If Needed, Who gets to Push the Nuclear Button

me ^ | 1/26/04 | eastforker

[eastforker]

I asked this question on an earlier thread. I was Freepmailed and told it was classified by a naval officer. In light of some of the presidential candidates before us, I would like to know, who decides to push the N button if needed. In contrast, if the N button needs to be pushed and the president refuses, who or what over rules.

[NewLand]

"I'M STILL IN CHARGE..."

[Snowy]

Since we have only used nuclear weapons twice in history, and since a Democrat, Harry S. Truman, authorized their use, I guess you'd be wrong there.

You are correct. However, I was thinking about today's democrats.

[Alberta's Child]

The Xlinton's didn't hesitate to grab him for a 'political torpedo run' against Dean...and also likely Kerry.

I used to think this was the case, but now I'm not so sure. In retrospect, I'd say the Clintons' support of Clark's campaign can be attributed to one of the following:

1. They knew he didn't have a chance in hell of getting the Democratic nomination, or even being a factor in the race. But they supported his idiotic political aspirations in a half-hearted attempt to mend fences with him after firing him a few years earlier.

2. They knew exactly how crazy he was, and saw this as an opportunity to show the world how smart they were for having fired him when they had a chance.

[Alberta's Child]

What's interesting about that list is the order of succession among cabinet members. The cabinet positions are listed in the order of succession according to the order in which they came into existence in U.S. history.

[CholeraJoe]

remotely using totally automated controls...from Air Force One, to Looking Glass to NORAD.

I doubt the first one since reporters and other non-cleared individuals routinely fly on Air Force One. Perhaps you are thinking of the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) pronounced Knee-cap. A specially modified Boeing 747-200, equipped with communications and satellite uplink gear as well as the ability to launch ICBMs remotely.

If you recall on 9/11/2001, the President immediately flew from Florida to Barksdale AFB, LA, where the NEACP is based, among other locations.

[chimera]

I have read and understood from others that the USA almost got nuked from Russia in 1995 from the launch of a weather satelite.

One reason why our counterstrike policy has not been based so much on "launch on warning" (LOW), but to attempt to ride out the initial salvo and launch after assessment of the initial strike. LOW escalates the risk of accidental launch. I'm not for certain what the Soviet policy was, but it would not surprise me to learn that it might in fact have been LOW.

Also, with the threat of a launch, there is like only 15 minutes to make a decision to counterlaunch.

The 15 minute window is for a particular scenario, wherein in forward-based silos are used to impact nearer targets. An example might be silos on the Kamchatka Peninsula targeting bases in Alaska. There could be earlier strikes, such as missiles lobbed in by submarines onto near-shore airfields or strategic targets. Of course, if the opponent's plan is a time-on-target approach, the timeline would be dictated by the furthest "throw" distance.

Very sobering facts folks.

Amen to that. This is why I don't mind the American political system being so ruthless. A better chance to weed out the unstable and weak-minded would-be CICs. Not that it always works, but we want the coolest heads in there when the situation gets hot (and a big NO THANKS to one Gov. Dean)...

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed. Are you a 007 fan?

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers... Thanks for that tidbit!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for that article!

[Doctor Stochastic]

I like some; the ones with a bit of plot. My favorites are Dr No, Goldfinger, Thunderball, From Russia with Love, For Your Eyes Only. (I haven't seen On Her Majesty's Secret Service in so long, I don't remember.)

Some aren't very good (in my opinion): Moonraker, Live & Let Die, the one with Dr Quinn, The big submarine one, Casion Royale, and all with Pierce Brosnan (I like his acting, just not theses.)

[sarasmom]

I do.
Be afraid, be very, very afraid.

[Alamo-Girl]

I think our taste in Bond is quite similar. Because "Lord of the Rings" has done so well while other big budget, high special effects but character and plotless movies have fallen flat - leaves me wondering if Hollywood will get a clue.

[RadioAstronomer]

are the minute man silos still maned??

The silos were never manned, however, the LCCs are.

[COEXERJ145]

There is a video from Sept. 11th as people are running out of the White House and someone yells "My God, it's the Doomsday Plane!". Everyone, and the camera, turns to see an E-4B climbing into the sky. You could see the look of horror on everyone's faces because the only known reason to scramble that aircraft is in the event of a nuclear strike on the United States. At that time, no one was sure how bad that day was going to get. (Sept. 11th was also the only time NORAD closed their blast doors outside of training exercises.)

[Poohbah]

The missiles work, but there was actually a problem with the warheads on the old posieden missles. We could have only punched a hole in the ground somewhere since testing showed that the warhead tended to not go off.

Separate issue. I'm just looking at the launch of the unarmed missile. We get 1 failure in 5 attempts, after extensive pre-launch testing and repair work.

We've test-fired exactly ONE missile with a live warhead, and that was in 1962. The missile in question was a Polaris A-1, and that missile was retired from service in 1965.

[Poohbah]

It's no longer NEACP--it's the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC).

Also, NAOC doesn't have the Airborne Launch Control System--that's only on the E-6B TACAMO.

[foreverfree]

bump

[foreverfree]

If you recall on 9/11/2001, the President immediately flew from Florida to Barksdale AFB, LA, where the NEACP is based, among other locations.

That GWB didn't go right back to DC was a target of Eric Alterman's ridicule in What Liberal Media? IIRC, though not mine.

foreverfree

[CholeraJoe]

The NEACP aircraft move around but are based on the Gulf Coast(Barksdale AFB, LA), the East coast (Andrews AFB, MD), the Heartland (Offutt AFB, NE) and somewhere in California. I shall not say more other than I have personally toured one and they are awesome. The crews are hardcore troops from all four services.

[CholeraJoe]

That's interesting and valuable. My info is 10 years out of date, obviously.

Are you a VetsCor member?

Veterans For Constitutional Restoration

I am up for membership on its Board tomorrow night. If you're a member I'd appreciate your support. If you're not a member, please join us.