THE PRESIDENT'S NUCLEAR "FOOTBALL": HISTORY, FACTS, AND PHOTOS.
The Nuclear "Football(Click for close-up view)."
Its officially known as the president's emergency sachel, but to the rest of the world its called just the "football." It is the outgrowth of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis under President Kennedy, and every president since has been shadowed by the "football."
It received its name from the the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) which was initially nicknamed "dropkick." It is one of the last remaining vestiges of the Cold War.
I say last, since a poll released on June 22nd., taken from 85 nonproliferation and national security experts, shows that over the next decade there is a 70% chance of a nuclear detonation, but it will be from a rogue terrorist group. This study was commissioned by the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Richard Lugar,R-Ind.
The black suitcase, or bag, weighs roughly 45 pounds and is carried by a rotating group of 5 White House military aides that carry the coveted "Yankee White" security clearance necessary to work in such close proximity to the president.
White House Military Aides exchanging the "Football."
The "football" contains the "Gold Codes" that are relayed to the Pentagon for implementation through its secure SATCOM radio within the bag. It also contains the
president's decision book, which has been described as a type of Denny's menu. You pick something from column A, and then column B, etc.
There have been several fumbles of the "football" that have made it to press, and I'm sure many more that haven't.
The best way to know everything about the football is through the following links:
"Football" Myths And Facts.
The "Football" in the White House Closet (actual transcript).
SIOP Explained.
Regards,
Charlie
The Nuclear "Football(Click for close-up view)."
