The Aircraft Is Tasked with Ballistic Missile Submarine Communications.

A U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury “Doomsday Plane” made a precautionary landing on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Tulsa International Airport at approximately 3:00 PM local. The crew were seen to evacuate the aircraft using the emergency slides. At least one crew member appeared to be covering his face, possibly reacting to smoke in the aircraft.

According to the U.S. Navy, the aircrew experienced fumes in the aircraft due to a faulty water separator. Unlike what was initially reported, there was no fire alarm on board.

The precautionary landing was due to fumes in the aircraft due to a faulty water separator. No fire or alarm. — flynavy (@flynavy) March 7, 2019

The incident is noteworthy because of the E-6B Mercury’s role in strategic defense. The aircraft is operated by Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMWING ONE).

This is what our Editor David Cenciotti wrote about this aircraft in the past:

Therefore, the E-6B acts as an emergency communications platform to issue or relay launch orders to nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines on active patrol around the world. Should ground-based nuclear ballistic missile command and control facilities be destroyed in a first-strike on the U.S., the E-6B Mercury aircraft could issue launch directives from flight. E-6B Mercury aircraft can also direct other strategic nuclear strike assets in the event of a crisis when ground-based strategic command and control assets are compromised.







It is unknown if the aircraft involved in the emergency landing was from VQ-3 or VQ-4, flying an active mission as part of the ongoing strategic nuclear deterrent force or if this aircraft was attached to VQ-7, the training unit that supplies the two operational units.

Notable features of this E-6B Mercury include a five-mile long wire antennae that is trailed at a near vertical angle behind the plane in flight to communicate with submerged nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarines.

Media outlets reported that no crew members were transported to medical facilities following the incident. No further information about the emergency landing incident has been reported.