What provides the President, SECDEF and the JCS with a survivable C2 capability through which execution and direction of strategic nuclear forces can be conducted during all phases of nuclear war and in other crisis situations?

• A. NMCS
• B. NMCC
• C. NAOC
• D. GIG

Answer: (C)

A survivable, mobile command post that can stay operational even under attack is what ensures continuous guidance of strategic forces. The National Airborne Operations Center accomplishes this by serving as an airborne, self-contained command post for the President, SECDEF, and JCS. It maintains independent, secure communications and robust redundancy, and can relocate as needed, ensuring the ability to issue orders and receive status during all phases of nuclear war and other crises. Ground-based centers like the NMCS and NMCC are fixed and more vulnerable to attack, and the Global Information Grid is a network rather than a physical, survivable command post. For a guaranteed, continuous C2 capability in a nuclear crisis, NAOC is the best fit.