Gold Codes
Encyclopedia
The Gold Codes are the nuclear launch codes that are purportedly provided to the President of the United States of America in his role as Commander in Chief. Prepared by the National Security Agency
, the code sequence is printed on a plastic card, nicknamed "the biscuit", which is similar to a credit card, that the President carries on his person. The concept behind the codes is that they permit the President to positively identify himself as the commander-in-chief and thereby authenticate a launch order to the National Military Command Center
. Should a launch situation arise, the codes would be transmitted to the NMCC.
The communication must occur via a special secure channel. Even then, the two-man rule
applies. The National Command Authority
comprising the President and Secretary of Defense must jointly issue the order to use nuclear weapons to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The order would then be transmitted over a tan-yellow phone, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Alerting Network, otherwise known as the "Gold Phone", that directly links the NMCC with United States Strategic Command
Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base
in Nebraska.
In the event the President decides to order a nuclear strike, he would then have to transmit not only the codes but also the "Attack Options" which are the specific orders for attacks on specific targets. The Attack Options are contained in the Single Integrated Operation Plan and include Major Attack Options (MAOs), Selected Attack Options (SAOs), and Limited Attack Options (LAOs). The SIOP, which is a thick binder, is one of the documents contained in the President's Emergency Satchel (Nuclear Football
). Others include plans for continuity of government, and letters the president signs delegating authority to the Vice President should that need to happen. The satchel also includes a secure satellite phone and is always near the President, carried by a uniformed, armed military officer of the O-4 pay grade (Major in the USA, USAF, USMC and Lieutenant Commander in the USN and USCG).
All US nuclear weapons are subject to the same stringent command and control including land based ICBM
s, nuclear weapons carried by B-52 and B-2 aircraft, and Trident missiles carried by US Navy submarines.
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
, the code sequence is printed on a plastic card, nicknamed "the biscuit", which is similar to a credit card, that the President carries on his person. The concept behind the codes is that they permit the President to positively identify himself as the commander-in-chief and thereby authenticate a launch order to the National Military Command Center
National Military Command Center
Located in the Pentagon, the National Military Command Center houses the logistical and communications center for the National Command Authority of the United States of America. The facility, which is composed of several war rooms, is the principal command and control center of the Department of...
. Should a launch situation arise, the codes would be transmitted to the NMCC.
The communication must occur via a special secure channel. Even then, the two-man rule
Two-man rule
The two-man rule is a control mechanism designed to achieve a high level of security for especially critical material or operations. Under this rule all access and actions requires the presence of two authorized people at all times.-Nuclear weapons:...
applies. The National Command Authority
National Command Authority
National Command Authority is a term used by the Department of Defense of the United States of America to refer to the ultimate lawful source of military orders. The NCA comprises the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense jointly, or their duly deputized successors, i.e...
comprising the President and Secretary of Defense must jointly issue the order to use nuclear weapons to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The order would then be transmitted over a tan-yellow phone, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Alerting Network, otherwise known as the "Gold Phone", that directly links the NMCC with United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
in Nebraska.
In the event the President decides to order a nuclear strike, he would then have to transmit not only the codes but also the "Attack Options" which are the specific orders for attacks on specific targets. The Attack Options are contained in the Single Integrated Operation Plan and include Major Attack Options (MAOs), Selected Attack Options (SAOs), and Limited Attack Options (LAOs). The SIOP, which is a thick binder, is one of the documents contained in the President's Emergency Satchel (Nuclear Football
Nuclear Football
The nuclear football is a briefcase, the contents of which are to be used by the President of the United States of America to authorize a nuclear attack while away from fixed command centers, such as the White House Situation Room...
). Others include plans for continuity of government, and letters the president signs delegating authority to the Vice President should that need to happen. The satchel also includes a secure satellite phone and is always near the President, carried by a uniformed, armed military officer of the O-4 pay grade (Major in the USA, USAF, USMC and Lieutenant Commander in the USN and USCG).
All US nuclear weapons are subject to the same stringent command and control including land based ICBM
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
s, nuclear weapons carried by B-52 and B-2 aircraft, and Trident missiles carried by US Navy submarines.