Regarding Flying Command Post C-97. In August 1960, the AFCS (Air Force Communications Service) directed that a prototype flyable communications "facility" be developed to conduct operational tests and evaluations as a model command and control aircraft to serve as an initial, on-site communications facility for contingencies. Ultimately, the result of this directive was "Talking Bird," an air-transportable communications package designed to be loaded into a C-97E (and later C-130) and operated from within that aircraft after landing in a contingency area. The aircraft and flight crew for the C-97E were from the Oklahoma Air National Guard while the communications crew were regular Air Force. The name of of plane was "Miss Oklahoma City". Doyle Hastie was the C-97E aircraft commander for the "Talking Bird". From 1961 to 1963, it was used to maintain constant secure communications between the nation's capital and President John F. Kennedy during his visits to foreign countries.
Airliners Net has a picture of the Miss Oklahoma City taken at an air show in London:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 0216142/M/My father was a senior member of the Air Force Commications Crew at the start of program and through its days in the C-130.
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