The rare overseas deployment of a US Navy E-6B Mercury nuclear command and control aircraft has drawn international attention after it crossed the Atlantic Ocean and entered European airspace. It is a critical element of the Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) network, ensuring a survivable link between the US President, Secretary of Defense and US Strategic Command. Previous deployment in EuropeThe last overseas deployment of the type occurred on June 20, 2024, when an E-6B Mercury operated from Rygge Air Force Base in Norway. The Tennessee can carry up to 20 Trident II nuclear missiles, underscoring the strategic weight of the operation. The transition aims to modernize the US Navy’s nuclear command and control capability with a more versatile and sustainable platform.