ks@stat.tamu.edu (Kurt F. Sauer) (08/01/90)
From: ks@stat.tamu.edu (Kurt F. Sauer) In article <1990Jul31.023220.20416@cbnews.att.com> GA.CJJ@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU (Clifford Johnson) writes: >Also, I saw no report mentioning the more prolific perpetual >flights of TACAMO aircraft (Navy planes for relaying EAMs to the >subs., at any time) over the Atlantic and Pacific. I presume these >continue. I have always been amused at the name TACAMO, "Take Charge and Move Out," for this mission (mainly since its chief duty is merely to relay EAMs, though this can be more complicated than would seem). The demise of the ever-airborne LOOKING GLASS is interesting; it happened with very little publicity. I realize, of course, that one of these birds is now on constant ground alert--rather than airborne alert. But I do wonder what this change has done to the overall strategic U.S. command and control system. One could argue that the control system is unchanged, but it has been my ex- perience that a mere relocation of a commander usually does make a difference. Whether you want it to or not. Prognostications and thoughts, anyone? -ks