Whereas some media outlets are trying to find signs of an imminent air strike on Syria in some alleged (and unconfirmed) unusual movements in the UK base in Cyprus (Akrotiri) that probably have nothing to do with the current situation in the region, the sighting that more than any other could give a hint that something is about to happen would be that of one or two E-6B Mercury operating somewhere between the Syria and the U.S.
Even if it will be a quick cruise missiles, stealth bombers-only campaign, E-6s will probably play a role in a U.S. air war in Syria.
The 16 U.S. Navy E-6B TACAMO (“TAke Charge And Move Out”) are among the most important assets in the U.S. inventory. They are capable to communicate on virtually every radio frequency band, on commercial satellites and on the Internet, using also a secure VOIP system.
E-6s are used to relay instructions to the fleet ballistic missile submarines in case of nuclear war but also act as back ups of the four E-4Bs NAOC (National Alternate Operations Center), working as ABNCP (Airborne Command Post) platforms: in other words, in case of war, terrorist attack, armageddon etc (that’s why they are dubbed “doomsday planes”) they can direct nuclear (and conventional) forces, by receiving, verifying and relaying EAM (Emergency Action Messages).
Similar to the civilian Boeing 707 but with a 737 cockpit, E-6s have a range of 5,500 miles, and accommodate 23 crew members.
It can perform the so-called Looking Glass mission (mirroring the ground-based C3 center at Offutt AFB and relaying orders), it can talk to submarines trailing a 26,000 ft wire antenna, it can launch commands to ICBMs (InterContinental Ballistic Missiles) via Airborne Launch Control System, and can perform C3 (Command Control Communication) operations to forces operating in theatre.
When stealth bombers are launched on a round-trip, Global Strike mission across the globe, an E-6 or two (with the second acting as back up) is used to provide command and control support to the B-2s.
More from The Aviationist
Several E-6 are flying at any given time: some of them are involved in training activities, whereas others may be supporting actual operations, hence it would be extremely difficult to guess something big is about to happen in Syria, unless one or two start circiling over the UK or elsewhere, as a Mercury did while the Navy SEALs killed Bin Laden.
This would be the sign they are about to relay some important orders to the submarines, warships and bombers in the Mediterranean Sea or surrounding areas.
Noteworthy, in spite of their important role, E-6Bs are among the few military planes advertising their position on the Web using full ADS-B.
This means they can be tracked on Planefinder.net or Flightradar24.com flying around the world using the bogus callsign “GOTO FMS”.
Image credit: U.S. Navy
Related articles
