President decides to launch missiles...?

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The US has a "dual" order system, only two people can receive and transmitt a nuclear launch order, even the President needs the Secretary of Defense or other high level civilian leader to repeat his order.

A typical sequence would involve the Commander at NORAD observing nuclear missiles being fueled based on satellite photos/cameras observed by Second Louis' at their computer screen deep underground at Offut AFB, Nebraska and/or aerial reconnaisance. As the nerve center of the United States Strategic Command, the USSTRATCOM Command Center at Offut AFB is prepared to transmit National Command Authority directives to strategic aircraft, submarines and missile forces.

USSTRATCOM General or Admiral telephones the President regarding the possible launch of enemy missiles. The President and his "PAL" enter the codes authorizing the Pentagon to launch nuclear weapons. The President's codes are with him 24/7 carried in a suitcase ("football") by a military aid. The Single Intergrated Operational Plans (SIOP) are contained in the football and are classified.

In the event of national emergencies, a series of seven different alert Conditions can be called. DEFCON 1-5 are ready states of alertness declared by USSTRATCOM (the old SAC). SAC declared DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the only time in history we've been at that level (ready to strike targets in the Soviet Union). EMERGCONs are even greater states of war readiness, these are times when the NORAD commander has determined that a nuclear attack is underway or imminent, either against continental USA targets or US installations.

To maintain civilian control over the military, the Joint Military Command (used to be th Air Force) maintains at least two TACOMO aircract E-6 airborne command centers, carrying who ever's left of the civilian leadership that may be alive. During the 9/11 attack, we were only placed on DEFCON III, even though continental US was under attack.

The SIOPS advisor aboard the "Looking Glass, the second in command, headed the planning staff advised the Looking Glass commander (Flag officer from Navy or Airforce) of the war plans available to the President. The intelligence officer briefs the entire battle staff on current intelligence matters, developed threat assessments, and identified emerging threats to the US. The Looking Glass provides around-the-clock, survivable, alternate command post for the National Command Authority (NCA) and the Commander in Chief of USSTRATCOM, guaranteeing the use of strategic forces during national emergencies.

The dual system of the launch sequence goes to the level of the Minute Man Missile silos at Malmstrom, FE Warren and Minot AFB's. After receiving and confirming the launch two officers in the command capsule must turn keys simultaneously after receiving the proper “enabling” code. This unlocks a butterfly valve, allowing two chemicals to combine and ignite, launching the missile.

Ohio class Nuclear Subs and B-2 Bombers have dual systems sequences, so that one person cannot launch their respective missiles. The PALS (Permissive Action Links) system is used to authentic codes and prevent unauthorized use of the weapons.

The Pentagon is working on protocols for preemptive strikes based on how imminent a threat may be. The command and control sequence for nuclear launches, is more than just "a finger on the button." 13,000 nuclear devices are currently deployed. Among these, about 4,400 sit within missiles on high-level alert, just minutes away from launch. I almost forgot, there is a timing sequence from initial enemy launches to the time of "failsafe", the drop dead time the President can recsind the order; it's currently around 28 minutes.

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btw, alot has changed since The Day After came out, there is no longer SAC but the one mentioned above...among other things. The arsenals of the US and Russia can obliterate a million Hiroshimas....anyway sleep tight.

Thanks for the info...very informative

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