One former Looking Glass aircraft remains in service as a WC-135C Constant Phoenix. On October 1, 1998, the Navy's E-6 Mercury TACAMO replaced the USAF's EC-135C in the Looking Glass mission. On June 1, 1992, SAC was inactivated and replaced by the United States Strategic Command, which now controls the Looking Glass. About a week after the flight, Washington deleted the funds for additional E-4 aircraft. EC-135s flew all the missions except one, on March 4, 1980, when an E-4B was tested on an operational mission, flying a double sortie as the replacement aircraft could not launch due to weather.
The aircraft were delivered to Offutt AFB and as well as one aircraft to each of the Stateside Numbered Air Force Headquarters – Second Air Force at Barksdale AFB, LA Eighth Air Force at Westover AFB, MA and Fifteenth Air Force at March AFB CA. The EC-135A flew the Command Post mission until EC-135C were delivered starting in 1963. On July 24, 1990, "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) began the Looking Glass mission on Februand Looking Glass aircraft were continuously airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years, accumulating more than 281,000 accident-free flying hours. It took the nickname "Looking Glass" because the mission mirrored ground-based command, control, and communications centers. strategic forces will act only in the manner dictated by the President. Looking Glass is intended to guarantee that U.S. An essential element of that ability is Looking Glass its crew and staff ensure there is always an aircraft ready to direct bombers and missiles from the air should ground-based command centers be destroyed or rendered inoperable. The United States nuclear strategy depends on its ability to command, control, and communicate with its nuclear forces under all conditions. Strategic Air Command Personnel on-board the EC-135 Looking Glass 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts (1963–1970).
Other units operating the Looking Glass mission included the following: Other Offutt-based units included the 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (1966–1970), the 2d Airborne Command and Control Squadron (1970–1994), and the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (1994–1998). Originally built as KC-135Bs, they were re-designated as EC-135Cs from 1 January 1965. Operations began in 1961 with the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, initially using EC-135As (converted from KC-135As) until the dedicated EC-135Cs entered service in 1964. Officially known as " Operation Looking Glass", at least 11 EC-135C command post aircraft were provided to the Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), and were based at various locations throughout the United States and worldwide. Ellis, CINCSAC, in battle staff compartment
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