The Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin during an Oct. 15 ceremony in Marietta, Georgia. The delivery marks the first step toward fielding the future E-130J Phoenix II and modernizing a vital strategic communications mission.

The aircraft will become the host platform for the Navy’s next generation “Take Charge and Move Out” mission system. That system is intended to provide survivable, reliable and secure communications among the president, the secretary of war and U.S. Strategic Command.

Acceptance of the new airframe begins the Navy’s planned transition from the legacy E-6B Mercury aircraft. While recognizing the Mercury’s decades of service, the program establishes the foundation for the Navy’s future mission requirements.

The Phoenix II designation reflects the idea of rebirth while also recognizing the EC-130Q Hercules. The Navy used that platform to execute the Take Charge and Move Out mission during the Cold War.

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The modernized capability is designed to keep the nation’s nuclear command, control and communications architecture resilient and reliable. The updated platform also provides the endurance, capacity and operational reach needed to support mission success in complex global environments.

The delivered aircraft is the extended C-130J-30 variant. It is part of an initial procurement of three aircraft that the Navy acquired in September 2024.

The ceremony highlighted cooperation between the Navy and the defense industrial base as the service prepares for the future E-130J fleet. Lockheed Martin representatives formally recognized the delivery by presenting a commemorative plaque and ceremonial key.

Navy Capt. Roger Davis received the plaque and key on behalf of the service. Davis serves as commander of the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office.

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“Today's delivery from the historic Marietta line represents far more than a new airframe; it marks the foundation of our future strategic deterrence posture,” Davis said. His remarks placed the delivery within the Navy’s broader effort to preserve dependable strategic communications.

“Through our close partnership with Lockheed Martin and our industry team, we are ensuring our nation maintains an unshakeable communications lifeline to our ballistic missile submarine fleet,” Davis said. The aircraft’s communications mission will directly support that connection.

The ceremony also recognized sailors assigned to Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Those sailors will be responsible for operating and maintaining the modernized aircraft fleet as the Navy moves forward with the transition.

Before the ceremony, select sailors took part in a fleet engagement day connected to the aircraft and its mission. Activities included simulator flights, tours of the production line and program briefings.

Navy Capt. David Gardner, the wing’s commodore, emphasized that sailors remain central to the credibility of the strategic communications mission. He specifically pointed to the personnel of SCW-1 and the responsibility they carry.

“Strategic deterrence is only as credible as our ability to communicate, and that mission rests in the hands of SCW-1's world-class sailors,” Gardner said. His statement tied the aircraft’s capabilities to the sailors who will operate and maintain it.

“The E-130J will provide our sailors unmatched capability and next-generation survivable and reliable communications, ensuring our team continues to be the unbreakable link between the president and strategic nuclear forces,” Gardner said.

The delivery combines a newly manufactured airframe with preparations for the future Take Charge and Move Out mission system. It also begins the Navy’s planned movement away from the E-6B Mercury while preserving the strategic communications role carried by earlier aircraft.

With the first C-130J-30 accepted, the Navy now has the opening aircraft from its September 2024 procurement of three. The Phoenix II program is intended to provide the endurance, capacity, reach and communications reliability required for the mission.

The Department of War provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation’s security. The future E-130J Phoenix II will support that responsibility through secure communications connecting national leadership, U.S. Strategic Command and strategic nuclear forces.

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