Nebraska Stories| Code Name Looking Glass

For nearly 3 decades beginning in 1961, at the height of the US and Soviet Cold War tensions, Strategic Air Command operated airborne command posts, code named "Looking Glass" for its ability to mirror the nuclear command underground at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. We look back at Operation Looking Glass and the historic aircraft credited with helping to prevent a nuclear war and winning the long Cold War with the Soviet Union. One of the last remaining EC-135 aircraft is being restored for permanent display at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland. We speak with volunteers and former crew members of "The Glass," as they call it, to hear about the pride and commitment they still have for this icon of the Cold War.

[@gordonshaffer5560]

I worked at SAC HQ from 1973 thru 1976 and the closest I ever was to an aircraft was preparing the computer tapes for Looking Glass. That was so long ago I hardly have any recollection of the actual work but it was a privilege being part of that mission. Thanks to all of you for restoring our beautiful lady for everyone to remember.

[@almondvlog6294]

My late husband he told me he was air crew this plane but I forget what year..his name is Gary D Almond TSGT

[@jbocaneg17611]

Thank you to all those that work on this great endeavor because History should be preserved for the generations to come.

[@woodwaker1]

I supported the ground communication to Looking Glass 1970-1973 in the underground at Offutt AFB (SAC HQ) via a KW-7 crypto unit, which was highly classified at the time. We knew they were always airborne and that's why Offutt had so many Generals, since a general officer had to be on-board each plane.

[@michaelday1073]

Flew on this aircraft many hours from 1985 to 1988 as an Airborne Radio Maintenance. Also worked on it while on the ground out of the PACCS shop.

[@saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560]

Thank you for your service to this country, for our freedom today,God bless amen.

[@OfftoShambala]

Do you still think we are free now? After the refusal to investigate voter fraud and those who stand up in protest are called criminals and terrorists?

[@elliotalderson6764]

Moving forward in order to look back

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

Or moving backward in order to look forward.

[@rick65781]

Did't get to fly on it but worked on this one. 1967/68

[@ThetennisDr]

Gos bless you soldier may the lord be in ur heart forever

[@michaelday1073]

I hope that when they put the multiplexer rack back in the equipment section, they put the patching cables exactly where they were. That rack was set up by Msgt Ann Billau and it was patched up for an "All Fly ( West Aux, ABNCP, East Aux, Relay 1&2, and ALCC1&2)". We could cover coast to coast.

[@michaelwthalman]

Can't wait to see it finished. I remember seeing it flying around Omaha backs in the 70s, 80s..

[@almondvlog6294]

Michael maybe do you know my late husband that time.. he was crew that birds.. my late husbands name is Gary Almond TSGT

[@danelder6846]

​@@almondvlog6294Was Gary a Force Status Controller in the Airborne Battle Staff?

[@TerryWilsonModels]

Flew on this jet....back in the late 80s as a boom operator. ...

[@MIKETHRASH69]

does this plane have anything to do with operation looking glass to see into future?

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

​@@MIKETHRASH69 'I don't think so, Tim. '

[@sanantoniotrust]

For God, Country, We the People and POTUS

[@DitchBankBandits]

I worked on that ec 135 in Tampa. Pretty badass

[@rishiramkissoon6976]

this was in Tampa?

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

I just remember it being at Offutt in Nebraska when I refueled it in the early 80s. I definitely know the tail number: "8049" when I'd see it sticking up above the jet blast fence by our pump houses. "0851" is sitting next to a B-52 at the main gate at Offutt.

[@federicamazzetto9241]

GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE 👍❤💙❤

[@carslayer]

Great stuff

[@tommuirhead7877]

Thank you and thank you for your service everything else has already been said here preserving history is an act of patriotism all by itself WWG1 WGA WW 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@davegriffith32]

There was a time I worked on the engines for EC and RC 135s.

[@cg9952]

Worked at Majors Field in Greenville, TX.

[@almondvlog6294]

My Late husband he was aircrew this code name looking glass.. his name Gary D Almond(TSGT)

[@danelder6846]

Did he fly in the Battle Staff as a Force Status Controller?

[@robertcotton-v2q]

I flew on 049 at Westover AFB as crypto/comm. operator in 1964-65. Those were great days in the ABNCP community.

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

I would love to know more about what this project was about? It’s ALL over the internet and KZbin! Must be exciting what the mission was.

[@benjikohu1159]

Looking into the future

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

​​@@benjikohu1159Umm....yeah.🫤

[@DWeirich76]

There was a time when I used to be a boom operator on the EC-135.

[@realdeathpony]

NKAWTG

[@glennlandry7714]

Thank you for your service. I was a tank rat on J-Stars.

[@TerryWilsonModels]

Meeee....toooo.....86 to 91

[@ThetennisDr]

God bless Americans

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

I refueled this bird as well as the other 'Glass birds during my time at Offutt 1980-1983. I was assigned to the POL section near old mod A, now the Offutt Field House.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Was Lt. Col. Richard Doolittle related to General Jimmy Doolittle?

[@awacsjstars3433]

I flew that aircraft many times (85-88).

[@mondecello]

Looking Glass???

[@freds4814]

Explained in video!

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

Going backwards to be able to look forward.

[@kentkearney6623]

Making a better birdnest?

[@kentkearney6623]

Is the new Birdnest responsible for 911 coverup?

[@pattywalpole3757]

Heck, you can raise the funds in no time with a go fundme account.

[@hannacarter1352]

Why? Waste of money when there are people and animals in pain. Just saying

[@myhemirr]

Not a waste of money! No government funds were used for the restoration of this vital piece of equipment that allowed to U.S. to win the cold war. Restoration was completed entirely by voluntary contributions.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

You are free to donate your money to whatever cause you choose as the people that flew on and supported this aircraft for over three decades played a major role in giving you that choice. That's why and just saying.

[@ricktrudelle2990]

Worked on 1514 a kc135e used for training also 0378 c135a and 3119 nkc135a best time of my life