Usstratcom airborne command post looking glassalcse6b. The e4b is the neacp and the e6b is the looking glass. From the airborne command post abncp conception aircraft based at its. On 25 january 1991, vq4 took delivery of its first e6a mercury aircraft and in november 1992, changed homeport to tinker afb, oklahoma city, oklahoma. After more than 30 years of use, the term paccs was replaced by sca csfor stratcom command and control system. In such an event, the general officer serving as the airborne emergency action officer aeao on looking glass assumes by. The glass was the only abncp required to maintain 24 hour around the clock airborne operation.
Codenamed looking glass, it is united states strategic command usstratcoms airborne command post abncp, 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. Guaranteed original paypal is preferred payable to my current email address. An essential element of that ability is the airborne command post, also called looking glass. Although equipped with alcs, the westauxcp did not. Constituted as the 7th airborne command and control squadron and activated on february 1968 not organized organized on 1 march 1968 consolidated with the 7th ferrying squadron, the 7th combat cargo squadron and the 7th air transport squadron on 19 september 1985 inactivated on 1. Artwork approval times are also included, but can delay arrival. The looking glass mission is boring but very important.
It operates the e8 joint stars aircraft, conducting airborne command and control missions. If it were reopened during the ensuing 8 hours 20 minutes the act would signal either. The boeing ec5c looking glass aircraft were airborne 24 hours a day for over 29. The e6b contains upgraded systems that enable it to perform the usstratcom airborne command post abncp looking glass mission. Stratcom acting deputy commander, at minot air force base, n. A personalized stand is included with any patch and any text. Ec5 looking glass restoration strategic air command. Looking glass or operation looking glass is the code name for an airborne command and control center operated by the united states. Task force 124 and strategic communications wing one change.
Its current assignment is with the 55th electronic combat group, based at davismonthan afb, arizona. Usstratcom airborne command post looking glassalcs. Strategic command airborn command post patch adorns the shouder of maj. I was first trained as an electronics tech radar repair, did missiles, flew aboard the sac abncp looking glass, and ended my career back in icbm ops.
On 20 september 1999, vq4 took delivery of its first e6b. A custom model stand is included with any patch and two lines of personalized text. The mission was to maintain airborne alert status and take over sac forces if something was to happen to the strategic air command sac command center. From feb 3, 1961 until july, 24 1990, one of these airplanes remained on continuous airborne alert over the united states. Navy e6b mercury visited minot air force base, north dakota, sept. Sep 23, 2016 the visit allowed members of team minot to tour the inside of the airborne command post abncp and learn about how it supports u.
The kc5 airborne command post sortie dubbed the looking glass was airborne safely and continuously from 3rd february 1961, to 24th july 1990. This 625th strategic operations squadron 50 years alcs pvc patch airborne launch control system alcs provides a survivable launch capability for the united states air forces lgm30g minuteman iii intercontinental ballistic missile icbm force. The 4th accs also maintained an ec5c or ec5g on ground alert at ellsworth as the west auxiliary airborne command post westauxcp, which was a backup to sacs looking glass airborne command post abncp, as well as a radio relay link between the looking glass and alccs when airborne. I spent four years at hickam as a communications team chief on board the cincpac airborne command post abncp and flew all over the pacific ocean. We will replicate your ec5 looking glass airplane with every antenna and sensor.
Evans visited minot to meet with and show thanks to the airmen supporting u. Looking glass was capable of assuming direction of the u. Provides the 55th electronic combat group with combat ready ech compass call trained aircrews. Looking glass sac abncp and paccs public group facebook. In july 1966, after serving more than three years at mcclellan afb, i was reassigned to hickam afb, hawaii as an ec5p airborne radio operator. Furthermore, the term looking glass was officially replaced by abncp pronounced abuncop, although looking glass continues to be used unofficially editors note. In addition to the tour, the aircraft and its mission, historically codenamed looking glass, came to minot afb for another missionrelated reason as well. Airborne launch control center operation looking glass. If it were reopened during the ensuing 8 hours 20 minutes the act would signal either an emergency exercise or the serious threat of a nuclear war. Headquartered at offutt air force base, nebraska, usstratcom is responsible for strategic deterrence, global strike, and operating the defense departments global information grid. In jan of 1960, president kennedy directed that one of sacs new airborne command posts to be airborne at all times, and, on 3rd february 1961, the kc5 looking glass airborne command post abncp began continuous airborne operations, with additional backup airplanes on 15minute ground alert. From that date, an air force ec5 looking glass aircraft was in the air at all times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for more than 29 years.
The 7th expeditionary airborne command and control squadron 7 eaccs is part of the 379th air expeditionary wing at al udeid air base, qatar. And most of those who served in this squadron probably think thats just. Nonetheless, the appearance of the abncp and its operations changed as well. Jul 18, 2008 these operations unlike the sac looking glass operations the battle staffs are joint services. Most orders placed this week will arrive the week of june 8th, 2020 transit time is already included. Im retired usaf, having served nearly 30 years as both an enlisted troop and an officer. It took the nickname looking glass because the mission mirrored groundbased command, control, and communications. The mysterious e6b orbits over uk on the night osama bin laden was killed. An ec5c looking glass or sac abncp maintained airborne alert status 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Are there any fellow milair monitors who listen in on the air to ground mux frequencies used by nightwatch, looking glass yes its still a mission flown by the e6b mercury and the vc25. Figure 21 illustrates the structure of interim patches.
I live in iowa, and there is someone up and burning at least 3 days out of a 7 days a week. The nowdeactivated strategic air command began the mission on february 3, 1961. Strategic air command sac started the looking glass mission on february 3, 1961, using boeing ec5c aircraft. I didnt mean to sound harsh good research and topic. E6b mercury doomsday plane with brand new dome the.
The looking glass started flying 24 hour operations on february 3 1961. In more recent years it has been more officially referred to as the abncp airborne command post. The 42d electronic combat squadron a united states air force unit. Besides being the program name, looking glass is the official name for the c model aircraft of the ec5. The patch was located in the emergency war order kit on the plane. Ec5 looking glass custom airplane models aviator gear. The strategic air command sac airborne command post was airborne 365247.
Looking glass was an air force ec5 aircraft that looked much like any cargo plane or tanker, but instead of trucks, bullets or jet fuel, it carried the most sophisticated command and control c2 and communications equipment in the world, and a crew of about 30. It can perform the socalled looking glass mission mirroring the groundbased c3 center at offutt afb and relaying. The mysterious e6b orbits over uk on the night osama bin. You are bidding on three usaf ec5 looking glass 50100150 missions patches. These operations unlike the sac looking glass operations the battle staffs are joint services. Evans visited minot to meet with and show thanks to the airmen. Looking glass the plane was looking glassthe sac airborne command post. United states strategic command usstratcom is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the united states department of defense. Ec5, looking glass a mark of americas strategic excellence is its preeminent ability to command, control, and communicate with its nuclear forces. Looking glass, or operation looking glass, is the code name used for the airborne command and control center, which in the beginning of looking glass was overseen by the air force. Looking glass or operation looking glass is the code name for an airborne command center operated by the united states.
Hearing a station ask for a phone patch to nightwatch 01 at dsn 9391851. This program was known as looking glass and operated 247 year round from 1961 until 1990 when the planes were placed on ground alert. The visit allowed members of team minot to tour the inside of the airborne command post abncp and learn about how it supports u. A group dedicated to reconnecting with former members who flew on the u.
Your 2 accs ec5 looking glass custom aircraft model will be a perfect replication with squadron markings and any tail number. Looking glass or operation looking glass is the code name for an airborne. Also accepting personal checks, cashiers checks, and money ord. Directs all ech aircrew initial academic and flying qualification, difference and requalification training for 20 different. Operation looking glass military wiki fandom military wikia.