The longest EAM ever, according to people who would know, is much longer. It is at least 515 characters. This one was "only" 270.
While it is plausible that a fair number of US military assets required new instructions regarding the security of US diplomatic personnel overseas, any such connection would be sheer speculation. There is no evidence connecting these special multi-block EAMs with anything extraordinary at all. We'll probably never know.
Showing posts with label USAF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USAF. Show all posts
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Longest USAF EAM Ever?
EAM stands for Emergency Action Message. They aren't really only for dire national emergencies like nuclear war or terrorism, though they are definitely another way the command structure of the US military would get essential orders out in either of these.
It used to be thought in the more conspiratorially minded parts of the Internet that very long ones would mean a lot of orders going out at once, and indicate that something very large is up. This has not been shown as the case. The really long ones come in sections, and in the past they've been related to exercises or unknown situations.
With this, let's note that tonight they sent just possibly the longest one ever. It was 270 characters long. (Normal is around 35.) It took the poor operator at Andrews HF-GCS 23 minutes to get through the required two broadcasts. He barely made it. You could hear him trying to catch his breath.
The loudest frequency heard in California was 6739 kHz USB. The broadcast was parallel on other HFGCS channels. The ones heard here were 8992 and 11175.
Here is the (offline encrypted) text of the EAM Note the sections delimited by 4 repetitions of a letter, which is typical of this particular extended message type:
It used to be thought in the more conspiratorially minded parts of the Internet that very long ones would mean a lot of orders going out at once, and indicate that something very large is up. This has not been shown as the case. The really long ones come in sections, and in the past they've been related to exercises or unknown situations.
With this, let's note that tonight they sent just possibly the longest one ever. It was 270 characters long. (Normal is around 35.) It took the poor operator at Andrews HF-GCS 23 minutes to get through the required two broadcasts. He barely made it. You could hear him trying to catch his breath.
The loudest frequency heard in California was 6739 kHz USB. The broadcast was parallel on other HFGCS channels. The ones heard here were 8992 and 11175.
Here is the (offline encrypted) text of the EAM Note the sections delimited by 4 repetitions of a letter, which is typical of this particular extended message type:
VXNN7UBAZ5HDGTF2YZLLVJWO QVURW4KHSX3PW7O5ASOCUS7DVJPYRANKR5GGVTVTAXOANKKEEEEBPC5F3ZCACCCX2OX22Y HHHH4XOIIWRBP2WHIPZIIPK CCCC7NBNVFAA5F3YCMLLXEN QQQQ4VFCBEXHQIZORDIZNHPHMU3425PMZKPCFSS2LIJEDKTJ AAAA3P5RJTQ77UD2I46VS4D CCCCBUYNM4LJO3LNM3FVMUY JJJJ3HXRRHWVJWWEBDYYDYG HHHHJDIB2DL6UM
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Air Recon Taskings for Irene 8/25-26
000
NOUS42 KNHC 241530
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EDT WED 24 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 25/1100Z TO 26/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-085
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 74
A. 25/18Z,21Z,26/00Z
B. AFXXX 2109A IRENE
C. 25/1430Z
D. 26.1N 76.5W
E. 25/1730Z TO 26/00Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 26/00Z
B. NOAA9 2209A IRENE
C. 25/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 26/00Z
B. NOAA2 2309A IRENE
C. 25/20Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 75
A. 26/03Z,06Z,09Z
B. AFXXX 2409A IRENE
C. 26/2345Z
D. 27.7N 77.0W
E. 26/0530Z TO 26/12Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 26/12Z
B. NOAA9 2509A IRENE
C. 26/0530Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- NOAA 42
A. 26/12Z
B. NOAA2 2609A IRENE
C. 26/0800Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 3-HRLY FIXES,
P-3 MISSIONS CONTINUE EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 241530
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EDT WED 24 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 25/1100Z TO 26/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-085
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 74
A. 25/18Z,21Z,26/00Z
B. AFXXX 2109A IRENE
C. 25/1430Z
D. 26.1N 76.5W
E. 25/1730Z TO 26/00Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 26/00Z
B. NOAA9 2209A IRENE
C. 25/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 26/00Z
B. NOAA2 2309A IRENE
C. 25/20Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 75
A. 26/03Z,06Z,09Z
B. AFXXX 2409A IRENE
C. 26/2345Z
D. 27.7N 77.0W
E. 26/0530Z TO 26/12Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 26/12Z
B. NOAA9 2509A IRENE
C. 26/0530Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- NOAA 42
A. 26/12Z
B. NOAA2 2609A IRENE
C. 26/0800Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 3-HRLY FIXES,
P-3 MISSIONS CONTINUE EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Air Recon Taskings for Irene 8/24-25
000
NOUS42 KNHC 231500
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1100 AM EDT TUE 23 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 24/1100Z TO 25/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-084
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 72
A. 24/12Z,18Z
B. AFXXX 1409A IRENE
C. 24/0930Z
D. 22.3N 73.8W
E. 24/1130Z TO 24/18Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 25/00Z
B. NOAA9 1509A IRENE
C. 24/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 25/00Z
B. NOAA2 1609A IRENE
C. 24/20Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 73
A. 25/00Z,06Z
B. AFXXX 1709A IRENE
C. 24/2115Z
D. 23.6N 75.2W
E. 24/2330Z TO 25/06Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 25/12Z
B. NOAA9 1809A IRENE
C. 25/0530Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- TEAL 71
A. 25/09,12,15Z
B. AFXXX 1909A IRENE
C. 25/0600Z
D. 24.8N 76.0W
E. 25/0830Z TO 25/15Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT SEVEN -- NOAA 42
A. 25/12Z
B. NOAA2 2009A IRENE
C. 25/08Z
D. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 3-HRLY FIXES,
P-3 AND G-IV MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 231500
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1100 AM EDT TUE 23 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 24/1100Z TO 25/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-084
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 72
A. 24/12Z,18Z
B. AFXXX 1409A IRENE
C. 24/0930Z
D. 22.3N 73.8W
E. 24/1130Z TO 24/18Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 25/00Z
B. NOAA9 1509A IRENE
C. 24/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 25/00Z
B. NOAA2 1609A IRENE
C. 24/20Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 73
A. 25/00Z,06Z
B. AFXXX 1709A IRENE
C. 24/2115Z
D. 23.6N 75.2W
E. 24/2330Z TO 25/06Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 25/12Z
B. NOAA9 1809A IRENE
C. 25/0530Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- TEAL 71
A. 25/09,12,15Z
B. AFXXX 1909A IRENE
C. 25/0600Z
D. 24.8N 76.0W
E. 25/0830Z TO 25/15Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT SEVEN -- NOAA 42
A. 25/12Z
B. NOAA2 2009A IRENE
C. 25/08Z
D. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 3-HRLY FIXES,
P-3 AND G-IV MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
Monday, August 22, 2011
Air Recon Taskings for Irene 8/23-24
000
NOUS42 KNHC 221430 CCA
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT MON 22 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 23/1100Z TO 24/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-083 COR
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 73
A. 23/12Z,18Z
B. AFXXX 0809A IRENE
C. 23/1015Z
D. 20.5N 71.4W
E. 23/1130Z TO 23/18Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 24/00Z
B. NOAA9 0909A IRENE
C. 23/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 24/00Z
B. NOAAX 1009A IRENE
C. 23/2000Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 71
A. 24/00Z,06Z
B. AFXXX 1109A IRENE
C. 23/2145Z
D. 21.2N 73.2W
E. 23/2330Z TO 24/06Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 24/12Z
B. NOAA9 1209A IRENE
C. 24/0530Z
D. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- NOAA 42
A. 24/12Z
B. NOAAX 1309A IRENE
C. 24/08Z
D. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES, P-3 MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 221430 CCA
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT MON 22 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 23/1100Z TO 24/1100Z AUGUST 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-083 COR
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IRENE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 73
A. 23/12Z,18Z
B. AFXXX 0809A IRENE
C. 23/1015Z
D. 20.5N 71.4W
E. 23/1130Z TO 23/18Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 24/00Z
B. NOAA9 0909A IRENE
C. 23/1730Z
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. 24/00Z
B. NOAAX 1009A IRENE
C. 23/2000Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 71
A. 24/00Z,06Z
B. AFXXX 1109A IRENE
C. 23/2145Z
D. 21.2N 73.2W
E. 23/2330Z TO 24/06Z
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 24/12Z
B. NOAA9 1209A IRENE
C. 24/0530Z
D. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT SIX -- NOAA 42
A. 24/12Z
B. NOAAX 1309A IRENE
C. 24/08Z
D. SFC TO 15,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES, P-3 MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS......NEGATIVE/ JWP
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May ALE Hits #4 (8050 & 9025 kHz)
The 8050 Connection:
8050.0 kHz USB has at least three different agencies using it, and probably more. Interoperability? Coincidence?
DKB - - - -- - - US JSOC, Ft. Bragg, NC, sounding
FC8 - - - - - - - FEMA Region 8, Denver, CO, sounding
HUNGRIA2 - Mexican Army, clg HUNGRIA ("Hungary")
PASTOR - - - Mexican Army, wkg CANDELA ("Candle")
The 9025 Connection:
9025 kHz USB is a primary US Air Force SCOPE Command radio system autopatching frequency. It's mostly USAF, but other DoD users come up there, and at least one agency in Mexico also uses it.
000 - - - - - - Unknown US military, clg HIK (Hickam AFB, HI)
460034 - - - Unknown USAF, sounding
523506 - - - USAF KC-135 #62-3506, wkg MCC (McClellan/West Coast, CA)
591480 - - - USAF, unknown a/c, clg self
717 - - - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1717, clg O7SO2R
ADW - -- - - USAF, Andrews AFB, sound and wkg JNR (Puerto Rico)
E31408 - - - USAF E-3B AWACS, calling OFF (Offutt AFB, NE)
GHM - -- - - US military "3-letter net," possible NAOC mission, clg AED (Elmendorf AFB, AK)
HAW - -- - - USAF, Ascension Island, sounding
HIK - - - - - USAF, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - - - - - USAF Salinas, PR, sound and wkg ADW
MCC - - - - - USAF "McClellan," CA, sound and wkg 523506
OFF - - - - - USAF, Offutt AFB, NE, clg E31408
PLA - - - - - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores
R23573 - - - Possible US Air National Guard, clg OFF
8050.0 kHz USB has at least three different agencies using it, and probably more. Interoperability? Coincidence?
DKB - - - -- - - US JSOC, Ft. Bragg, NC, sounding
FC8 - - - - - - - FEMA Region 8, Denver, CO, sounding
HUNGRIA2 - Mexican Army, clg HUNGRIA ("Hungary")
PASTOR - - - Mexican Army, wkg CANDELA ("Candle")
The 9025 Connection:
9025 kHz USB is a primary US Air Force SCOPE Command radio system autopatching frequency. It's mostly USAF, but other DoD users come up there, and at least one agency in Mexico also uses it.
000 - - - - - - Unknown US military, clg HIK (Hickam AFB, HI)
460034 - - - Unknown USAF, sounding
523506 - - - USAF KC-135 #62-3506, wkg MCC (McClellan/West Coast, CA)
591480 - - - USAF, unknown a/c, clg self
717 - - - - - - USCG HC-130, CG 1717, clg O7SO2R
ADW - -- - - USAF, Andrews AFB, sound and wkg JNR (Puerto Rico)
E31408 - - - USAF E-3B AWACS, calling OFF (Offutt AFB, NE)
GHM - -- - - US military "3-letter net," possible NAOC mission, clg AED (Elmendorf AFB, AK)
HAW - -- - - USAF, Ascension Island, sounding
HIK - - - - - USAF, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - - - - - USAF Salinas, PR, sound and wkg ADW
MCC - - - - - USAF "McClellan," CA, sound and wkg 523506
OFF - - - - - USAF, Offutt AFB, NE, clg E31408
PLA - - - - - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores
R23573 - - - Possible US Air National Guard, clg OFF
Monday, May 17, 2010
May ALE Hits #1
US Air Force:
000 - Clg HIK - Unknown USAF
523506 - Wkg MCC - USAF KC-135 #62-3506
ADW - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS Control, Andrews
ADWSPR - Snd - USAF, Andrews SIPRNET gateway
DL0005DAT - Snd - USAF, E-3B AWACS, data
E31408 - Clg OFF - USAF, E-3B AWACS
HAW - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Ascension Island
HIK - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Salinas, PR
JNRSPR - Snd - USAF, Salinas SIPRNET gateway
MCC - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, old "McClellan"
MCCSPR - Snd - USAF, McClellan SIPRNET gateway
OFF - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS, Offutt AFB, NE
OFFSPR - Snd - USAF, Offutt SIPRNET gateway
PLA - Snd - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores
Frequencies: 4721, 5708, 6715, 6721, 8968, 9025, 11181, 11226, 13215, 13242, 15043, 15091, 17976, 18003, 23337
US Civil Air Patrol:
0004AZCAP - Snd - AZ CAP
0004NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0008WICAP - Snd - WI CAP
0011ARCAP - Snd - AR CAP
043MERCAP - Snd - CAP Middle Eastern Region
060PCRCAP - Snd - CAP Pacific Coast Region
0100NDCAP - Snd - ND CAP
0135ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
0140NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0303WACAP - Snd - WA CAP
0708NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0748MOCAP - Snd - MO CAP
100SWRCAP - Snd - CAP - Southwest Region
9101ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
9101T2CAP - Snd - Unknown CAP
Frequencies: 3204, 4477, 5006, 5447, 6773, 6806, 7602, 8012, 9047, 10162, 11402, 12081
MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System):
5QWAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - Clg 9DUAFA, 9KJAFA - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - Snd - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - Snd - US Army MARS, not reversed
OARNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
SEJNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
YXPNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP
WWLNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL
Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5211, 6765, 6800, 7487, 7642, 9106, 11217, 13242, 15094, 17847, 20107, 26812
(Some of these are SHARES, SHAred RESources)
000 - Clg HIK - Unknown USAF
523506 - Wkg MCC - USAF KC-135 #62-3506
ADW - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS Control, Andrews
ADWSPR - Snd - USAF, Andrews SIPRNET gateway
DL0005DAT - Snd - USAF, E-3B AWACS, data
E31408 - Clg OFF - USAF, E-3B AWACS
HAW - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Ascension Island
HIK - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Salinas, PR
JNRSPR - Snd - USAF, Salinas SIPRNET gateway
MCC - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, old "McClellan"
MCCSPR - Snd - USAF, McClellan SIPRNET gateway
OFF - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS, Offutt AFB, NE
OFFSPR - Snd - USAF, Offutt SIPRNET gateway
PLA - Snd - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores
Frequencies: 4721, 5708, 6715, 6721, 8968, 9025, 11181, 11226, 13215, 13242, 15043, 15091, 17976, 18003, 23337
US Civil Air Patrol:
0004AZCAP - Snd - AZ CAP
0004NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0008WICAP - Snd - WI CAP
0011ARCAP - Snd - AR CAP
043MERCAP - Snd - CAP Middle Eastern Region
060PCRCAP - Snd - CAP Pacific Coast Region
0100NDCAP - Snd - ND CAP
0135ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
0140NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0303WACAP - Snd - WA CAP
0708NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0748MOCAP - Snd - MO CAP
100SWRCAP - Snd - CAP - Southwest Region
9101ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
9101T2CAP - Snd - Unknown CAP
Frequencies: 3204, 4477, 5006, 5447, 6773, 6806, 7602, 8012, 9047, 10162, 11402, 12081
MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System):
5QWAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - Clg 9DUAFA, 9KJAFA - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - Snd - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - Snd - US Army MARS, not reversed
OARNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
SEJNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
YXPNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP
WWLNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL
Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5211, 6765, 6800, 7487, 7642, 9106, 11217, 13242, 15094, 17847, 20107, 26812
(Some of these are SHARES, SHAred RESources)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
TEAL Aircraft Now Flying Rick - TCPOD for Mon.
000
NOUS42 KNHC 181430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT SUN 18 OCTOBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 19/1100Z TO 20/1100Z 0CTOBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-143
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK......NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE RICK
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 19/1800Z
B. AFXXX 0120E RICK
C. 19/1200Z
D. 18.1N 111.4W
E. 19/1700Z TO 19/2200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
ANOTHER FIX ON HURRICANE RICK ON 20/1800Z NEAR
20.7N 111.2W
DMG
NOUS42 KNHC 181430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT SUN 18 OCTOBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 19/1100Z TO 20/1100Z 0CTOBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-143
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK......NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE RICK
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 19/1800Z
B. AFXXX 0120E RICK
C. 19/1200Z
D. 18.1N 111.4W
E. 19/1700Z TO 19/2200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
ANOTHER FIX ON HURRICANE RICK ON 20/1800Z NEAR
20.7N 111.2W
DMG
Friday, November 07, 2008
Air Recon Taskings for 11/8-9
Boldface mine - note altitude of NOAA 49 mission!!!!!
--------
000
NOUS42 KNHC 071430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0930 AM EST FRI 07 NOVEMBER 2008
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 08/1100Z TO 09/1100Z NOVEMBER 2008
TCPOD NUMBER.....08-160
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE PALOMA
FLIGHT ONE:(ADDED) NOAA 49 WILL FLY A SURVEILLANCE
RESEARCH MISSION AROUND PALOMA DEPARTING AT 08/0200Z
AND OPERATING BETWEEN 41,000 AND 45,000 FT.
FLIGHT TWO: NOAA 43 WILL FLY A RESEARCH MISSION
IN AND AROUND PALOMA DEPARTING AT 08/1400Z AND
OPERATING AT 12,000 FT.
FLIGHT THREE - TEAL 70
A. 08/1800,09/0000Z
B. AFXXX 0717A PALOMA
C. 08/1415Z
D. 20.3N 80.0W
E. 08/1700Z TO 09/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR - TEAL 71
A. 09/0600,1200Z
B. AFXXX 0817A PALOMA
C. 09/0215Z
D. 21.2N 78.84W
E. 09/0500Z TO 09/1200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
JWP
--------
000
NOUS42 KNHC 071430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0930 AM EST FRI 07 NOVEMBER 2008
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 08/1100Z TO 09/1100Z NOVEMBER 2008
TCPOD NUMBER.....08-160
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE PALOMA
FLIGHT ONE:(ADDED) NOAA 49 WILL FLY A SURVEILLANCE
RESEARCH MISSION AROUND PALOMA DEPARTING AT 08/0200Z
AND OPERATING BETWEEN 41,000 AND 45,000 FT.
FLIGHT TWO: NOAA 43 WILL FLY A RESEARCH MISSION
IN AND AROUND PALOMA DEPARTING AT 08/1400Z AND
OPERATING AT 12,000 FT.
FLIGHT THREE - TEAL 70
A. 08/1800,09/0000Z
B. AFXXX 0717A PALOMA
C. 08/1415Z
D. 20.3N 80.0W
E. 08/1700Z TO 09/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR - TEAL 71
A. 09/0600,1200Z
B. AFXXX 0817A PALOMA
C. 09/0215Z
D. 21.2N 78.84W
E. 09/0500Z TO 09/1200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
JWP
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hurricane Recon Aircraft Working New York
US Air Force (TEALxx) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAAxx) have frequently been heard working New York Radio on the usual MWARA frequencies. Traffic has been mostly position checks, but also occasional information that they were unable to send by satellite.
New York Radio frequencies are:
MWARA:
2887.0
2899.0
2962.0
3016.0
3455.0
5520.0
5550.0
5598.0
5616.0
6577.0
6586.0
6628.0
8825.0
8846.0
8864.0
8906.0
8918.0
11309.0
11330.0
11396.0
13291.0
13297.0
13306.0
13354.0
17907.0
17946.0
Long Distance Operational Control:
8933.0
11342.0
VOLMET Aviation Weather
3885.0
6604.0
10051.0
13270.0
New York Radio frequencies are:
MWARA:
2887.0
2899.0
2962.0
3016.0
3455.0
5520.0
5550.0
5598.0
5616.0
6577.0
6586.0
6628.0
8825.0
8846.0
8864.0
8906.0
8918.0
11309.0
11330.0
11396.0
13291.0
13297.0
13306.0
13354.0
17907.0
17946.0
Long Distance Operational Control:
8933.0
11342.0
VOLMET Aviation Weather
3885.0
6604.0
10051.0
13270.0
Thursday, August 28, 2008
TCPOD For 29 Aug 08
000
NOUS42 KNHC 281430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT THU 28 AUGUST 2008
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 29/1100Z TO 30/1100Z AUGUST 2008
TCPOD NUMBER.....08-089
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 72
A. 29/1800, 30/0000Z
B. AFXXX 1007A GUSTAV
C. 29/1515Z
D. 18.7N 79.9W
E. 29/1700Z TO 30/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 30/0000Z
B. NOAA9 1107A GUSTAV
C. 29/1730Z
D. NA
E. NA
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. RESEARCH
B. NOAA2 1207A GUSTAV
C. 29/2000Z
D. NA
E. 29/2200Z TO 30/0200Z
F. 10,000 TO 14,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 70
A. 30/0600,1200Z
B. AFXXX 1307A GUSTAV
C. 30/0315Z
D. 19.6N 81.7W
E. 30/0500Z TO 30/1200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE
A. RESEARCH
B. NOAA3 1407A GUSTAV
C. 30/0800Z
D. NA
E. 30/1000Z TO 30/1400Z
F. 10,000 TO 14,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES. A
G-IV TAKEOFF FOR 30/1730Z. WP-3 MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
3. REMARKS: G-IV MISSION SCHEDULED FOR 28/1730Z TAKEOFF
CANCELED BY NHC AT 28/1300Z.
11. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 281430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1030 AM EDT THU 28 AUGUST 2008
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 29/1100Z TO 30/1100Z AUGUST 2008
TCPOD NUMBER.....08-089
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 72
A. 29/1800, 30/0000Z
B. AFXXX 1007A GUSTAV
C. 29/1515Z
D. 18.7N 79.9W
E. 29/1700Z TO 30/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO -- NOAA 49
A. 30/0000Z
B. NOAA9 1107A GUSTAV
C. 29/1730Z
D. NA
E. NA
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 42
A. RESEARCH
B. NOAA2 1207A GUSTAV
C. 29/2000Z
D. NA
E. 29/2200Z TO 30/0200Z
F. 10,000 TO 14,000 FT
FLIGHT FOUR -- TEAL 70
A. 30/0600,1200Z
B. AFXXX 1307A GUSTAV
C. 30/0315Z
D. 19.6N 81.7W
E. 30/0500Z TO 30/1200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT FIVE
A. RESEARCH
B. NOAA3 1407A GUSTAV
C. 30/0800Z
D. NA
E. 30/1000Z TO 30/1400Z
F. 10,000 TO 14,000 FT
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES. A
G-IV TAKEOFF FOR 30/1730Z. WP-3 MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS.
3. REMARKS: G-IV MISSION SCHEDULED FOR 28/1730Z TAKEOFF
CANCELED BY NHC AT 28/1300Z.
11. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
JWP
Monday, April 07, 2008
HF-GCS Goes Crazy
For two days now, activity on the US Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System has been far busier than normal. Right now (0110 UTC) 11175.0 kHz USB is going crazy.
The activity resembles the Nightwatch net (a TACAMO airborne CP and supporting units), but there are way too many players. Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) are going out far more frequently than usual.
At 0110, "Aircraft 113" is working "Aircraft 115" for a radio check.
At 0122 FOUL LINE is passing multiple EAMs, and at 0124 he is "standing by for traffic."
Most other players are also using joint tactical callwords, though there is also a unit with a CHARLIE WHISKEY prefix (US Navy) simultaneously patching to Duty Office. Yes, I have QRM here, though they all seem able to hear each other where they are.
Highly experienced military monitor Jeff Haverlah heard one of the "for" format EAMs, sent to something like six units at once. According to Jeff, this hasn't happened in years.
Best guess is an exercise, and a big one. Anyone who knows what's up can e-mail this column at the usual drops.
The activity resembles the Nightwatch net (a TACAMO airborne CP and supporting units), but there are way too many players. Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) are going out far more frequently than usual.
At 0110, "Aircraft 113" is working "Aircraft 115" for a radio check.
At 0122 FOUL LINE is passing multiple EAMs, and at 0124 he is "standing by for traffic."
Most other players are also using joint tactical callwords, though there is also a unit with a CHARLIE WHISKEY prefix (US Navy) simultaneously patching to Duty Office. Yes, I have QRM here, though they all seem able to hear each other where they are.
Highly experienced military monitor Jeff Haverlah heard one of the "for" format EAMs, sent to something like six units at once. According to Jeff, this hasn't happened in years.
Best guess is an exercise, and a big one. Anyone who knows what's up can e-mail this column at the usual drops.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Recon Flights Increase (TCPOD)
995
NOUS42 KNHC 171530 CCA
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EDT FRI 17 AUGUST 2007
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 18/1100Z TO 19/1100Z AUGUST 2007
TCPOD NUMBER.....07-085 CORRECTED DEPARTURE TIMES
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE DEAN
FLIGHT ONE
A. 18/1200,1800Z
B. AFXXX 0604A DEAN
C. 18/1000Z
D. 15.8N 69.0W
E. 18/1100Z TO 18/1800Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO
A. 19/0000, 0600Z
B. AFXXX 0704A DEAN
C. 18/2200Z
D. 16.7N 72.3W
E. 18/2300Z TO 19/0600Z
F. SFC TO 10,000FT
FLIGHT THREE
A. 19/1200Z
B. AFXXX 0804A DEAN
C. 19/0930Z
D. BOUY DROP MISSION--12 BOUYS CNTR NEAR 20N 84W
E. 19/1200Z TO 19/1800Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES. BEGIN 2 A
DAY GIV MISSIONS AT 20/0000Z.
II.PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
WVW
NOUS42 KNHC 171530 CCA
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EDT FRI 17 AUGUST 2007
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 18/1100Z TO 19/1100Z AUGUST 2007
TCPOD NUMBER.....07-085 CORRECTED DEPARTURE TIMES
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE DEAN
FLIGHT ONE
A. 18/1200,1800Z
B. AFXXX 0604A DEAN
C. 18/1000Z
D. 15.8N 69.0W
E. 18/1100Z TO 18/1800Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
FLIGHT TWO
A. 19/0000, 0600Z
B. AFXXX 0704A DEAN
C. 18/2200Z
D. 16.7N 72.3W
E. 18/2300Z TO 19/0600Z
F. SFC TO 10,000FT
FLIGHT THREE
A. 19/1200Z
B. AFXXX 0804A DEAN
C. 19/0930Z
D. BOUY DROP MISSION--12 BOUYS CNTR NEAR 20N 84W
E. 19/1200Z TO 19/1800Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES. BEGIN 2 A
DAY GIV MISSIONS AT 20/0000Z.
II.PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
WVW
Sunday, August 05, 2007
US Military Exercise In Progress - Monitor 11175 USB
Jeff Haverlah is hearing exercise EAMs on 11175 kHz USB, the US Air Force HF-GCS. I just dialed up triple-one and I'm hearing similar, plus the "standing by for traffic" procedure. Larry Van Horn posted similar to his blog a few hours ago.
Callsigns indicate likely US Strategic Command.
Callsigns indicate likely US Strategic Command.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
More Long EAMs
Jeff Haverlah continues to monitor long Emergency Action Message transmissions on the US Air Force High-Frequency Global Communications System.
On July 22, the hour/half hour restoral EAM from McClellan Global consisted of two messages of 52 characters each.
At 1721 UTC, Andrews broadcast the longest EAM yet - 287 characters! It had the distinctive repeating formating and the typical 14-character ending block. Unlike the usual Saturday activity, this was on a Sunday, and not by a Nightwatch player using a tactical callsign.
I wonder how long THAT one took to transmit, in the slow US Air Force drawl.
[UPDATE 03 AUG: Sometime in July, Tom Sevart heard Andrews with 270 characters at 1800.]
On July 22, the hour/half hour restoral EAM from McClellan Global consisted of two messages of 52 characters each.
At 1721 UTC, Andrews broadcast the longest EAM yet - 287 characters! It had the distinctive repeating formating and the typical 14-character ending block. Unlike the usual Saturday activity, this was on a Sunday, and not by a Nightwatch player using a tactical callsign.
I wonder how long THAT one took to transmit, in the slow US Air Force drawl.
[UPDATE 03 AUG: Sometime in July, Tom Sevart heard Andrews with 270 characters at 1800.]
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Long Saturday EAMs Continue in July
As if we needed any further proof that long Emergency Action Messages on UTC Saturdays are nothing remarkable, we got another one in July. Jeff Haverlah again:
You have that right, Jeff.
1823z 14 Jul 07
11175.0 was active at 1758z+/- with unknown HFGCS station (too
weak/"muddy" to id) with a 200-character count ± EAM (M4GSLB maybe; missed the number in the mud but sounded like ? zero zero; and, it was long enough for it) containing distinctive repetitive formatting and apparently ending in the common 14-character ending block. Typical Saturday activity.
You have that right, Jeff.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Log Extract: Long EAMs Are Not Remarkable
As I suspected, previous reports published in our Utility Logs column have indeed shown Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) that were as long as, or longer than, the 174-character one of June 26 that has aroused attention. Recall from my previous blog entry that this EAM has been cited by unknown Internet sources as the longest since the first Persian Gulf War.
It isn't.
This would tend to reinforce the argument made by a writer to Bill Gertz's column, who was quoted in the same post, that long EAMs generated by periodic exercises "should not be considered unusual."
Long EAM Examples:
Jeff Haverlah, a long-time Utility Logs contributor and generally Mr. EAM in this hobby, reported the following on February 17, 2007:
(Emphasis mine, for readability.)
Also from Jeff, this report of March 10:
And, on 26 May, again from Jeff:
And, on June 23 near the beginning of the June 25 period in question, from Jeff:
Conclusion:
It seems significant that all of these long messages appeared at roughly one-month intervals, and on UTC Saturdays. There is a suggestion here of a monthly activity (likely a communications exercise) that generates long EAMs. We can therefore conclude that, while the June 25 activity was noteworthy for call signs, traffic volume, and a special test string, it was very much not noteworthy for EAM length. The writer to the Inside the Ring column appears correct.
It isn't.
This would tend to reinforce the argument made by a writer to Bill Gertz's column, who was quoted in the same post, that long EAMs generated by periodic exercises "should not be considered unusual."
Long EAM Examples:
Jeff Haverlah, a long-time Utility Logs contributor and generally Mr. EAM in this hobby, reported the following on February 17, 2007:
1729z 17 Feb 07
11175.0 was active at 1431z with OFFUTT bcsting a 248-character
EAM (TOXRB7) containing common, repetitive, distinctive formatting,
including the 14-character ending block common to these strings.
11175.0 was active at 1717z with OFFUTT bcsting a 163-character
EAM (TO57UN) containing distinctive (but not apparently repeating)
formatting including the 14-character ending block common to these
strings.
(Emphasis mine, for readability.)
Also from Jeff, this report of March 10:
0039z 11 Mar 07
11175.0 was active at 101722z+/- with OFFUTT (weak with deep
fading) bcsting a 201-character EAM (TOCDIJ) containing distinctive formatting and ending in a common 14-character ending block.
And, on 26 May, again from Jeff:
1555z 26 May 07
11175.0 was active at 1447z with ANDREWS (good levels here)
bcsting a 202-character EAM (IV3PR6) containing distinctive repetitive formatting (but did not end in the 14-character ending block common to these strings.) Activity common to utc Saturday's (1447z 28 Apr 07 245-character IVLZ7S) for example.) All Andrews xmsns are keying off with a soft pop/thump.
And, on June 23 near the beginning of the June 25 period in question, from Jeff:
1434z 23 Jun 07
8992.0 was active at 1418z with ANDREWS (good/fair levels here)
bcsting a 121-character EAM (IVSAD2) containing distinctive, repetitive formatting.
Conclusion:
It seems significant that all of these long messages appeared at roughly one-month intervals, and on UTC Saturdays. There is a suggestion here of a monthly activity (likely a communications exercise) that generates long EAMs. We can therefore conclude that, while the June 25 activity was noteworthy for call signs, traffic volume, and a special test string, it was very much not noteworthy for EAM length. The writer to the Inside the Ring column appears correct.
What Happened on June 26?
Utility World is about radio waves, not conspiracies or speculation on whatever dire plots the world's various governments might be up to. Therefore, its only place is to report on communications monitoring, and let readers draw their own conclusions, if any are to be drawn.
It appeared to start on the US Air Force High-Frequency Global Communications System (HF-GCS). Nothing is particularly remarkable about the stations that appear at various intervals with rotating tactical call signs of 2 or 3 syllables that change daily. These are several multi-service air-ground activities relating to command control, often involving the US Strategic Command.
What originally got the attention of people who make a hobby out of logging such things was a sudden enormous increase in the number and length of Emergency Action Messages (EAMs). Despite their important-sounding name, and high traffic priority, these are actually routine, encrypted broadcasts of updated instructions (or lack thereof) for US military assets worldwide. They use frequencies pretty much from DC to daylight. Presumably, in a real national emergency, the content would be very very much less routine.
At 0100 UTC on June 26, Jeff Haverlah logged CORN SNOW broadcasting two EAMs simulcast on the HF-GCS frequencies of 4725, 8992, and 11175 kHz USB. Two-letter tactical calls beginning in CORN are believed to be linked with the Nightwatch net, a Stratcomm airborne command post mission using multiple aircraft and ground stations. Past loggings include, but are not limited to, CORN BEEF, CORN OIL, and CORN STOCK.
Meanwhile, John, KC2HMZ, noted this net becoming very active on 11175, with two longer EAMs than the ones at 0100, a standby for traffic, and generally more net chatter than you usually get from these units. He heard the callsign as CORN ROW. Some new players appeared, using standard NATO trigraph callsigns, a type of tactical ID used by US Navy in some operations.
Here's where it gets interesting. At 0125, Jeff notes that 7703.0 kHz USB suddenly lit up with FOXTROT ZERO SIERRA (a Navy trigraph) with four different message broadcasts. 3 of these were EAMs, and the fourth was in a very rare format mostly heard in the runup to "Y2K" (remember that one?). This is a 30-character string beginning in 888800.
Jeff's guess on the content of this string is as follows:
This took until 0135, at which time KILO TWO YANKEE came up to repeat the three EAMs (not the other string).
As if this traffic was not interesting enough to people who follow such things, an unknown station pretty much simultaneously (around 0120) broadcast a remarkably long 174-character EAM on 15016 kHz, another HF-GCS frequency.
As mentioned, we deal in radio waves. However, other people, who speculate about other things, have been burning up the Internet with ideas regarding any possible meaning of an EAM of such an extreme length. A typical report appeared July 7th, in an online Pentagon affairs column named Inside the Ring, by Bill Gertz:
This is quite a startling claim, but I'm not sure about it. I'll have to research my old logs. (See, this is one reason we publish these...) I remember some other long EAMs, but how long will have to be checked out. This is something Utility World is good at, so I'll do it. [UPDATE 17/0610 UTC: There is indeed a monthly activity that has consistently generated long, or longer, EAMs in 2007.]
In any event, the July 13 column contains further interesting speculation:
Either of these two guesses would seem reasonable, were we to even attempt speculation concerning military affairs in the scariest world situation since the Cold War. Meanwhile, back in the Utility World, the combination of the long EAM with the rare Navy format simply remains an interesting, unexplained radio event.
It appeared to start on the US Air Force High-Frequency Global Communications System (HF-GCS). Nothing is particularly remarkable about the stations that appear at various intervals with rotating tactical call signs of 2 or 3 syllables that change daily. These are several multi-service air-ground activities relating to command control, often involving the US Strategic Command.
What originally got the attention of people who make a hobby out of logging such things was a sudden enormous increase in the number and length of Emergency Action Messages (EAMs). Despite their important-sounding name, and high traffic priority, these are actually routine, encrypted broadcasts of updated instructions (or lack thereof) for US military assets worldwide. They use frequencies pretty much from DC to daylight. Presumably, in a real national emergency, the content would be very very much less routine.
At 0100 UTC on June 26, Jeff Haverlah logged CORN SNOW broadcasting two EAMs simulcast on the HF-GCS frequencies of 4725, 8992, and 11175 kHz USB. Two-letter tactical calls beginning in CORN are believed to be linked with the Nightwatch net, a Stratcomm airborne command post mission using multiple aircraft and ground stations. Past loggings include, but are not limited to, CORN BEEF, CORN OIL, and CORN STOCK.
Meanwhile, John, KC2HMZ, noted this net becoming very active on 11175, with two longer EAMs than the ones at 0100, a standby for traffic, and generally more net chatter than you usually get from these units. He heard the callsign as CORN ROW. Some new players appeared, using standard NATO trigraph callsigns, a type of tactical ID used by US Navy in some operations.
Here's where it gets interesting. At 0125, Jeff notes that 7703.0 kHz USB suddenly lit up with FOXTROT ZERO SIERRA (a Navy trigraph) with four different message broadcasts. 3 of these were EAMs, and the fourth was in a very rare format mostly heard in the runup to "Y2K" (remember that one?). This is a 30-character string beginning in 888800.
Jeff's guess on the content of this string is as follows:
888800 25[india]6[zero][zero]AAE6GG[zero][zero]NNXXZZ8886
888800 25I600AAE6GG00NNXXZZ8886
I suspect that 25[india]600 is actually 251600, and I further
suspect that 1600z on 25 UTC was the start of this current event on HF
(12 Noon US Eeastern Time).
This took until 0135, at which time KILO TWO YANKEE came up to repeat the three EAMs (not the other string).
As if this traffic was not interesting enough to people who follow such things, an unknown station pretty much simultaneously (around 0120) broadcast a remarkably long 174-character EAM on 15016 kHz, another HF-GCS frequency.
As mentioned, we deal in radio waves. However, other people, who speculate about other things, have been burning up the Internet with ideas regarding any possible meaning of an EAM of such an extreme length. A typical report appeared July 7th, in an online Pentagon affairs column named Inside the Ring, by Bill Gertz:
The messages sent June 26 included 174 characters, much longer than normal 30-character messages, and amateur radio monitors say they have not seen the size of this message since the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
This is quite a startling claim, but I'm not sure about it. I'll have to research my old logs. (See, this is one reason we publish these...) I remember some other long EAMs, but how long will have to be checked out. This is something Utility World is good at, so I'll do it. [UPDATE 17/0610 UTC: There is indeed a monthly activity that has consistently generated long, or longer, EAMs in 2007.]
In any event, the July 13 column contains further interesting speculation:
Many who wrote suspected that the messages may have something to do with military plans for Iran and the Persian Gulf region, where three U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups are stationed.
One reader said the June 26 message traffic on Air Force Global High Frequency System networks to bases around the world was part of a major Joint Chiefs of Staff strategic "connectivity exercise" code-named Polo Hat.
... Exercises in the past have generated messages that are up to 150 characters, so the recent ones that had 174 characters or more should not be considered unusual.
Either of these two guesses would seem reasonable, were we to even attempt speculation concerning military affairs in the scariest world situation since the Cold War. Meanwhile, back in the Utility World, the combination of the long EAM with the rare Navy format simply remains an interesting, unexplained radio event.
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