The Travis-based, Navy VQ-3 detachment unit is the key to communication with nuclear submarines in the Pacific Ocean. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

The Navy's VQ-3 detachment unit, at Travis Air Force Base, has its own galley, gym, communications and mission preparation rooms, security and a maintenance facilities which are capable of keeping the E-6 Mercury plane ready for flight whenever the call for a mission comes. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

Lt. Cmdr. Jason Anstead gestures toward a E-6 Mercury communications plane used by the Navy VQ-3 detachment unit based at Travis Air Force Base. The plane trails a five-mile-long antenna out of its rear, in order to communicate with submarines on missions in the Pacific. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)