Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Boeing EC-135L

61-0269

— Grissom Air Museum —

Boeing EC-135L Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

1. Boeing EC-135L Marker

Inscription.
Specifications:
Manufacture: Boeing
Designation: EC-135L
Serial Number: 61-0269
Official name: Looking Glass
Nickname: Excalibur
Initial cost: $26,100.000 (USD in 1961)
Function: Airborne Command Post & Communications relay / Air Refueling Tanker
Crew: 15, Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Boom Operator, and various Command and Communication Crew that varied by mission.
Wingspan: 130.83ft
Length: 136.25ft
Height: 41.67ft
Power plant: 4 Pratt & Whitney J57-P-59W Turbojet engines with water injection.
Thrust: 13,750lbs each.
Empty weight: 98,465lbs
Max T/O weight: 322,500lbs
Cruising speed: 530mph
Max speed: 610mph
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Range: 1,503 miles un-refueled.
Armament: Defensive only, consisting of electronic and other countermeasures.
Year built: 1961
Year retired: 1992

Mission:
The EC-135 Looking Glass is a highly modified Command Post and Communications Relay variant of Boeing's family of C-135 Stratolifter/KC-135 Stratotanker family. Operation Looking Glass provided at least eleven EC-135's to the Commander in Chief and Strategic Air Command (SAC) stationed at multiple bases,

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Grissom AFB being one. The US nuclear strategies depended on its ability to command, control, and communicate with its nuclear forces under all conditions. An essential element of that ability was Looking Glass: its crew and staff ensured there was always an aircraft ready to direct bombers and missiles from the air, should ground-based command centers be destroyed or rendered inoperable. Looking Glass was intended to guarantee that US strategic forces would act only in the manner dictated by the President. SAC began the Looking Glass mission on 3 February 1961 and Looking Glass aircraft were continuously airborne 24 hours a day for over 29 years, accumulating more than 281,000 accident-free flying hours. On 24 July 1990, "The Glass" ceased continuous airborne alert, but remained on ground alert 24 hours a day until the deactivation of SAC on 1 June 1992.

Our aircraft:
Our EC-135L is nicknamed "Excalibur". It was delivered to the USAF on 8 December 1961 as a KC-135A Stratotanker and later upgraded to an EC-135 and assigned to Grissom AFB in 1970. It was first operated at Grissom by the 3rd Airborne Command and Control Squadron. (Looking

Boeing EC-135L and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

2. Boeing EC-135L and Marker

Glass 1970-1974/Eastern Radio Relay 1970-1990.) It was last assigned to the 305th AREF Wing, 70th AREF Squadron, Grissom AFB (SAC), and retired in 1992 at the end of the Cold War. This aircraft flew many missions during Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Shield, and Desert Storm. For the latter, it performed radio relay operations leading to the elimination of two Iraqi aircraft, over 60 tank kills, and 27 SCUD missile strikes saving untold American and Coalition lives. Our EC-135 is also unique as it retained its aerial refueling capability, even in its Command and Control role making it a very versatile asset.

Erected by Grissom Air Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1961.

Location. 40° 40.119′ N, 86° 7.778′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 W Hoosier Blvd, Peru IN 46970,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: EC-135L (here, next to this marker); Bell Aircraft Corporation UH-1H-BF (here, next to this marker); Cessna O-2A (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Safe Ramp Tower (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed T-33A (a few steps from this marker); Douglas TA-4J (a few steps from this marker); Grumman F-14B (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the subject aircraft. • Can you help?