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. ,
CINCSAC, in battle staff compartment, 1979 In 1960, the SAC Airborne Command Post or "Looking Glass" was initiated, with the conversion of 5
KC-135A tankers to Airborne Command Posts. In July 1960, operational testing began under the code name Looking Glass, with a SAC
general officer always aboard each flight, and operated by the
34th Air Refueling Squadron at
Offutt AFB. In February 1961, the
Strategic Air Command put Looking Glass mission on continuous airborne alert. Aircraft from the 34th Air Refueling Squadron were 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, the
Eighth Air Force /
99th Air Refueling Squadron at
Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and the
Fifteenth Air Force /
22d Air Refueling Squadron,
March AFB, California. until July 24, 1990, when "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. The Looking Glass mission mirrors ground-based command, control, and communications (C3 or C³) located at the
USSTRATCOM Global Operations Center (GOC) at Offutt AFB. 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 the World Wide Airborne Command Post (WWABNCP) network. This network of specially equipped EC-135 aircraft launched from ground alert status, and established 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 • 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. 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. The East Aux mission
301st Air Refueling Squadron was based at
Lockbourne AFB,
Ohio. In April 1970, the role moved to the
3rd Airborne Command & Control Squadron at
Grissom AFB,
Indiana. 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. ==Current status==