A routine site visit to Oklahoma’s Tinker Air Force Base turned into a unique multi-generational moment for Navy Capt. Adam Scott and his son Lt. j.g. Andrew Scott. The pair shared the cockpit of an E-6B Mercury simulator, executing the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission—a first and only opportunity for them to collaborate on this vital operation.

Legacy of dedication to the TACAMO mission

Capt. Adam Scott dedicated over 20 years of his 30-year Navy career to the TACAMO mission, managing strategic airborne command and communications programs. His son recently began supporting the TACAMO mission with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 7, contributing to critical communication links for U.S. Strategic Command's nuclear missile units.

“It was really great to see my son enjoy flying an aircraft that has been such a central part of my career and to see that the next generation is ready to perform the nation’s most important mission, deterrence,” Scott, who began at Tinker AFB in 1997 working on the same mission as his son is today.

During his visit to Tinker AFB, Scott led discussions, toured facilities, and revisited flying the E-6B simulator, with his son guiding him through the exercise. This unique experience showcased the generational evolution of the TACAMO mission, as LT j.g. Scott continues his father's legacy of deterrence and national security.

“The last time I flew the E-6B was in 2011. I was a bit rusty,” admitted Scott, who will retire from the Navy in June. “What made this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is that my son was able to showcase what he’s learned and I understood his journey having made it myself.  His skills showed me the simulator and VQ-7 instructors continue to excel in training young aviators to fly the E-6B aircraft.”

Training excellence at Tinker AFB

The base is the home to two E-6B Operational Flight Trainers (OFTs). Installed in 1992, they have since been the cornerstone of all pilot and flight engineer training for the TACAMO mission. The two E-6B OFT trainers are used for 24 initial qualification (IQ) pilots and 12 IQ flight engineer students per year as well as a dozen previously qualified pilots for re-qualification training.  A key part to keeping pilots ready and trained, these OFTs are also used to provide all community pilots and flight engineers normal and emergency training on a quarterly basis.

Despite their age, Tinker’s two OFTs have been routinely upgraded to match the configuration and flying qualities of the E-6 aircraft for over three decades.  Both trainers provide reliable, realistic, and up to date training for the Mercury mission 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

TACAMO has evolved over 30 years; the mission and the aircraft has advanced even while facing sustainment challenges. But there is never a moment that the president is not constantly connected to the Nation’s Nuclear Triad.

The mission to provide airborne command, control and communications remains steady and reliable in the E-6B. However, it is an aging airframe and to ensure mission coverage, must be replaced.

TACAMO mission: Steady but ready for evolution

The E-130J, formerly known as E-XX, will replace the aging E-6B Mercury and transition the nation’s airborne strategic nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) capability between aircraft with no break in operational coverage. Its mission equipment will be integrated into a militarized Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, bringing an updated capability to the warfighter.

“I started my career in naval aviation when the E-6 was new to the fleet, and I retired as the program manager of the E-6 and the E-130J aircraft program office,” said Scott. “I finished my career by putting the development of the replacement E-6B aircraft on contract and now my son is starting his career in the TACAMO community. This truly is an evolving mission for me in more ways than one.”

Scott most recently led the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271). On March 21, Scott turned over leadership responsibilities during a change of command ceremony.

The PMA-271 mission is to deliver and support survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command. The program's vision is to provide national security and deterrence through assured airborne strategic communications.