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Looking Glass (or Operation Looking Glass) is the historic code name for an airborne command and control center operated by the United States. In more recent years it has been more officially referred to as the ABNCP (Airborne National Command Post).^[1] It provides command and control of U.S. nuclear forces in the event that ground-based command centers have been destroyed or otherwise rendered inoperable. In such an event, the general officer aboard the Looking Glass serves as the Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO)^[2] and by law assumes the authority of the National Command Authority and could command execution of nuclear attacks. The AEAO is supported by a battle staff of approximately 20 people, with another dozen responsible for the operation of the aircraft systems. The name Looking Glass, which is another name for a mirror, was chosen for the Airborne Command Post because the mission operates in parallel with the underground command post at Offutt Air Force Base.^[3]

History

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 the code name Looking Glass,^[4]^[5] 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.^[6]^[7]

The Strategic Air Command put Looking Glass mission on continuous airborne alert starting February 3, 1961,^[8] aircraft from 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.^[7]

EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years,^[9] until July 24, 1990,^[10] when "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day.^[11]

Looking Glass mirrors ground-based command, control, and communications (C3 or C³) located at the USSTRATCOM Global Operations Center (GOC) at Offutt AFB.^[6] 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 the event that the ground launch control centers were rendered inoperable.^[6]^[12]^[13]

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 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:

Operation Silk Purse for the Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (USCINCEUR), based at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom (callsign Seabell);
Operation "Scope Light" for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command (CINCLANT), based at Langley AFB, VA;
Operation "Blue Eagle" for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC), based at Hickam AFB, HI; and
Operation "Nightwatch" which supported the President of the United States and were based at Andrews AFB, Maryland. In the early 1970s the E-4A aircraft replaced the EC-135Js on this mission.^[7]

The Eastern Auxiliary (EAST Aux) and Western Auxiliary (West Aux) Command Posts were also part of 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 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.^[7]

Current status

On October 1, 1998, 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).^[6] With the assumption of this mission, a USSTRATCOM battle staff now flies with the TACAMO crew.^[14]^[6]

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), 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 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.^[6]

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 the tertiary NAOC (Nightwatch) aircraft which was launched from ground alert at Andrews Air Force Base.^[15]

References

^ Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016. the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). ..According to Konowicz, the ABNCP is dual purposed. While it primarily functions as a communications relay platform for submarines with its two trailing antenna wires, it also serves as an Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS). and EC-135, Looking Glass. Federation of American Scientists
^ Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016 Evans sits on alert as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer in command of the battle staff. He remembers first visiting Minot AFB was in the fall of 1986. “The mission hasn’t changed much and neither has its importance,” said Evans.
^ E-6B Airborne Command Post
^ Hopkins, Robert (2017). The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More than a anker (2nd ed.). United Kingdom: Midland Publishing Ltd. p. 201. ISBN 9781910809013.
^ "AF generals take turns". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. 27 July 1960. p. 3A.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hopkins, Robert S. (1997). Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: more than just a tanker. Aerofax. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-1-85780-069-2.
^ Strategic Air & Space Museum: EC-135: Looking Glass
^ "Flying with the A-Bomb on Board: Looking Glass". Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
^ Adams, Chris (2009). Deterrence: An Enduring Strategy. ISBN 9781440169786.
^ Lloyd, Alwyn T. (2006). "The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at 50". American Aviation Historical Society Journal. 51: 255.
^ LGM-30G Fact Sheet
^ ALCS Article, page 13
^ TACAMO – Take Charge And Move Out Archived 2007-06-29 at the Wayback Machine
^ Ambinder, Marc (9 April 2014). "Inside the Holy Grail of 9/11 documents". theweek.

External links

The History of the PACCS
USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet
KPTM Story on USSTRATCOM's Looking Glass on YouTube
Ghosts of the East Coast: Doomsday Ships Cold War museum

This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government

[1] Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016. the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). ..According to Konowicz, the ABNCP is dual purposed. While it primarily functions as a communications relay platform for submarines with its two trailing antenna wires, it also serves as an Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS). and EC-135, Looking Glass. Federation of American Scientists

[2] Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016 Evans sits on alert as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer in command of the battle staff. He remembers first visiting Minot AFB was in the fall of 1986. “The mission hasn’t changed much and neither has its importance,” said Evans.

[3] E-6B Airborne Command Post

[4] Hopkins, Robert (2017). The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More than a anker (2nd ed.). United Kingdom: Midland Publishing Ltd. p. 201. ISBN 9781910809013.

[tktrns-5] "AF generals take turns". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. 27 July 1960. p. 3A.

[Fact_Sheet-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet

[:0-7] Hopkins, Robert S. (1997). Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: more than just a tanker. Aerofax. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-1-85780-069-2.

[8] Strategic Air & Space Museum: EC-135: Looking Glass

[9] "Flying with the A-Bomb on Board: Looking Glass". Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2019-04-26.

[10] Adams, Chris (2009). Deterrence: An Enduring Strategy. ISBN 9781440169786.

[11] Lloyd, Alwyn T. (2006). "The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at 50". American Aviation Historical Society Journal. 51: 255.

[12] LGM-30G Fact Sheet

[13] ALCS Article, page 13

[14] TACAMO – Take Charge And Move Out Archived 2007-06-29 at the Wayback Machine

[15] Ambinder, Marc (9 April 2014). "Inside the Holy Grail of 9/11 documents". theweek.

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 {{short description|American command and control center}}
-{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
 [[File:Boeing EC-135C (717-166), USA - Air Force AN1155085.jpg|thumb|[[Boeing EC-135]]C Looking Glass]]
-'''Looking Glass''' (or '''Operation Looking Glass''') is the code name for an airborne [[command and control]] center operated by the United States. In more recent years it has been more officially referred to as the '''ABNCP''' (Airborne [[command post|Command Post]]).<ref>[http://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/954496/looking-glass-usstratcoms-airborne-command-post Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016.  ''the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). ..According to Konowicz, the ABNCP is dual purposed. While it primarily functions as a communications relay platform for submarines with its two trailing antenna wires, it also serves as an Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS).] and [https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/ec-135.htm EC-135, Looking Glass. Federation of American Scientists]</ref> It provides command and control of [[Nuclear weapons and the United States|U.S. nuclear forces]] in the event that ground-based command centers have been destroyed or otherwise rendered inoperable. In such an event, the [[general officer]] aboard the Looking Glass serves as the [[Airborne Emergency Action Officer]] (AEAO)<ref>[http://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/954496/looking-glass-usstratcoms-airborne-command-post Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016  ''Evans sits on alert as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer in command of the battle staff. He remembers first visiting Minot AFB was in the fall of 1986. “The mission hasn’t changed much and neither has its importance,” said Evans.'']</ref> and by law assumes the authority of the [[National Command Authority]] and could command execution of nuclear attacks. The AEAO is supported by a battle staff of approximately 20 people, with another dozen responsible for the operation of the aircraft systems. The name Looking Glass, which is another name for a mirror, was chosen for the Airborne Command Post because the mission operates in parallel with the underground command post at [[Offutt Air Force Base]].<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ E-6B Airborne Command Post]</ref>
+'''Looking Glass''' (or '''Operation Looking Glass''') is the historic code name for an airborne [[command and control]] center operated by the United States. In more recent years it has been more officially referred to as the '''ABNCP''' (Airborne National [[command post|Command Post]]).<ref>[http://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/954496/looking-glass-usstratcoms-airborne-command-post Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016.  ''the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). ..According to Konowicz, the ABNCP is dual purposed. While it primarily functions as a communications relay platform for submarines with its two trailing antenna wires, it also serves as an Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS).] and [https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/ec-135.htm EC-135, Looking Glass. Federation of American Scientists]</ref> It provides command and control of [[Nuclear weapons and the United States|U.S. nuclear forces]] in the event that ground-based command centers have been destroyed or otherwise rendered inoperable. In such an event, the [[general officer]] aboard the Looking Glass serves as the [[Airborne Emergency Action Officer]] (AEAO)<ref>[http://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/954496/looking-glass-usstratcoms-airborne-command-post Looking Glass: USSTRATCOM's Airborne Command Post By Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong, Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016  ''Evans sits on alert as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer in command of the battle staff. He remembers first visiting Minot AFB was in the fall of 1986. “The mission hasn’t changed much and neither has its importance,” said Evans.'']</ref> and by law assumes the authority of the [[National Command Authority (United States)|National Command Authority]] and could command execution of nuclear attacks. The AEAO is supported by a battle staff of approximately 20 people, with another dozen responsible for the operation of the aircraft systems. The name Looking Glass, which is another name for a mirror, was chosen for the Airborne Command Post because the mission operates in parallel with the underground command post at [[Offutt Air Force Base]].<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ E-6B Airborne Command Post]</ref>
 ==History==
-The code name "Looking Glass" came from the aircraft's ability to "mirror" the command and control functions of the underground command post at [[Strategic Air Command]] headquarters.
+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 [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]'s [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) [[headquarters]] at [[Offutt Air Force Base|Offutt AFB]], [[Nebraska]].
-[[File:Photographic copy of photograph, n.d. (original photograph in STRATCOM Historian files, Offutt AFB, Bellevue, Nebraska). Interior view of crew members at work in battle staff HAER NE-9-B-15.tif|thumb|Early Looking Glass battle staff picture]]
+[[File:Photographic copy of photograph, n.d. (original photograph in STRATCOM Historian files, Offutt AFB, Bellevue, Nebraska). Interior view of crew members at work in battle staff HAER NE-9-B-15.tif|thumb|Early Looking Glass battle staff<!--picture-->]]
-[[File:Gen. Richard A. Ellis, Strategic Air Command, commander in chief, Boeing EC-135, Exercise Global Shield '79.jpg|thumb|Gen. Richard A. Ellis, CINCSAC, in battle staff compartment]]
+[[File:Gen. Richard A. Ellis, Strategic Air Command, commander in chief, Boeing EC-135, Exercise Global Shield '79.jpg|thumb|Gen. [[Richard H. Ellis|Richard Ellis]], [[List of commanders-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command|CINCSAC]], in battle staff compartment, 1979]]
 [[File:Photographic copy of photograph, 1973 (original photograph in 55th Wing Historian files, Offutt AFB, Bellevue, Nebraska). Interior view showing Major General Jerry Johnson and crew at HAER NE-9-B-16.tif|thumb|Looking Glass battle staff]]
-Operation Looking Glass was initiated by the [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]'s [[Strategic Air Command]] in 1961 and operated by the [[34th Air Refueling Squadron]], [[Offutt AFB]], [[Nebraska]]. In August 1966 the mission transferred to the [[38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron]], the [[2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron]] in April 1970, to the [[7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]] in July 1994, and to the [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]]'s [[Strategic Communications Wing One]] in October 1998.<ref>[Hopkins III, Robert S. 1997. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited, p. 114-117, 196]</ref><ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref>
+The SAC Airborne Command Post or "Looking Glass" was initiated in 1960, with the conversion of 5 [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135A]] tankers in to Airborne Command Posts. On July 1, 1960 operational testing began under the code name Looking Glass,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hopkins |first=Robert |title=The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More than a anker |publisher=Midland Publishing Ltd. |year=2017 |isbn=9781910809013 |edition=2nd |location=United Kingdom |pages=201}}</ref><ref name=tktrns>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hhhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4eIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5859%2C4521889 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=AF generals take turns |date=27 July 1960 |page=3A}}</ref> and operated by the [[34th Air Refueling Squadron]] at Offutt AFB. The&nbsp;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 [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]]'s [[Strategic Communications Wing One]] in October 1998.<ref name="Fact Sheet">[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Hopkins |first=Robert S. |title=Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: more than just a tanker |date= |publisher=Aerofax |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-85780-069-2 |location= |pages=116–117}}</ref>
-The [[Strategic Air Command]] began the Looking Glass mission on February 3, 1961, using [[Boeing EC-135|EC-135]]C<ref>[http://www.sasmuseum.com/2008/11/21/ec-135-looking-glass/ Strategic Air & Space Museum: EC-135: Looking Glass]</ref> airplanes from the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) based at its [[headquarters]] at [[Offutt Air Force Base|Offutt AFB]], [[Nebraska]] backed up by aircraft flying with the [[Second Air Force]] / [[913th Air Refueling Squadron]] at [[Barksdale Air Force Base|Barksdale AFB]] Louisiana, [[Eighth Air Force]] / [[99th Air Refueling Squadron]] at [[Westover Air Force Base|Westover AFB]], Massachusetts, and [[Fifteenth Air Force]] / [[22d Air Refueling Squadron]], [[March Air Force Base|March AFB]], California.<ref>[Hopkins III, Robert S. 1997. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited, p. 115]</ref>
+The [[Strategic Air Command]] put Looking Glass mission on continuous airborne alert starting February 3, 1961,<ref>[http://www.sasmuseum.com/2008/11/21/ec-135-looking-glass/ Strategic Air & Space Museum: EC-135: Looking Glass]</ref> aircraft from 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 Air Force Base|Barksdale AFB]], Louisiana, [[Eighth Air Force]] / [[99th Air Refueling Squadron]] at [[Westover Air Force Base|Westover AFB]], Massachusetts, and [[Fifteenth Air Force]] / [[22d Air Refueling Squadron]], [[March Air Force Base|March AFB]], California.<ref name=":0" />
-EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nebraskastudies.org%2F0900%2Fstories%2F0901_0124.html |title=Flying with the A-Bomb on Board: Looking Glass |access-date=2019-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193238/http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nebraskastudies.org%2F0900%2Fstories%2F0901_0124.html |archive-date=2017-12-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> until July 24, 1990, when "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day.
+EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nebraskastudies.org%2F0900%2Fstories%2F0901_0124.html |title=Flying with the A-Bomb on Board: Looking Glass |access-date=2019-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193238/http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nebraskastudies.org%2F0900%2Fstories%2F0901_0124.html |archive-date=2017-12-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> until July 24, 1990,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Adams |first=Chris |title=Deterrence: An Enduring Strategy |year=2009 |isbn=9781440169786}}</ref> when "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lloyd |first=Alwyn T. |year=2006 |title=The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at 50 |journal=American Aviation Historical Society Journal |volume=51 |pages=255}}</ref>
-Looking Glass mirrors ground-based command, control, and communications (C3 or C³) located at the [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]] Global Operations Center (GOC) at [[Offutt Air Force Base]].<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref>  The [[Boeing EC-135|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 missile]]s (ICBMs) in the event that the ground launch control centers were rendered inoperable.<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref><ref>[http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104466/lgm-30g-minuteman-iii/ LGM-30G Fact Sheet]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170702014829/http://afmissileers.com/Mar17.pdf ALCS Article, page 13]</ref>
+Looking Glass mirrors ground-based command, control, and communications (C3 or C³) located at the [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]] Global Operations Center (GOC) at Offutt&nbsp;AFB.<ref name="Fact Sheet"/>  The [[Boeing EC-135|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 missile]]s (ICBMs) in the event that the ground launch control centers were rendered inoperable.<ref name="Fact Sheet"/><ref>[http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104466/lgm-30g-minuteman-iii/ LGM-30G Fact Sheet]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170702014829/http://afmissileers.com/Mar17.pdf ALCS Article, page 13]</ref>
-The Looking Glass was also designed to help ensure COG, [[Continuity of Government|continuity and reconstitution of the US government]] in the event of a [[nuclear warfare|nuclear attack]] on [[North America]]. Although the two types of aircraft are distinct, the ''Doomsday Plane'' nickname is also frequently associated with the E-4 "Nightwatch" Advanced Airborne Command Post mission and aircraft.
+The Looking Glass was also designed to help ensure [[Continuity of Government|continuity and reconstitution of the US government]] in the event of a [[nuclear warfare|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|Boeing E-4 "Nightwatch"]] Advanced Airborne Command Post mission and aircraft.
 The Looking Glass 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:
@@ Line 26: / Line 24: @@
 #Operation "Scope Light" for the Commander in Chief, [[U.S. Atlantic Command]] (CINCLANT), based at Langley AFB, VA;
 #Operation "Blue Eagle" for the Commander in Chief, [[U.S. Pacific Command]] (USCINCPAC), based at Hickam AFB, HI; and
-#Operation "Nightwatch" which supported the President of the United States and were based at Andrews AFB, Maryland. In the early 1970s the [[E-4B]] aircraft replaced the EC-135s on this mission.<ref>[Hopkins III, Robert S. 1997. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited, p. 116]</ref>
+#Operation "Nightwatch" which supported the President of the United States and were based at Andrews AFB, Maryland. In the early 1970s the E-4A aircraft replaced the EC-135Js on this mission.<ref name=":0" />
-The Eastern Auxiliary (EAST Aux) and Western Auxiliary (West Aux) Command Posts were also part of 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 the [[3rd Airborne Command & Control Squadron]] at [[Bunker Hill AFB|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.<ref>[Hopkins III, Robert S. 1997. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited, p. 116-117]</ref>
+The Eastern Auxiliary (EAST Aux) and Western Auxiliary (West Aux) Command Posts were also part of 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 the [[3rd Airborne Command & Control Squadron]] at [[Bunker Hill AFB|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.<ref name=":0" />
 ==Current status==
-On October 1, 1998 the [[United States Navy]] fleet of [[E-6 Mercury|E-6Bs]] replaced the EC-135C in performing the "Looking Glass" mission, previously carried out for 37 years by the [[United States Air Force|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 weapon|nuclear]]-capable bombers and [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]]s (SLBM).<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref> With the assumption of this mission, a [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]] battle staff now flies with the [[TACAMO]] crew.<ref>[http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp TACAMO - Take Charge And Move Out<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629112942/http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp |date=2007-06-29 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref>
+On October 1, 1998, the [[United States Navy]] fleet of [[E-6 Mercury|E-6Bs]] replaced the EC-135C in performing the "Looking Glass" mission, previously carried out for 37 years by the [[United States Air Force|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 weapon|nuclear]]-capable bombers and [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]]s (SLBM).<ref name="Fact Sheet"/> With the assumption of this mission, a [[United States Strategic Command|USSTRATCOM]] battle staff now flies with the [[TACAMO]] crew.<ref>[http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp TACAMO – Take Charge And Move Out<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629112942/http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp |date=2007-06-29 }}</ref><ref name="Fact Sheet"/>
-If the [[United States Strategic Command|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 weapon|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), 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 a two and a half-mile-long trailing wire antenna (TWA) for use with the [[Survivable Low Frequency Communications System]] (SLFCS), as the EC-135C could.<ref>[http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]</ref>
+If the [[United States Strategic Command|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 weapon|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), 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 a two and a half-mile-long ({{convert|2.5|mi|km|disp=out|0}}) trailing wire antenna (TWA) for use with the [[Survivable Low Frequency Communications System]] (SLFCS), as the EC-135C could.<ref name="Fact Sheet"/>
-There was some speculation that the "mystery plane" seen flying over the [[White House]] on [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]], was some newer incarnation of Looking Glass. However, as indicated by retired Major General [[Donald Shepperd]], speaking on [[CNN]] on September 12, 2007, the plane circling the White House on 9/11 resembled an [[E-4B]] which was likely launched from Nightwatch ground alert at [[Andrews Air Force Base]].
+There was some speculation that the "mystery plane" seen flying over the [[White House]] on [[September 11 attacks|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 the tertiary NAOC (Nightwatch) aircraft which was launched from ground alert at [[Andrews Air Force Base]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ambinder |first1=Marc |title=Inside the Holy Grail of 9/11 documents |url=https://theweek.com/articles/448040/inside-holy-grail-911-documents |website=theweek |language=en |date=9 April 2014}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 50: / Line 48: @@
 *[[Single Integrated Operational Plan]]
 *[[Nuclear utilization target selection]]
-*[http://www.coldwar.org/museum/doomsday_ships.asp] Ghosts of the East Coast—Doomsday Ships
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-{{USGovernment|sourceURL=http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp}}
-{{USGovernment|sourceURL=http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/factsheets.html}}
-{{USGovernment|sourceURL=https://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/1/Airborne_Command_Post/}}
-==External links==
+== External links ==
+* [https://sac-acca.com/history The History of the PACCS]
 * [http://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Factsheets/Factsheet-View/Article/960928/e-6b-airborne-command-post-abncp/ USSTRATCOM ABNCP Fact Sheet]
 * {{YouTube|2b-UA7umnWE |KPTM Story on USSTRATCOM's Looking Glass}}
+* [http://www.coldwar.org/museum/doomsday_ships.asp Ghosts of the East Coast: Doomsday Ships] Cold War museum
+{{USGovernment|url=http://www.tacamo.navy.mil/wing/index.asp|agency=United States Navy}} {{USGovernment|url=https://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/1/Airborne_Command_Post/}}{{US Posts for Continuity of Operations}}
-{{US Posts for Continuity of Operations}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Looking Glass (Airplane)}}