PATUXENT RIVER, Md. –
E-6B Mercury pilots from Strategic Communications Wing (SCW) 1 and subordinate commands have completed their first Public Aircraft Operations (PAO) training flight successfully, a significant milestone in maintaining readiness for the critical Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission. The flight, which occurred May 30, was the culmination of fast-paced collaboration and a contract award to address an urgent fleet need.
The TACAMO community required an in-flight trainer (IFT) solution that helps pilots meet hands-on training requirements.
“[The program offices] teammates maintained a fleet-focused perspective throughout the entire acquisition process to meet the fleet-requested ‘North Star’ milestone of having an IFT solution for TACAMO pilot training as expeditiously as possible,” said Capt. Greg Sutton, Adversary and Specialized Aircraft program manager.
That’s where the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office came in, entering into an agreement with the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office in January to provide flight hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft.
On March 3, the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office subsequently awarded an undefinitized contract action to KALS, LLC, to provide Contractor-Owned, Government-Operated (COGO) Contracted Air Services (CAS) under a PAO framework.
Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office CAS executed its first COGO contract, working daily with KALS, to continuously review documentation and flight clearance requirements. The Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office, the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office, and SCW-1 also met weekly to ensure they achieved all identified requirements and deadlines. This collaboration helped transition from contract award to training flight operations in less than three months.
“This first PAO training flight demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to maintain the readiness of our E-6B pilots,” said Capt. Roger Davis, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office program manager. “This collaborative effort, from contract award to first flight, reflects the dedication and ingenuity of the entire team.”
“The phenomenal speed of contract award and execution of the first flight is very much appreciated,” said Capt. Britt Windeler, SCW-1 commander. “My utmost thanks go out to the entire team behind this effort.”
This new training program represents a significant step forward in Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office’s ongoing commitment to deliver a timely, affordable and effective IFT for the E-6B. In June 2021, the Navy purchased an E-3D aircraft from the Royal Air Force for $15 million, planning to convert it into a TE-6B IFT. However, a subsequent assessment determined the cost of converting the E-3D and restoring its airworthiness no longer provided a positive return on investment. The Navy issued a stop-work order on the contract with Northrop Grumman Corp. in November 2023. The aircraft is slated for parts harvesting and disposal by Northrop Grumman, where valuable parts—with an estimated value exceeding the initial $15 million purchase price—will be recovered and can be inducted into the supply system for the current E-6B fleet to use.
“I’m excited and looking forward to the bright future of continuing to train E-6B pilots as we start improving the flight experience in the community,” said Capt. Zach Brown, SCW-1 prospective deputy wing commander and primary SCW-1 lead for this effort.
Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office is headquartered at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Its 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.
Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office is responsible for life cycle cradle-to-grave management of several legacy and out-of-inventory aircraft and engines, assigned by NAVAIR and contracted air services. Assigned platforms and services include: adversary aircraft (F-5, F-16); contracted aircraft services; U.S. Naval Test Pilot School/Naval Postgraduate School (T-38, H-72, X-26, U-6, NU-1B, O-2, OH-58C); and foreign military sales out of active Navy inventory aircraft (T-2, H-2, H-3 and A-4).
From the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office. 