• From 1961 to 1990, a Looking Glass aircraft was in the air at all times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The EC-135 is a versatile airframe with excellent airspeed, range, endurance and air refueling flexibility. The fact all the EC-135 aircraft are both tanker receiver and air refueling capable allows the 2nd ACCS to virtually self-sufficient. In addition, air refueling allows the aircraft's mission to be extended almost indefinitely, giving it range to conduct non-stop operations to any operating location worldwide.

The EC-135C Looking Glass aircraft are flown by the 2nd Airborne Command Control Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. The squadrons primary mission is to provide the National Command Authorities and the Joint Chiefs of Staff with a survivable element of the USSTRATCOM Command and Control System capable of executing and directing nuclear forces. The function and composition of the battle staff aboard Looking Glass mirrors the capabilities of USSTRATCOM's larger battle staff in the underground command center at Offutt AFB.