Which aircraft served as Igloo White's relay?

Short answer

Igloo White's initial relay was the EC-121R Warning Star, which received and retransmitted sensor signals. It flew with the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing from the Thai base at Korat and sent data to Nakhon Phanom over a 2,200-2,300 MHz radio link.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Which aircraft served as Igloo White's relay?

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The EC-121R Warning Star

EC-121R Warning Star aircraft initially received and retransmitted Igloo White's sensor signals. They belonged to the Air Force's 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, based at the Royal Thai Air Force base at Korat. The EC-121s relayed the gathered information to Nakhon Phanom. The radio link used operated between 2,200 and 2,300 MHz. In the system's scheme, the relay and control aircraft received the signals coming from the sensors and directed aircraft to targets as indicated by the collection center.

From the QU-22B Pave Eagle to the C-130B

Later, the QU-22B Pave Eagle joined as a complement to the EC-121R. These aircraft were meant to be remotely piloted. The QU-22Bs had passed flight tests of their main mission equipment at Eglin Air Force Base, in Florida, in 1968. In December 1971 they were replaced by C-130B aircraft.