Saab340 From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 320 posts, RR: 2 Posted (8 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1255 times:
This evening there was an all white 707 in the pattern at Des Moines. Could not catch the callsign but it was identified as an E-6. Any background on what this aircraft is doing and whom operates it?
Lt-AWACS From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (8 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1211 times:
The E-6B Mercury is a "TACAMO" aircraft. Standing for "TAke Charge And Move Out". The majority are based here at Tinker AFB in OKC. Some are at Pax River, and a few other spots. They fly long duration sorties and drag various VLF antennas out the back, usually several miles long, to communicate with submarines that can launch nuclear weapons. The B model (with the hump on the fuselage) took over the EC-135 Looking Glass role as well.
On the E-3 and E-6 we fly transition training at various bases and airports all over the USA. Mainly the Mid-West. DSM used to be one of those more commonly used civ airports though not as much in the last few months.
Ciao, and Hook 'em Horns,
Capt-AWACS, Texas-It's bigger than France
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