TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – A 2006 Old Orchard Beach High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Sevigny credits his family for his decision to join the service.

“My biggest mentor is my grandfather James Winder, an Air Force veteran, who would take me to work with him when he worked at Pease Air Force Base as a civilian contractor,” said Sevigny. “I loved watching the aircraft take off.”

The mission stems from the original 1961 Cold War order known as Take Charge and Move Out! Adapted as TACAMO and now the command’s nickname, today, the men and women of TACAMO continue to provide a survivable communication link between national decision makers and the nation’s nuclear weapons.

The commander-in-chief issues orders to members of the military who operate nuclear weapons aboard submarines, aircraft or in land-based missile silos. Sailors aboard TACAMO E-6 Mercury aircraft provide the one-of-a-kind and most-survivable communication needed for this critical mission.

“I’m honored to serve with the men and women who help keep our nation safe through nuclear deterrence,” said Captain Edward McCabe, commodore, Strategic Communications Wing One. “Their dedication to our mission is a testament to our mantra of Take Charge and Move Out!”

The command consists of three squadrons and a wing staff that employs more than 1,200 active-duty sailors who provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training and logistic support for the TACAMO aircraft fleet.

Sevigny is a naval air crewman mechanical assigned to Tinker Air Force Base where the Navy command is headquartered.

A naval air crewman mechanical is a subject matter expert on all aircraft systems on the E-6 Mercury and helps provide a survivable communications link between the president and all nuclear forces.

The Navy’s presence aboard an Air Force base in the middle of America may seem like an odd location given its distance from any ocean; however, the central location allows for the deployment of aircraft to both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on a moment’s notice.

This quick response is key to the success of the nuclear deterrence mission.

“It’s the reason why there isn’t nuclear war,” said Sevigny. “Our deterrence mission prevents escalation.” 

Sailors serving from America’s heartland take pride in the vital mission they support as well as the nuclear deterrence they help provide.

“The Navy gives me the chance to give back to those who helped me when I was young and in school,” said Sevigny. “Knowing that our military was strong allowed me to grow up as a child who did not fear for my safety, unlike many kids in war-torn countries who have to fear for theirs everyday.”