US E-6B Mercury TACAMO aircraft tracked

A US Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, a critical component of the nation's nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) fleet, has been tracked departing Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. The aircraft, identified with tactical hex code AF8404, is part of the TACAMO (Take Charge And Move Out) system responsible for relaying orders to ballistic missile submarines and strategic bombers. This flight follows recent tracking of another E-6B from Albuquerque, indicating ongoing operations of these high-priority assets. The E-6B's presence underscores the continuous readiness of US strategic forces amid global tensions.