4ACCS, A Unique Organization

Air Force staff inside of Looking Glass

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News Release - United States Air Force - 4th Airborne Command Control Squadron (SAC) Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 57706

"4ACCS, A Unique Organization"

Events covering a period of approximately four years led to the formation of the Fourth Airborne Command Control Squadron (4ACCS). The first of these events came in 1966 with the assignment of EC-135 aircraft, flight crews and radio operators to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and Minot AFB, North Dakota. These men and their aircraft operated out of the 28th Air Refueling Squadron at Ellsworth and the 906th Air Refueling Squadron at Minot as part of the Strategic Air Command's (SAC) Post Attack Command Control System (PACCS).

The next step in 4ACCS development came in 1967 when the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) was established to provide a survivable, airborne launch capability for the Minuteman missile force. The ALCS was installed aboard the SAC Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and PAGCS aircraft assigned to Ellsworth and Minot. The ALCS crews were assigned to the 44th Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) at Ellsworth and the 91st SMW at Minot. Early in 1970, the men and aircraft from the West Auxiliary Command Post (WAUXCP) which was located at March AFB, California, moved to Ellsworth along with the PACCS and ALCS personnel and equipment from Minot. This was the final step in preparation for the formation of a new unit, 4ACCS, on 1 April 1970. (See attachment one for a history of 4ACCS command positions).

The newly formed unit faced a complex mission with many responsibilities and quickly organized into three branches that worked together to assure mission accomplishment. The Flight Operations Branch provided the survivable, airborne platform essential to all aspects of the mission. The ALCS Branch provided the airborne launch capability for the Minuteman System. The Battle Staff Branch provided complete battle staff support for the WAUXCP along with communications support for the squadron. In 1973, the communications specialists moved from the Battle Staff Branch to a newly formed Communications Branch. The squadron fulfills its mission through these four branches today. (See attachment two for a 4ACCS organizational chart).

Today, the 4ACCS occupies a unique position in the United States Air Force. First, it is the largest tactical squadron with over 240 officers and airmen assigned. Second, the personnel assigned to the unit are virtually all hand­picked by headquarters SAC. Third, 4ACCS is one of the few tactical squadrons that contains a formal Air Force School – ALCS Operational Readiness Training (ORT) with the squadron commander serving as the school's Commandant. (See attachment three for a history and description of ALCS ORT). Fourth, the EC-135 aircraft flown by the 4ACCS are unique themselves in that they are both tanker and receiver capable (capable of offloading and onloading fuel while airborne). This requires all aircrews to be tanker and receiver qualified. Fifth, the aircraft assigned to this unit, along with aircraft assigned to the SAC ABNCP, are the only aircraft capable of launching any or all 1000 of the United States' Minuteman missiles, including the Emergency Rocket Communication System sorties. Finally, while the squadron is among the newest in the Air Force, the mission of the 4ACCS is one of the most extensive and complex in the Armed Services. This mission involves the following:
a. Maintaining survivable communications to allow the National Command Authority to execute its forces.
b. Monitoring High Altitude Radiation Detection System equipment to allow detection of nuclear detonations over the United States;
c. Maintaining ALCS equipment to provide a means of launching Minuteman missiles;
d. Directing reconstitution and recovery of forces by Battle Staff personnel following an attack on this country;
e. Participating in damage assessment activities to assist national leaders after an attack;
f. Conducting frequent exercises and tests to insure the credibility of the deterrent forces of the United States.
Consequently, one will find many of the diverse functions normally assigned to an entire wing within this squadron.

The squadron carries out this complex mission by maintaining its alert commitments and flying a myriad of higher headquarters missions in addition to performing required training activities. Four EC-135 aircraft manned by crews from 4ACCS are always on alert and capable of immediate launch. (See attachments four and five for typical alert crews). Two of these aircraft are on alert at Ellsworth; the other two aircraft along with their crews are "satellited" to Minot for alert. (See attachment six for the areas of responsibility covered by these alert aircraft).

In addition to alert commitments, typical higher headquarters missions flown by 4ACCS crews during a month might include communications training exercises, Trailing Wire Antenna (TWA) missions, PACCS exercises, SAC ABNCP flights, Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman (SELM) tests, Hill Engineering Test Facility (HETF) missions, Old Hand tests, and periodically, an operational test launch of a Minuteman missile from the Western Test Range launch silos at Vandenberg AFB, California. (See attachment seven for more detailed definitions of these missions.)

When not actively involved in alert duties or higher headquarters missions, 4ACCS crews are engaged in training activities to maintain the skill and professionalism demanded by this elite unit. Training activities include flying, aircraft and missile simulator work, Emergency War Order (EWO) training, communications training, safety training, and emergency procedures training. Personnel also spend a significant amount of time ensuring that EWO materials are accurately maintained and ready for use at a moment's notice. In short, 4ACCS is a busy squadron in addition to being a big squadron.

And, as big and busy as it is, 4ACCS is an example in performance, profes­sionalism, and precision. Even though the squadron is just a few years old, the record shows that 4ACCS can do the job and do it right. The squadron has not faltered in maintaining its alert commitments since it was formed. Many Minuteman missile launches have been conducted by the squadron in addition to the countless higher headquarters missions flown. The results of these missions have been recognized by individuals throughout the Command including the Commander-In-Chief. In short, personnel assigned to 4ACCS have a right to be proud of themselves and their unit.

Attachment 1

Fourth Airborne Command Control Squadron Staff

Squadron Commanders
*Lt Col Clifford M. Jackson 9 Jul 1974 - Present
Lt Col Bennie R. Allen 21 Aug 1973 - 8 Jul 1974
Lt Col Ronald L. Haase 20 Nov 1972 - 20 Aug 1973
Lt Col Eugene Bal Jr. 1 Aug 1971 - 19 Nov 1972
Lt Col John A. Berlette 1 Apr 1970. - 31 Jul 1971

Flight Operations Branch Chief
*Major Robert D. Denison
Lt Col Arvid S. Doucette
Lt Col Morton C. Blaisdell
Major James F. Schantz
Lt Col John A. Salyer
Lt Col Billie G. Cobble
Lt Col Eugene Bal, Jr.

ALCS Branch Chief
*Maj Bruce J. Sieger
Maj Richard M. Shute
Maj David M. Woods
Cap David E. Kerr
Maj Charles E. Snyder

Battle Staff Branch Chief
*Lt Col Howard T. Lenz
Lt Col Rodney M. Hanson
Lt Col Ronald L. Haase
Lt Col Billy F. Blankenship

Communications Branch Chief
* Maj Osborne J. Roy
Maj John M. Robertson
Maj Joseph W. McElwain
Cap Justin E. Loucks

* Indicates Officer in this position as of 1 February, 1976.

Attachment 2

USAF

Attachment 3

ALCS Operational Readiness Training

Along with the establishment of the Airborne Launch Control System came the need to train personnel in the operation of the ALCS equipment and in associated procedures. In February 1967, personnel from the Air Training Command permanently stationed at Chanute AFB, Illinois, came to SAC Headquarters, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, to conduct the first ALCS training. ALCS training continued at Offutt AFB until March 1968 when ALCS Operational Readiness Training was officially established at Vandenberg AFB, California as part of the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron. All officers who were assigned duties as missile combat crewmembers - airborne, including operations controllers and communications officers assigned to the Strategic Air Command's Airborne Command Post (SAC ABNCP), were required to attend this school. With the establishment of the 4th Airborne Command Control Squadron (4ACCS) at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota in 1970, ALCS functions became more centralized. All ALCS crews operated out of 4ACCS except those assigned to the SAC ABNCP at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Consequently, ALCS training was moved to Ellsworth AFB in February 1971, and became part of the 4ACCS.

Since 1971, ALCS Operational Readiness Training has been an official Air Force school operating out of the 4ACCS ALCS Branch. The school is staffed with three full time instructors and one augmentee from the ALCS Branch instructor shop. The 4ACCS Commander serves as the school's Commandant, and one maintenance technician provides support for the ALCS trainer, or simulator. All officers whose duties will involve being a member of an ALCS crew are given their initial Weapon System and Emergency War Order training by ORT instructors. The course of study takes 20 workdays to complete, and ORT averages ten separate classes each year. At the end of 1975, a total of 230 officers had received their training through ORT; 98 while the school was at Vandenberg AFB, and 132 at Ellsworth AFB.

Typical Alert Crew for ALCS Aircraft

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Attachment 4

Typical Alert Crew for ALCS Aircraft
1. Pilot
2. Copilot
3. Navigator
4. Boom Operator
*5. Radio Maintenance Technician
6. Radio Operator
7. Radio Operator
8. Missile Combat Crew Commander
9. Deputy Missile Commander
*10. Crew Chief

* Indicates this individual is not assigned to 4ACCS.

Typical Alert Crew for WAUXCP Aircraft

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ATTACHMENT 5

Typical Alert Crew For WAUXCP Aircraft

1. Pilot
2. Copilot
3. Navigator
4. Boom Operator
*5. Radio Maintenance Technician
6. Radio Operator
7. Radio Operator
8. Crypto Operator
9. Crypto Operator
10. Logistics Planner
11. Logistics Planner
12. Operations Planner
13. Operations Planner
14. Intelligence Planner
15. Intelligence Planner
16. Force Status Controller
17. Operations Controller
18. Operations Controller
**19. Airborne Energency Action Officer
20. Communications Officer
21. Crew Chief

*Indicates this individual is not assigned to 4 ACCS.
**This position is manned by a general officer and is only occupied when the aircraft is flying as the SAC ABNCP.

Post Attack Command Control System Peacetime Areas

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Attachment 6

Post Attack Command Control System Peacetime Areas
**1. SAC ABNCP - SAC Airborne Command Post - Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
*2. ALCC 3 - Airborne Launch Control Center J - satellited to Minot AFB, North Dakota from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. This aircraft covers the Minuteman missiles at Minot and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
*3. ALCC 2 - Airborne Launch Control Center 2 - satellited to Minot AFB,North Dakota from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. This aircraft. covers the Minuteman missiles at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.
*4. ALCC 1 - Airborne Launch Control Center 1 - Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. This aircraft covers the Minuteman missiles at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
*5. AUXCP - West Auxiliary Canmand Post - Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. This aircraft is designated as an ALCS spare aircraft.
6. EAUXCP - East Auxiliary Command Post - Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
7. RELAY 1 - PACCS Relay 1 - Grissom AFB, Indiana.
8. RELAY 2 - PACCS Relay 2 - Grissom AFB, Indiana.

* This aircraft is assigned to 4ACCS.
** The SAC ABNCP also serves as ALOC for Minuteman missiles at Whiteman AFB, Missouri

Attachment 7

4ACCS Missions Defined

1. Strategic Air Command Airborne Command Post (SAC ABNCP) - A SAC ABNCP sortie is airborne 24 hours a day, normally launched from SAC Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Periodically, a general officer is assigned to a 4ACCS West Auxiliary Command Post sortie, which is then flown as the SAC ABNCP. 4ACCS crews also fly as the SAC ABNCP due to inclement weather or other reasons which may make launch of the SAC ABNCP from Offutt AFB impossible or hazardous.
2. Communications Training Exercise Missions - These are exercises in which PACCS aircraft are launched to provide crew training in the use of equipment and operating procedures. They also verify the operational capability of PACCS and ALCS equipment.
3. Glory Trip or Operational Test Launch Missions - These missions test­launch missiles down the Western Test Range from Vandenberg AFB. About once a quarter, an ALCS aircraft is used to actually send the launch command.
4. Hill Engineering Test Facility (HETF) Missions - At Hill AFB, Utah, the Air Force maintains a full scale engineering test facility for the Minuteman missile and its related ground support and launch facilities. On the average of once a month, a mission is flown against their facility to gain engineering data about both the Minuteman facilities and the ALCS system.
5. Old Hand Missions - After a flight of Minuteman missiles has completed a modification, such as the Command Data Buffer modification, an ALCS mission is flown to verify the compatibility of the modified missiles with the ALCS equipment.
6. PACCS Exercise Missions - These missions are very similar to the Communications exercises previously mentioned. However, during a PACCS exercise, all PACCS alert aircraft participate and wartime conditions are simulated. During the mission, the PACCS system is evaluated on its ability to implement and carry out Emergency War Order procedures.
7. Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman (SELM) Missions - A SELM test is a full scale evaluation of the electronic command control capability of minuteman missiles in their operational silos. The missiles are "safed" to insure that an inadvertent launch could not occur. Then, a series of commands is sent to them, and their responses are recorded. As a portion of this test, an ALCS aircraft sends commands to the test flight of missiles to allow evaluation of its response to the ALCS system. These tests are also called Giant Pace missions.
8. Trailing Wire Antenna (TWA) Missions - A trailing wire antenna is an antenna carried aboard certain PACCS aircraft which gives them the capability to transmit messages via the Survivable Low Frequency Communications System {SLFCS) to launch control centers below. A TWA mission tests the operation of this equipment and verifies the capability of the airborne equipment to interface with other stations.