Albrightsville native supports Navy’s nuclear deterrence

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – A 2013 Jim Thorpe High School graduate and Albrightsville native in the U.S. Navy supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Tabois is a naval aircrewman (avionics) serving with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 4, a versatile command operating E6-B Mercury aircraft under USSTRATCOM operational control providing a survivable and endurable airborne communications link to the nation’s strategic forces.

Tabois is responsible for maintaining mission capability by maintaining naval aircraft equipment.

Tabois credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Albrightsville.

“Growing up I learned to make friends with everybody,” Tabois said. “It’s helped me while serving because it’s allowed me to be adaptable to everyone and every job I work with.”

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 like that this command has great camaraderie,” Tabois said. “We all get along well because we take care of each other on and off the job.”

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.

“Providing nuclear deterrence means I have to hold myself to a higher standard to ensure the mission is accomplished,” Tabois said.

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

“I am proud to be able to do something for my country,” Tabois said. “That’s a direct result of my service in the Navy.”