4th ACCS

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History of 4th ACCS

The **4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (4th ACCS)** was a United States Air Force unit tasked with providing airborne command post capabilities during the Cold War. Activated in 1965, the squadron operated EC-135 aircraft as part of Strategic Air Command’s "Looking Glass" mission, ensuring survivable command and control for U.S. nuclear forces. The 4th ACCS was based primarily at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and played a crucial role in maintaining national command authority continuity. The unit was inactivated in 1992 following the end of the Cold War and changes in U.S. strategic requirements.

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ABOUT 4th ACCS

Origins in Vietnam: The 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (4th ACCS) traces its origins to the Vietnam War era, when airborne command posts became vital for command and control during nuclear and conventional operations.
Aircraft Used: The unit primarily operated the EC-135 aircraft, a specially modified version of the Boeing C-135, designed for airborne command, control, and communications missions.
“Looking Glass” Mission: The 4th ACCS was best known for flying the “Looking Glass” mission, maintaining a continuous airborne command post for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) to ensure survivable nuclear command and control during the Cold War.
Never Touching Down: For nearly 30 years, “Looking Glass” aircraft manned by the 4th ACCS were always airborne, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to assume control of U.S. nuclear forces if ground control was lost.
Birthplace: The squadron was activated at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 1962, but later operated primarily out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Highly Decorated: The 4th ACCS earned multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its contributions to national security and its constant readiness posture.
Role in the Cold War: The squadron played a crucial role in deterrence strategy during the Cold War, ensuring that U.S. leadership could respond to a nuclear attack under any circumstances.
Advanced Communications: The EC-135 aircraft flown by the 4th ACCS were equipped with sophisticated communication systems, allowing them to communicate with nuclear forces worldwide, including using Very Low Frequency (VLF) to reach submarines.
Deactivation and Legacy: The 4th ACCS was inactivated in 1994, following the end of the Cold War and the evolution of command and control technologies, but its legacy continues in modern airborne command systems.
Unique Nickname: Crews of the 4th ACCS affectionately referred to their mission as “the ultimate insurance policy,” providing assurance that U.S. nuclear forces could always be directed, no matter the situation on the ground.

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