Operation Looking Glass (nonfiction)
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 is now more officially referred to as the ABNCP (airborne command post).
It is designed to provide command and control of U.S. nuclear forces in the event that ground-based command centers were destroyed or otherwise rendered inoperable. In such an event, the general officer aboard the Looking Glass serves as the Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO)[3] 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 Looking Glass was initiated by the 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 U.S. Navy in October 1998.
The Strategic Air Command began the Looking Glass mission on February 3, 1961, using EC-135C[4] airplanes from the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) based at its headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebraska 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 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.
Although not officially acknowledged, the code name alludes to Lewis Carroll's popular Through the Looking Glass children's novel in which the protagonist enters the Looking-glass world.
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Fiction cross-reference
Nonfiction cross-reference
External links:
- Operation Looking Glass @ Wikipedia