Two months short of one year since its selection, the new E-130J TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) aircraft of the U.S. Navy have received what will be their official designation, namely: Phoenix II. The news was announced by the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) of the institution last August 7.
According to what is reported by the force on its official site, the selection of the name seeks to make reference to the mythical Phoenix bird, a symbol associated with the concept of resurgence and renewal. In principle, it is a recognition for the EC-130Q platforms, based on the design line of a C-130, which served the U.S. Navy in TACAMO missions between 1963 and 1993.
In this regard, Captain Roger Davis, who serves as manager of PMA-271, stated: “Phoenix II is the ideal name for the next phase of the E-130J TACAMO mission. A Phoenix is known for its resilience, its exceptional lifespan, and its ability to transform and continue with its purpose. The dedicated team of PMA-271 has committed to the ideals of TACAMO’s crucial deterrence mission by executing this new platform, transforming the traditional mission aircraft into a new weapons system with unmatched survivability and longevity for this country.”
It is useful to recall at this point that TACAMO missions constitute a highly relevant pillar so that the naval ballistic missile forces can carry out their mission, considering that they are the link between those units, the U.S. Strategic Command, the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States. At present, it is a task carried out by the E-6B Mercury aircraft, which would eventually be replaced by the E-130J.
On the other hand, and expanding in details regarding the aforementioned SCW-1, we can mention that it is based at Tinker Air Force Base, located in the state of Oklahoma. Within its large structure, three squadrons can be identified, namely: Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3, nicknamed “Ironmen”; VQ-4, known as “Shadows”; and finally the “Roughnecks” that make up VQ-7.
One of its officers, Captain Britt Windeler, also celebrated the progress in the incorporation of the new E-130J Phoenix II as follows: “I am pleased that this important program is moving forward and that we have been able to draw on the sailors and veterans of our community during the process. I believe that Phoenix II is especially appropriate, as we return to our origins: executing the TACAMO mission in a variant of the C-130.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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