RB-66C Tail Number 54-467
Flying Command Post / Flying Relay Station
Submitted by Lionel L. Barfield, Jr.

Partial information about the "10th TRW's Flying Command Post", aircraft 54-467, a "C" model assigned initially to Alconbury, (was transferred in '64 to Toul minus the enlisted comm troops) was modified with the addition of seven more UHF Radios (six were wired for automatic relay, signal came in on one frequency and out on another), the HF Radio (ARC-21) was replaced with an ARC-65 Single side band HF radio (the only one in the fleet).

There were six Avionics Communication Technicians on non-aircrew status and there were always two flying when 467 flew. The Comm troops flew in positions 1 and 2 and sometimes in 3 (for check-out or to get their time in) and there was always an officer which was usually an EWO officer (the primary was Maj Sebanga, spelling could be off) in position 4. Position 4 was the go-between from the rear to the front and he always "reminded" the Pilot that there were warm bodies in the back. This plane had external tanks and the Chaff tail (they tried the gun tail for awhile).

Col. Kemp was in command when this was modified, as I remember being told, lightning had hit it and burned the wiring up in the wings, so instead of sending it back to Brookley AFB, AL to be "fixed", he decided he wanted a "Flying Command Post" or "Flying Relay Station" and as Wing King he got it.

There was an Airman First Class Comm troop, Ronald Carson that did most of the work and a SSgt Ed Chastain (Ret CMS, deceased) and SSgt George Steele (Ret CMS) that were part of the first group of flyers. I lucked out when A1C Charlie Gautier kept puking when he flew and had to come off status and I was next. Then there was A1C Richard (Dick) Maheu and A1C Michael Ezzell, there were a few more but at this typing (02/2004)
I can't remember. Anyhow this can be a start for you if you so desire.

NOTE: More information about this and other unusual uses of a B-66 are welcome.

For more Unusual B-66 Operations