Launch of Operation Looking Glass

February 3rd, 1961

February 3rd, 1961

Launch of Operation Looking Glass
How Long Ago?

64 years, 1 month, 12 days ago

Location

worldwide

Category

Military & Warfare

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Launch of Operation Looking Glass

Operation Looking Glass commenced to ensure U.S. nuclear command authority was maintained. Utilizing modified Boeing EC-135 aircraft, the program aimed to keep a 'Doomsday Plane' airborne continuously to control strategic bombers and missiles. This was initiated in response to Cold War tensions and the need for a robust command communication system in the event of a nuclear attack, thereby enhancing U.S. military readiness against potential threats.

Modified Boeing EC-135 aircraft utilized

Ensured nuclear command continuity during crises

Operation lasted nearly 30 years

Response to increasing Cold War tensions

What Happened?

Operation Looking Glass was a pivotal initiative launched by the United States Air Force to bolster the nation's nuclear command and control capabilities during the height of the Cold War. It involved the deployment of specially modified Boeing EC-135 aircraft, dubbed ‘Doomsday Planes,’ with the unique capability to take over and control U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in case of a catastrophic event, such as a nuclear strike that compromised ground-based command facilities. The operation began due to heightened fears of a surprise Soviet attack and the necessity of maintaining a relentless airborne presence to ensure ongoing communication with nuclear forces.Over the subsequent decades, these aircraft operated 24/7, ensuring a Paranoid Continuity of Command. Grounded in the urgency of the Cold War, the operation illustrated the lengths to which military planners would go to secure American strategic interests. Each flight was meticulously planned, routinely involving comprehensive training missions and ensuring that the platform could provide a seamless command interface for missile deployment and bomber escort operations. As technology advanced, the mission shifted from analog to digital systems, but the fundamental concepts of vigilance and readiness remained unchanged.Operation Looking Glass exemplified a critical blend of aviation technology and military strategy, laying the groundwork for future command and control systems. Until the program’s phase-out in the early 1990s, it represented the U.S. commitment to maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent and operational control in the face of potential global nuclear conflict, shaping military operations and policy throughout the Cold War period.

Why Does it Matter?

Operation Looking Glass is significant because it marked a transformation in military strategy during the Cold War. By prioritizing airborne command and control, the United States enhanced its deterrent capability against nuclear threats and ensured continuity in leadership during crises. The commitment to maintaining an aircraft always in the air symbolized the seriousness of the nuclear standoff between superpowers.

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