floor had

1792-509: A coal bin and transformer room of unknown dimension. The building was of a Quonset style with a 58 ft (18 m) radius of curvature on the roof. At the time of its construction it was touted as the second largest indoor pool in the world. It was intended to be used for lifeboat and abandon ship training. The pool itself was 75 ft × 150 ft (23 m × 46 m) with upper galleries. The galleries lead to two platforms of wooden boards supported by pipe scaffolding bolted to

1920-458: A commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission" (JP 1-02). This core function includes all of the C2-related capabilities and activities associated with air, cyberspace, nuclear, and agile combat support operations to achieve strategic, operational, and tactical objectives. At the strategic level command and control,

2048-612: A day for over 29 years, until July 24, 1990, when "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. Looking Glass mirrors ground-based command, control, and communications (C3 or C³) located at the USSTRATCOM Global Operations Center (GOC) at Offutt AFB. The EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were equipped with the Airborne Launch Control System , capable of transmitting launch commands to U.S. ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in

2176-416: A few buildings equipped with separate boilers, all buildings on Station were supplied with 100 psi (690 kPa) of steam through a 38,000 ft (12,000 m) welded underground steam distribution supply and return mains. The steam was used for both heating and hot water heating . Buildings 48–1 through 48–5 were transformer houses. The city of Peru provided a 33,000 volt transmission line that fed

2304-894: A force multiplier. It allows air assets to more rapidly reach any trouble spot around the world with less dependence on forward staging bases or overflight/landing clearances. Air refueling significantly expands the options available to a commander by increasing the range, payload, persistence, and flexibility of receiver aircraft. Aeromedical evacuation is "the movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation" (JP 1-02). JP 4-02, Health Service Support, further defines it as "the fixed wing movement of regulated casualties to and between medical treatment facilities, using organic and/or contracted mobility airframes, with aircrew trained explicitly for this mission." Aeromedical evacuation forces can operate as far forward as fixed-wing aircraft are able to conduct airland operations. Global precision attack

2432-445: A hose tower that was 8 ft × 8 ft (2.4 m × 2.4 m) by 37 ft (11 m) tall. Water and Fire Protection were provided by building 21 and Well Houses 42–1 and 42–2. Two 160 ft (49 m) deep 12 in (300 mm) wells provided water for the base. The well houses had pumps capable of 350 U.S. gal/min (0.022 m /s) that transferred the water through an 8 in (200 mm) line to

2560-500: A large number of movable, built on skids for easy removal, tool storage sheds and small storehouses. All construction material was delivered by truck until the completion of the spur track on 10 June 1942, after which a large portion of the construction material came in by rail. Peak days of traffic volume were as follows: 129 freight carloads of paving material received via the spur track on 30 October 1942, and 1755 truck loads of paving material received on 25 October 1942. In addition to

2688-487: A minimum of 10 ft (3.0 m) within the property line of the base, 40 ft (12 m) along State Highway 218 . Building 3A was the Guardhouse. This was a one-story, 27 ft × 27 ft (8.2 m × 8.2 m), building with a 9 ft (2.7 m) wide porch on two sides. Building 6 was the operations building. All flight operations were controlled from an air-conditioned observation room in

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2816-523: A nation state, or non-state/transnational actor. The Air Force maintains and presents credible deterrent capabilities through successful visible demonstrations and exercises that assure allies, dissuade proliferation, deter potential adversaries from actions that threaten US national security or the populations, and deploy military forces of the US, its allies, and friends. Nuclear strike is the ability of nuclear forces to rapidly and accurately strike targets which

2944-455: A one-story wing on each end. The center section, for final assembly, had a clear area, unobstructed by columns, 80 ft × 120 ft (24 m × 37 m), with a 5 short tons (4.5 t) overhead crane . Other portions of the first floor were divided into wing and engine overhaul, starter and accessory overhaul, carburetor shop, machine shop, piston and cylinder repair, and tear down shops. General and small offices were located on

3072-662: A partial basement, 9 ft × 12 ft (2.7 m × 3.7 m), that contained the heater room. The general administrative offices of the Station were on the first floor, while the second floor had the Commanding Officers' and Executive Officer's suites, communications and record offices. The total floor area was 13,600 sq ft (1,260 m ). Buildings 2E and 2W were the Squadron Administration buildings. These were utilized by

3200-405: A precondition" (Annex 3–70, Strategic Attack). Air Interdiction is defined as "air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve JFC objectives. Air Interdiction is conducted at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with

3328-494: A rapid cessation of hostilities. Post-conflict, regeneration of a credible nuclear deterrent capability will deter further aggression. The Air Force may present a credible force posture in either the Continental United States , within a theater of operations, or both to effectively deter the range of potential adversaries envisioned in the 21st century. This requires the ability to engage targets globally using

3456-749: A seating capacity of 1,500 men with another 280 in the balcony. Total floor area was 43,010 sq ft (3,996 m ). Building 24 was the Water Survival Training Pool. The building was a rectangular, 120 ft × 260 ft (37 m × 79 m), two-story building, with a partial basement. The basement contained a boiler room, 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)×24 ft 6 in (7.47 m), which housed two K-44-S14-LPS boilers; fan/blower room, 19 ft (5.8 m)×24 ft 6 in (7.47 m); coagulation basin and filter room, both measuring 20 ft 7 in (6.27 m)×12 ft 8 in (3.86 m); and

3584-433: A seating copacity of 912 men with 31,350 sq ft (2,913 m ). The cadets' mess, buildings 27 and 27A, were S1 Type Subsistence buildings, which were smaller, at 210 ft × 180 ft (64 m × 55 m); one partial basement, 22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)×11 ft 9 in (3.58 m). The seating capacity was 456 men with 18,100 sq ft (1,680 m ). Buildings 4A and 4B were

3712-767: A sharp reduction in flight hours for crew training since 2005 and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel directing Airmen's Time Assessments. On 5 June 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted the resignations of both the Secretary of the Air Force , Michael Wynne , and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force , General T. Michael Moseley . In his decision to fire both men Gates cited "systemic issues associated with... declining Air Force nuclear mission focus and performance". Left unmentioned by Gates

3840-452: A strong focus on the improvement of Basic Military Training (BMT) for enlisted personnel. While the intense training has become longer, it also has shifted to include a deployment phase. This deployment phase, now called the BEAST, places the trainees in a simulated combat environment that they may experience once they deploy. While the trainees do tackle the massive obstacle courses along with

3968-615: A sub-station at the northeast corner of the base. The sub-station had three 500KVA step down transformers that took the voltage from 33,000 volt, 3 phase, 3 wire to 12,500 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire. Primary distribution was then by aerial or underground transmission to secondary distribution locations. There were 4.35 mi (7.00 km) of overhead line, with 17 mi (27 km) of bare copper wire; and 4 mi (6.4 km) of underground line, with 13 mi (21 km) of lead covered cable, 15.5 mi (24.9 km) of fiber conduit encased in concrete and 58 manholes . To further step down

Operation Looking Glass - Misplaced Pages Continue

4096-594: A total area of 209,940 sq yd (175,540 m ), with 2800 steel mooring eyes located in the concrete. Buildings 29A–29H consisted of eight B1 Type Barracks for the enlisted men. These barracks were two-story, H-shaped framed buildings 168 ft × 100 ft (51 m × 30 m). The second floor ceilings were insulated and the exterior wall finish was cement asbestos shingles. Each building housed 230 men, and were 17,720 sq ft (1,646 m ). The students were housed in similar B1 Type Barracks, buildings 30A, 30B, 30G, and 30H, but with only

4224-704: A two and a half-mile-long (4 km) trailing wire antenna (TWA) for use with the Survivable Low Frequency Communications System (SLFCS), as the EC-135C could. There was some speculation that the "mystery plane" seen flying over the White House on September 11, 2001 , was some newer incarnation of Looking Glass. However, the plane circling the White House on 9/11 was a E-4B (callsign ADDIS77/VENUS77) acting as

4352-500: A two-story lean-to which contained offices, shops, and toilets on the first floor, and a mezzanine, 20 ft × 160 ft (6.1 m × 48.8 m), divided into offices, parts and storage rooms. Each hangar had a total floor area of 50,580 sq ft (4,699 m ). Building 8 was the Assembly and Repair Shop. The two-story building was rectangular, 161 ft × 141 ft (49 m × 43 m), with

4480-510: A variety of methods; therefore, the Air Force should possess the ability to induct, train, assign, educate and exercise individuals and units to rapidly and effectively execute missions that support US NDO objectives. Finally, the Air Force regularly exercises and evaluates all aspects of nuclear operations to ensure high levels of performance. Nuclear surety ensures the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear operations. Because of their political and military importance, destructive power, and

4608-459: Is "the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing elements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to obtain required information to satisfy intelligence needs (via use of sources and methods in all domains). Collection activities span the Range of Military Operations (ROMO). Processing and exploitation is "the conversion of collected information into forms suitable to

4736-417: Is "the employment of limited offensive action and counterattacks to deny a contested area or position to the enemy" (JP 1-02). It includes both ballistic missile defense and airborne threat defense and encompasses point defense, area defense, and high-value airborne asset defense. Passive defense is "measures taken to reduce the probability of and to minimize the effects of damage caused by hostile action without

4864-425: Is defined as "all the defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace" (JP 1-02). In concert with OCA operations, a major goal of DCA operations is to provide an area from which forces can operate, secure from air and missile threats. The DCA mission comprises both active and passive defense measures. Active defense

4992-534: Is defined as "offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, but as close to their source as possible" (JP 1-02). OCA is the preferred method of countering air and missile threats since it attempts to defeat the enemy closer to its source and typically enjoys the initiative. OCA comprises attack operations, sweep, escort, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defense. Defensive Counter-Air (DCA)

5120-788: Is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces , and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States . Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps , the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947 . It is the second youngest branch of

5248-486: Is the ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and persistently, with a wide range of munitions, any target and to create swift, decisive, and precise effects across multiple domains. Strategic attack is defined as "offensive action specifically selected to achieve national strategic objectives. These attacks seek to weaken the adversary's ability or will to engage in conflict, and may achieve strategic objectives without necessarily having to achieve operational objectives as

Operation Looking Glass - Misplaced Pages Continue

5376-583: Is the cornerstone of the credibility of the NDO mission. Positive nuclear command, control, communications; effective nuclear weapons security; and robust combat support are essential to the overall NDO function. Command and control is "the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by

5504-684: Is to achieve commander's intent and desired effects by gaining and keeping offensive initiative. The origins of the United States Air Force can be traced back to the Union Army Balloon Corps of the American Civil War . The Union Balloon Corps, established by aeronaut Thaddeus S. C. Lowe , provided aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army . This early use of balloons for military purposes marked

5632-429: Is to provide what the Air Force states as global vigilance, global reach, and global power. Air superiority is "that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force" (JP 1-02). Offensive Counter-Air (OCA)

5760-611: The 3rd Airborne Command & Control Squadron at Grissom AFB , Indiana , in April 1970. After 1975, East Aux was assumed from the Looking Glass backup ground alert aircraft launched from Offutt AFB. In June 1992, United States Strategic Command took over the Looking Glass mission from the Strategic Air Command, as SAC was disbanded and Strategic Command assumed the nuclear deterrence mission. On October 1, 1998,

5888-637: The Air Force Reserve Command ( AFRC ), plus units from the United States Army Reserve and also the US Marine Corps Reserve . The host unit is the 434th Air Refueling Wing (434 ARW), the "Hoosier Wing", which consists of three major groups and a variety of squadrons and flights. The wing develops and maintains the operational capability of its units and trains reservists for worldwide duty, with

6016-689: The Bomber Mafia ), followed by fighters ( Fighter Mafia ). In response to a 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted in June 2009 the resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley . Moseley's successor, General Norton A. Schwartz , a former airlift and special operations pilot,

6144-745: The Bureau of Yards and Docks (BuDocks) sent out a letter to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG), Rear Admiral Walter Browne Woodson, for the acquisition of land near Peru, Indiana , with the intention of constructing a Naval Reserve Aviation Base. The following day, the Shore Station Development Board sent a letter of recommendation to the US Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Frank Knox , estimating

6272-614: The Joint Chiefs of Staff . As directed by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force, certain Air Force components are assigned to unified combatant commands . Combatant commanders are delegated operational authority of the forces assigned to them, while the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force retain administrative authority over their members. Along with conducting independent air operations,

6400-574: The National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat . 502), which created the USAF: Section 9062 of Title 10 US Code defines the purpose of the USAF as: The five core missions of the Air Force have not changed dramatically since the Air Force became independent in 1947, but they have evolved and are now articulated as air superiority, global integrated ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. The purpose of all of these core missions

6528-789: The United States Navy fleet of E-6Bs replaced the EC-135C in performing the "Looking Glass" mission, previously carried out for 37 years by the U.S. Air Force . Unlike the original Looking Glass aircraft, the E-6Bs are modified Boeing 707 aircraft, not the military-only KC-135. The E-6B provides the National Command Authority with the same capability as the EC-135 fleet to control the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force, nuclear -capable bombers and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). With

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6656-482: The 34th Air Refueling Squadron based at its headquarters at Offutt AFB, backed up by aircraft flying with the Second Air Force / 913th Air Refueling Squadron at Barksdale AFB , Louisiana, Eighth Air Force / 99th Air Refueling Squadron at Westover AFB , Massachusetts, and Fifteenth Air Force / 22d Air Refueling Squadron , March AFB , California. EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were airborne 24 hours

6784-422: The Air Force's readiness to carry out the nuclear strike operations mission as well as from specific actions taken to assure allies as a part of extended deterrence. Dissuading others from acquiring or proliferating WMD and delivering them contributes to promoting security and is also an integral part of this mission. Moreover, different deterrence strategies are required to deter various adversaries, whether they are

6912-547: The BEAST, the other portions include defending and protecting their base of operations, forming a structure of leadership, directing search and recovery, and basic self aid buddy care. During this event, the Military Training Instructors (MTI) act as mentors and opposing forces in a deployment exercise. In November 2022, the USAF announced that it will discontinue BEAST and replace it with another deployment training program called PACER FORGE. In 2007,

7040-532: The Instruction buildings. These were used to instruct cadets in physics , radio, mathematics, theory of flight, navigation, aerology , and gunnery. The buildings were two-story H-shaped with the same dimensions as the B1 Type barrack. The first floor contained class rooms in the wings with a study room in the central portion, while the second floor had a plane and ship recognition room and an assembly room that

7168-509: The Moore Company. Most of the buildings were of a light, temporary type, designed to only be used for a limited time. The safety record during construction was: one serious fire at Subsistence Building 26, 4,043 first aid cases, with 465 of those needing services of a physician. On the night of 3 August 1942, building 26 caught fire while it was about 90% complete, damage was estimated at 53% of its value. Due to cost overruns, some of

7296-746: The Navy , and the newly created Department of the Air Force. Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was shared between the Army Air Forces and its predecessor organizations (for land-based operations), the Navy (for sea-based operations from aircraft carriers and amphibious aircraft), and the Marine Corps (for close air support of Marine Corps operations). The 1940s proved to be important for military aviation in other ways as well. In 1947, Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager broke

7424-461: The ROMO. The purpose of nuclear deterrence operations (NDO) is to operate, maintain, and secure nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability to deter an adversary from taking action against vital US interests. In the event deterrence fails, the US should be able to appropriately respond with nuclear options. The sub-elements of this function are: Assure/Dissuade/Deter is a mission set derived from

7552-543: The US determines national or multinational security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to accomplish these objectives. These national objectives in turn provide the direction for developing overall military objectives, which are used to develop the objectives and strategy for each theater. At the operational level command and control, campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, sustained, and assessed to accomplish strategic goals within theaters or areas of operations. These activities imply

7680-514: The USAF dwarfs all other U.S. and allied air components, it often provides support for allied forces in conflicts to which the United States is otherwise not involved, such as the 2013 French campaign in Mali . The USAF has also taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following: The culture of the United States Air Force is primarily driven by pilots, at first those piloting bombers (driven originally by

7808-464: The USAF established the nuclear-focused Air Force Global Strike Command on 24 October 2008, which later assumed control of all USAF bomber aircraft. On 26 June 2009, the USAF released a force structure plan that cut fighter aircraft and shifted resources to better support nuclear, irregular and information warfare. On 23 July 2009, The USAF released their Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Flight Plan, detailing Air Force UAS plans through 2047. One third of

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7936-509: The USAF undertook a Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF planned to reduce the service's size from 360,000 active duty personnel to 316,000. The size of the active duty force in 2007 was roughly 64% of that of what the USAF was at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. However, the reduction was ended at approximately 330,000 personnel in 2008 in order to meet the demand signal of combatant commanders and associated mission requirements. These same constraints have seen

8064-577: The United States Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. As of 2020 , the service operates approximately 5,500 military aircraft and approximately 400 ICBMs . The world's largest air force, it has a $ 179.7 billion budget and is the second largest service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with 321,848 active duty airmen , 147,879 civilian personnel, 68,927 reserve airmen, 105,104 Air National Guard airmen, and approximately 65,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliarists . According to

8192-462: The United States Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence . The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy , global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance , rapid global mobility , global strike , and command and control . The United States Air Force is a military service branch organized within the Department of the Air Force , one of

8320-528: The WWABNCP ("wah-bin-cop") network and were capable of assuming responsibility for Looking Glass as the anchor. The West Aux 906th Air Refueling Squadron was based at Minot AFB , North Dakota , and moved to the 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron at Ellsworth AFB , South Dakota , in April 1970 and the East Aux mission 301st Air Refueling Squadron was based at Lockbourne AFB , Ohio , and moved to

8448-526: The ability to fulfill their primary mission. Rapid Global Mobility is essential to virtually every military operation, allowing forces to reach foreign or domestic destinations quickly, thus seizing the initiative through speed and surprise. Airlift is "operations to transport and deliver forces and materiel through the air in support of strategic, operational, or tactical objectives" (Annex 3–17, Air Mobility Operations). The rapid and flexible options afforded by airlift allow military forces and national leaders

8576-407: The ability to integrate, evaluate, and interpret information from available sources to create a finished intelligence product for presentation or dissemination to enable increased situational awareness. Dissemination and integration is "the delivery of intelligence to users in a suitable form and the application of the intelligence to appropriate missions, tasks, and functions" (JP 2-01). It provides

8704-425: The ability to present information and intelligence products across the ROMO enabling understanding of the operational environment to military and national decision-makers. Rapid global mobility is the timely deployment, employment, sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment of military forces and capabilities across the ROMO. It provides joint military forces the capability to move from place to place while retaining

8832-455: The ability to respond and operate in a variety of situations and time frames. The global reach capability of airlift provides the ability to apply US power worldwide by delivering forces to crisis locations. It serves as a US presence that demonstrates resolve and compassion in humanitarian crisis. Air refueling is "the refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft" (JP 1-02). Air refueling extends presence, increases range, and serves as

8960-565: The assumption of this mission, a USSTRATCOM battle staff now flies with the TACAMO crew. If the USSTRATCOM Global Operations Center (GOC) is unable to function in its role, the E-6B Looking Glass can assume command of all U.S. nuclear -capable forces. Flying aboard each ABNCP is a crew of 22, which includes an air crew, a Communications Systems Officer and team, an Airborne Emergency Action Officer (an Admiral or General officer),

9088-487: The base was renamed Grissom Air Force Base in 1968 in memory of astronaut and Indiana native Lieutenant Colonel Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom , USAF, who, along with fellow astronauts Lieutenant Colonel Ed White , USAF, and Lieutenant Commander Roger Chaffee , USN, perished in the Apollo 1 fire at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 34 on 27 January 1967. It is home to the largest KC-135R Stratotanker wing in

9216-450: The base were issued 20 April 1942. The base was commissioned on 1 July 1942, with a contingent of Naval personnel moving in on 15 July 1942. Actual construction wasn't finished until 12 April 1943, with 99.5% field work completed. The final cost was $ 13,064,424.43. The design called for a Naval Air Station, occupying 2,158 acres (873 ha), with the facilities and equipment to house and train 1,200 naval aviation cadets. This would include

9344-430: The beginning of modern aerial warfare and set the stage for the development of the United States Air Force. The U.S. War Department created the first antecedent of the U.S. Air Force, as a part of the U.S. Army, on 1 August 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual independence 40 years later. In World War II , almost 68,000 U.S. airmen died helping to win

9472-404: The cadets for flight preparation. Each building contained a squadron Commander's room, flight control room, parachute and flying gear issue rooms, cadet ready room and a locker room. The buildings were rectangular, 97 ft × 43 ft (30 m × 13 m), one-story structures with 4,500 sq ft (420 m ) of floor space. Building 3 was the gatehouse; this also included

9600-739: The code name Looking Glass, and operated by the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offutt AFB. The mission transferred to the 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in August 1966, to the 2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron in April 1970, to the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron in July 1994, and to the USSTRATCOM 's Strategic Communications Wing One in October 1998. The Strategic Air Command put Looking Glass mission on continuous airborne alert starting February 3, 1961, aircraft from

9728-537: The construction of a Naval Reserve Aviation Base at Peru, Indiana, with Captain R.D. Spalding, USN, the Officer-in-Charge, was sent out. The contract included Projects 1 to 47, with a fee of $ 4,965,500. Changes "A" through "M", were added over the next several months, adding Projects 48 to 77, and 501, and on 19 November 1942, Purchase Order 4057 authorized Projects 78 to 87, with manual instruction authorizing Project 88. Four contractors were considered for

9856-414: The control tower of this building, which had windows overlooking the runway and landing mat areas. Signalling, radio sending and receiving equipment, and switches controlling the electric lighting of the runways were operated from this room. Communications, radio and weather reporting offices were located on the second floor, with offices of the operating personnel, aerology department and record department on

9984-674: The cost of the project, including land acquisition, at $ 7,000,000. On 21 March 1942, the Chief of Naval Operations , Fleet Admiral Ernest King , concurred with BuDocks and also sent a letter to SECNAV. Secretary Knox sent a letter the same day to JAG Woodson approving the base. On 27 March 1942, Russell B. Moore Company , Indianapolis , Indiana, signed contract NOy-5485, for the architectural and engineering services for Naval Reserve Aviation Base at Peru, Indiana. Two other firms had been considered; Walter W. Ahlschlager & Associates , Chicago , Illinois, and Phelps & Peck , Michigan City, Indiana . On 3 April 1942, contract NOy-5475, for

10112-479: The enemy holds dear in a devastating manner. If a crisis occurs, rapid generation and, if necessary, deployment of nuclear strike capabilities will demonstrate US resolve and may prompt an adversary to alter the course of action deemed threatening to our national interest. Should deterrence fail, the President may authorize a precise, tailored response to terminate the conflict at the lowest possible level and lead to

10240-573: The event that the ground launch control centers were rendered inoperable. The Looking Glass was also designed to help ensure continuity and reconstitution of the US government in the event of a nuclear attack on North America . Although the two types of aircraft are distinct, the Doomsday Plane nickname is also frequently associated with the Boeing E-4 "Nightwatch" Advanced Airborne Command Post mission and aircraft. The Looking Glass

10368-483: The fire and movement of friendly forces is not required" (Annex 3-03, Counterland Operations). Close Air Support is defined as "air action by fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces" (JP 1-02). This can be as a pre-planned event or on demand from an alert posture (ground or airborne). It can be conducted across

10496-862: The first floor. The building was L-shaped, 133 ft × 123 ft (41 m × 37 m), containing the reinforced concrete control tower, that was 33 ft × 33 ft (10 m × 10 m) by 48 ft (15 m) high. Two small partial basements enclosed pump and heater rooms. There was also a motor driven electric beacon and meteorological instruments. Buildings 7E and 7F were temporary hangars . They were rectangular 240 ft × 160 ft (73 m × 49 m) by 43 ft (13 m) high; of wood construction; roof supported by wood trusses, with 120 ft (37 m) span, on wood columns; wood doors, 30 ft (9.1 m) high, that rolled on steel tracks providing clear openings of 30 ft × 240 ft (9.1 m × 73.2 m) when opened. One end of each hangar had

10624-603: The globe to conduct current and future operations. Planning and directing is "the determination of intelligence requirements, development of appropriate intelligence architecture, preparation of a collection plan, and issuance of orders and requests to information collection agencies" (JP 2-01, Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations). These activities enable the synchronization and integration of collection, processing, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination activities/resources to meet information requirements of national and military decision-makers. Collection

10752-644: The housing and other necessary facilities needed for a total of 3,200 officers and men. Station facilities would include four runways of 5,000 ft (1,500 m) long and 200 ft (61 m) wide; a square landing mat with sides 2,500 ft (760 m) long (6,250,000 sq ft (581,000 m ; 143 acres)); taxiways, warm-up aprons, and approaches; 77 buildings with 853,917 sq ft (79,331.5 m ) of floor space, water supply, heating; and sewage disposal plants; 8.5 mi (13.7 km) of paved streets and 5 mi (8.0 km) of sidewalks. The training facilities included 25 auxiliary fields, within

10880-442: The intention of taking the initiative" (JP 1-02). It includes detection and warning; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; camouflage, concealment, and deception; hardening; reconstitution; dispersion; redundancy; and mobility, counter-measures, and stealth. Airspace control is "a process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace" (JP 1-02). It promotes

11008-409: The laminated arches and to the ceiling, at the deep end of the pool. These platforms were approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) high with pipe fences surrounding them, they simulated the height of an aircraft carrier and were used for practicing lifeboat drills and abandon ship maneuvers. There were three diving boards at the north end of the pool, with the center diving board 3 m (9.8 ft) above

11136-502: The length of three runways, with the northwest to southeast runway being spaced at 200 ft (61 m) intervals. The ends of the runways were separately marked with two, three, four, and five lights. There was a temporary 2,000 sq ft (190 m ) landing field built for official visits during construction of the base. The Warming-up Platform consisted of 8 in (200 mm) thick unreinforced concrete lanes 20 ft × 120 ft (6.1 m × 36.6 m), with

11264-762: The mid-2030s. On 22 October 2023, the USAF conducted its first-ever trilateral exercise with the South Korean and Japanese air forces near the Korean Peninsula. On 29 November 2023, a USAF Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey crashed in the Japan island of Yakushima killing 1 airman. In 2024, citing the Supreme Court 's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo , the Air Force refused to comply with an EPA order that they develop

11392-484: The northwest; and Wabash 20 mi to the northeast. Indianapolis , Indiana's capitol, is 64 mi (103 km) south; Fort Wayne 64 mi northeast, South Bend 70 mi (110 km) north, and Chicago 125 mi (201 km) northwest. The Site Selection Board selected this site because it was centrally located with ready accessibility from several large cities. The land is level for miles around, which afforded many possibilities for auxiliary fields. It

11520-411: The oil being pumped to a 275,000 gal. pre-stressed reinforced concrete storage tank, building 16, 72 ft (22 m) diameter and 10 ft (3.0 m) high tank buried 4 ft (1.2 m) below grade and covered with earth. A small gauge and apparatus room adjoined the tank. Oil flowed by gravity from the tank to the heating plant in steam heated pipes to prevent coagulation. With the exception of

11648-415: The planes that the USAF planned to buy in the future were to be unmanned. According to Air Force Chief Scientist, Greg Zacharias , the USAF anticipates having hypersonic weapons by the 2020s, hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicles (also known as remotely-piloted vehicles, or RPAs) by the 2030s and recoverable hypersonic RPAs aircraft by the 2040s. The USAF intends to deploy a Sixth-generation jet fighter by

11776-546: The potential consequences of an accident or unauthorized act, nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon systems require special consideration and protection against risks and threats inherent in their peacetime and wartime environments. In conjunction with other entities within the Departments of Defense or Energy, the Air Force achieves a high standard of protection through a stringent nuclear surety program. This program applies to materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to

11904-417: The previously mentioned builds, a combined saw mill and carpenter shop was constructed, and equipped with wood working machinery. A temporary building was built and equipped as a restaurant, in which lunches were served to all persons on site at a moderate cost. A combination garage and repair shop was constructed and equipped to keep equipment in operating condition. A first aid building, staffed by two nurses

12032-483: The production of intelligence" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to transform, extract, and make available collected information suitable for further analysis or action across the ROMO. Analysis and production is "the conversion of processed information into intelligence through the integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of all source data and the preparation of intelligence products in support of known or anticipated user requirements" (JP 2-01). It provides

12160-435: The project; James T. Barnes Construction Company , Logansport, Indiana ; Sollitt Construction Company, Inc. , South Bend ; William P Jungclaus Company , Indianapolis; and a joint venture between J.L. Simmons Company, Inc. , Indianapolis, and United Construction Company , Winona, Minnesota . The bid was given to J.L. Simmons Company, Inc. and United Construction Company, and signed on 16 April 1942. Preliminary plans for

12288-557: The projects were moved to contracts NOy 5938 and NOy 5958. Initially the four runways were to be 3,600 ft (1,100 m) long and constructed of macadam with asphalt topping, along with the landing mat. On 30 October 1942, Change "G", ordered the runways lengthened to 5000 ft, and to now be constructed of concrete. Each runway was 8 in (203 mm) thick and not reinforced . The runways ran northeast to southwest, northwest to southeast, east to west, and north to south. Lights were located every 400 ft (120 m) along

12416-491: The safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace, mitigates the risk of fratricide, enhances both offensive and defensive operations, and permits greater agility of air operations as a whole. It both deconflicts and facilitates the integration of joint air operations. Global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the synchronization and integration of the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, dissemination systems across

12544-602: The safety, security, and control of nuclear weapons, thus assuring no nuclear accidents, incidents, loss, or unauthorized or accidental use (a Broken Arrow incident ). The Air Force continues to pursue safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons consistent with operational requirements. Adversaries, allies, and the American people must be highly confident of the Air Force's ability to secure nuclear weapons from accidents, theft, loss, and accidental or unauthorized use. This day-to-day commitment to precise and reliable nuclear operations

12672-648: The second floor balcony. Building 9 was the Parachute building with a tower. A one-story rectangular building, 61 ft × 81 ft (19 m × 25 m), for parachute storage, repairing, packing and issue, with a parachute cleaning shower and drying tower, 20 ft × 30 ft (6.1 m × 9.1 m) by 38 ft (12 m) high. A partial basement, 20 ft × 21 ft (6.1 m × 6.4 m), contained pump and fan rooms. The building had an electric powered air conditioning unit and electric driven sewing machines. Building 11

12800-404: The security fence. The gatehouse was a one-story, 24.5 ft × 8.5 ft (7.5 m × 2.6 m) building located on an island in the center of the entrance roadway. There was a boiler in the basement of the gatehouse that provided steam for heat. The security fence was a 6 ft (1.8 m) chain link fence surmounted with barbed wire , with seven locking gates that extended at

12928-476: The site started 1 April 1942. J.L. Simmons Company, Inc. and United Construction Company received their Letter of Intent 4 April 1942, and immediately began moving equipment in to clear the site, including removal of buildings, trees, and grading as soon as elevations for the finished grade had been determined. Temporary structures were built, including a cement warehouse, a large general warehouse, 200 ft × 75 ft (61 m × 23 m), time office,

13056-558: The sound barrier in his X-1 rocket-powered aircraft, beginning a new era of aeronautics in America. The predecessor organizations in the Army of today's Air Force are: During the early 2000s, two USAF aircraft procurement projects took longer than expected, the KC-X and F-35 programs. As a result, the USAF was setting new records for average aircraft age. Since 2005, the USAF has placed

13184-548: The steam boilers seemed to be the only draw back. Upon receiving the Letter of Intent on 28 March 1942, Russell B. Moore Company established a temporary headquarters and moved personnel and necessary drafting, surveying and office equipment and supplies to an old schoolhouse at Bunker Hill , which they occupied until completion of the Construction Engineering Office on the site 13 May 1942. Surveying

13312-505: The tanks had 50,000 US gal (190,000 L; 42,000 imp gal) capacity and were used for 73 octane gasoline. The other was a 25,000 US gal (95,000 L; 21,000 imp gal) tank used for 100 octane gasoline. The fuel was pumped to distribution points through two separate piping systems, one for 73 octane and one for 100 octane, by two submerged type multiple stage centrifugal, 200 U.S. gal/min (0.013 m /s), pumps at each tank; each pump powered with

13440-404: The tertiary NAOC (Nightwatch) aircraft which was launched from ground alert at Andrews Air Force Base . [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government United States Air Force The United States Air Force ( USAF )

13568-501: The three military departments of the Department of Defense . The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force , who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation . The highest-ranking military officer in the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force , who exercises supervision over Air Force units and serves as one of

13696-491: The treatment plant, building 21. Building 21 was a partial two-story reinforced concrete building adjoining an underground 450,000 US gal (1,700,000 L; 370,000 imp gal) concrete emergency reservoir for treated water. The building contained electric motor driven pumps, tanks, chlorinators, dry chemical feeders, and filters for purifying and softening the water. Six mi (9.7 km) of cast iron pipe, 2 to 10 in (51 to 254 mm) diameter, distributed

13824-599: The voltage for use in buildings, 18 transformer banks were utilized, with 67 oil insulated, air cooled transformers in transformer vaults and transformer houses, with a total capacity of 3,119 KVA volts. Standby emergency electricity was supplied by two 175 kW (235 hp) generators connected to two 12 cylinder gasoline engines. Building 40 was the Fire Station. This was a one-story, rectangular building, 92 ft × 40 ft (28 m × 12 m). It had an apparatus room , office, toilets, dormitory, and

13952-467: The war, with only the infantry suffering more casualties. In practice, the U.S. Army Air Forces ( USAAF ) was virtually independent of the Army during World War II, and in virtually every way functioned as an independent service branch, but airmen still pressed for formal independence. The National Security Act of 1947 was signed on 26 July 1947, which established the Department of the Air Force , but it

14080-429: The water under 45 psi (310 kPa) pressure to 46 fire hydrants and 2,405 water fixtures on the station. Structures 19A–D were for gasoline storage and distribution. Delivered by tank car at four unloading points on a special railroad siding, and by gasoline trucks at four additional points, the gasoline was stored in four underground pre-stressed reinforced concrete tanks that were lined with Thiokol . Three of

14208-453: The water, and the outer two 1 m (3 ft 3 in) above the water. There were also three ladders on the east and west sides of the pool for ingress and egress. The first floor also contained lockers, toilets, and towel issue stations. Building 36 was the Armory . This was a 100 ft × 27.5 ft (30.5 m × 8.4 m), one-story building with racks in two rooms with

14336-610: The wing operationally-gained by the Air Mobility Command ( AMC ). Training consists of flight operations, deployments, and weekday and weekend training. Other organizations located at Grissom ARB include the U.S. Army Reserve 's Company A, 1st Battalion, 330th Regiment ; 316th Psychological Operations Company (Tactical) ; Detachment 1, 855th Quartermaster Company; the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve 's Marine Corps Reserve Center Grissom and Detachment 1, Communications Company, 4th Marine Logistics Group. On 18 March 1942,

14464-498: Was 38 ft × 97 ft (12 m × 30 m) and stood 21 ft (6.4 m) tall. A mezzanine balcony contained a toilet, shower, and wash room. The building was equipped with four oil fired steam generating boilers , each able to 13,500 lb (6,100 kg) of steam per hour at 100 psi (690 kPa) pressure, and the additional equipment needed, oil burners, pumps, and water heaters. The building also contained three secondary concrete fuel oil storage tanks with

14592-675: Was 72 ft × 28 ft (21.9 m × 8.5 m). Building 39 was the Link Trainer building. It was a one-story rectangular frame building, 141 ft × 46 ft (43 m × 14 m), which contained two trainer rooms, with a capacity of 16 trainers, along with offices and toilets. This building was air conditioned. Building 22, the Dispensary , with 109 beds, contained two wards, operating suite, sick officers' quarters, pharmacy, diet kitchen, x-ray rooms, physiotherapy , solarium , showers, and toilets. It

14720-569: Was a 35,741 sq ft (3,320.4 m ) drill field between the barracks, with a 212 ft × 456 ft (65 m × 139 m), 10,741 sq ft (997.9 m ), portion stabilized with water-bound macadam for use in all types of weather. Buildings 26 and 26A, were S2 Type Subsistence buildings. They were single story, irregular shaped frame buildings 210 ft × 224 ft (64 m × 68 m); two partial basements for transformers, each 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m)×8 ft 9 in (2.67 m). They had

14848-445: Was a partial two-story, T-shaped frame building, 314 ft × 200 ft (96 m × 61 m). Three partial basements, 83 ft × 18 ft (25.3 m × 5.5 m), 11 ft × 18 ft (3.4 m × 5.5 m), and 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)×10 ft (3.0 m), contained heater, compressor, pump room, transformer and lockers. The auditorium roof used wood arch trusses which allowed

14976-548: Was an 81 ft × 33 ft (25 m × 10 m) one-story rectangular building. The building was divided into three rooms for engine oil, oil storage, and dope storage. Building 13 housed the engine test stand. This was a one-story concrete block wall and partition building, with reinforced concrete floor and flat roof slab, 137 ft 4 in (41.86 m)×14 ft 4 in (4.37 m). It contained six engine test stands; three engine test cells; engine and embalming room; toilets and boiler room. Building 38

15104-419: Was an irregularly shaped, 346 ft × 312 ft (105 m × 95 m), height 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m), with a partial basement 40 ft × 145 ft (12 m × 44 m), that contained the morgue and storage rooms. The x-ray rooms had sheet lead lined walls. The floor area was 48,920 sq ft (4,545 m ). Building 23, Auditorium and Recreation building,

15232-421: Was built. Night lighting, so paving operations could continue at night, was provided by electric floodlights. One large diesel powered permanent type generator with overhead distribution wiring, and several portable gasoline powered generators produced the electricity. Many of the buildings utilized standard BuDocks plans and specifications for standard air station buildings. Specialized buildings were designed by

15360-500: Was not until 18 September 1947, when the first secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington , was sworn into office that the Air Force was officially formed as an independent service branch. The act created the National Military Establishment (renamed Department of Defense in 1949), which was composed of three subordinate Military Departments, namely the Department of the Army , the Department of

15488-536: Was out of the flight routes of commercial airlines. The soil type was satisfactory with gravel being locally available for concrete. It could be serviced by the Pennsylvania Railroad , with a station only 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away and construction of a switch track easily possible; also paved highways and bus lines nearby. Electrical power available from Peru. Satisfactory climate conditions, as indicated by Weather Bureau Reports. Water treatment for

15616-429: Was that he had repeatedly clashed with Wynne and Moseley over other important non-nuclear related issues to the service. This followed an investigation into two incidents involving mishandling of nuclear weapons : specifically a nuclear weapons incident aboard a B-52 flight between Minot AFB and Barksdale AFB , and an accidental shipment of nuclear weapons components to Taiwan. To put more emphasis on nuclear assets,

15744-573: Was the Bachelor Officers' Quarters with Messing Facilities. An irregular shaped, two-story frame building, 168 ft × 148 ft (51 m × 45 m), with a partial, 34 ft × 74 ft (10 m × 23 m) basement. The first floor contained a lounge, mess hall, galley, office, vestibule, officers' quarters and toilets; second floor, officers' quarters, lounge, toilets and showers, and dormitory for help. The galley contained electrical cooking equipment. There

15872-557: Was the General and Aircraft Storage. It was a one-story, 301 ft × 81 ft (92 m × 25 m), rectangular building. There was a 16 ft × 180 ft (4.9 m × 54.9 m) monitor skylight running down the center of the building and one large and two small offices with toilets at one end. Building 14 was the storehouse, a rectangular, one-story, 161 ft × 77 ft (49 m × 23 m) building, with offices at one end. Building 17

16000-490: Was the Paint and Dope Spray Booth. This was a two-story building with a one-story section, 63 ft 3 in (19.28 m)×33 ft 4 in (10.16 m). The building contained Bink's Paint Spraying and Air Washing Equipment , including blowers, air washing and purifying devices, and exhaust fans, installed to minimize danger of explosions and inhalation of fumes. Building 8 was the Paint, Oil and Dope Storage Building. It

16128-508: Was the anchor in what was known as the World Wide Airborne Command Post (WWABNCP) network. This network of specially equipped EC-135 aircraft would launch from ground alert status and establish air-to-air wireless network connections in the event of a U.S. national emergency. Members of the WWABNCP network included: The Eastern Auxiliary (EAST Aux) and Western Auxiliary (West Aux) Command Posts were also part of

16256-530: Was the first officer appointed to that position who did not have a background as a fighter or bomber pilot. The Washington Post reported in 2010 that General Schwartz began to dismantle the rigid class system of the USAF, particularly in the officer corps. In 2014, following morale and testing/cheating scandals in the Air Force's missile launch officer community, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James admitted that there remained

16384-524: Was the garage. It was a one-story, rectangular, 160 ft × 60 ft (49 m × 18 m) building with a partial basement, 12 ft × 22 ft (3.7 m × 6.7 m), for the heater and pump room. The first floor contained a parts room, locker room, offices, stock room, toilets, and a balcony at one end that contained offices. Building 15 was the Heating Plant. This one-story, rectangular, reinforced concrete building,

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