Air Force One Flight Path - Love Field, Dallas - Andrews AFB, Md. 11/22/63
Air Force One Radio Room - circa 1963.
Air Force One Radio Transmission Transcript
KELLY NOTES: THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED AND REVISED WITH THE ADDITION OF THE LATEST AUDIO TAPE FROM GEN. CLIFTON/RAAB COLLECTION. 1/31/2012 -
[Transcribed by William Kelly Any corrections or comments bkjfk3@yahoo.com]
Last Update Oct. 30, 2010
TRANSCRIPT - AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS – November 22, 1963.
Listen to the audio version at Mary Ferrell:
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Audio_-_Other
This was previously posted:
http://jfkcountercoup.blogspot.com/2010/10/air-force-one-radio-tranmissions.html
Name/Call Sign - Code Identification Key
SAM 26000 - Two Six Thousand - The Presidential aircraft, when the President is not aboard.
Air Force One – AF1 - The Presidential aircraft, when the President is aboard.
Capt. James Swindal, pilot (AKA Tiger)
Master Sgt. John C Trimble and Joseph Ayres, radio operators.
SAM 86972 – (AKA 972) The State Department aircraft carrying the Press Secretary Salinger (Wayside), Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Agriculture Orville Freeman and other Cabinet members and Administration officials. When the assassination occurred, this aircraft was enroute from Hawaii to Japan; subsequent to the assassination, the aircraft returned to Hawaii to refuel, and then flew directly from Hickam AFB in Hawaii to Andrews AFB near Washington DC.
Andrews - Andrews Air Force Base (Md/DC). Airman Gilmore answers for Andrews AFB throughout the tape and appears to be the central player attempting to facilitate all patches.
Tanker - Major Michael Cook - Also at Andrews
Air Force Command Post – Sgt. Phillips. Major Benson
SAM Command Post - Special Air Mission, SAC Offut AFB, Omaha, Nebraska Col. Hornbuckle.
National Military Command Post – Pentagon, Washington DC
Crown – White House (aka Front Office)
Situation Room (Basement at Crown) – Oliver Hallett, USN/NSA McGeorge Bundy
Carswell – Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas.
Dallas – (Love Field, Dallas, Texas)
Hic Cup – Hickam Field, Hawaii.
CINCPAC – Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command HQ.
Tokyo – Destination of Cabinet Plane (86972)
Valley – The Elms, LBJ DC Residence.
Liberty – Sideband Radio Relay Station – Collins Radio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Wayside – Pierre Salinger, aboard 86970
Dagger – Rufus Youngblood, USSS
Digest – Roy Kellerman, USSS (Aboard AF1)
Duplex – Jerry Behn
Wing - Gen. McHugh. President's personal physician.
Watchman – Gen. Chester Clifton (Aboard AF1)
Slugger – Capt. Cecil Stoughton
Stranger – Major H. R. Patterson (White House Communications Agency WHCA)
Tanker – Air Force Major Michael Cook (Andrews)
Tiger – Col. Swindal, pilot, AF1.
Warrior – Malcolm Kilduff
Winner – Andrew Hatcher. Aka Andy. At Crown.
Witness – Capt. Tazewell Shepard (USN)
Volunteer – LBJ
Victoria – Lady Bird
Lancer - JFK
Charcoal - Present location of the President
Castle - Presiden't Naval Aid Taz Shephard
Lace – Mrs. Jackie Kennedy
Witness - Unidentified
Winner - Unidentified
Race - Unidentified
Tillerman - Unidentified
Sing Sing – Unidentified
Dean Rusk – Secretary of State (aboard 86972)
George Ball – Undersecretry of State
McGeorge Bundy – National Security Advisor to the President
Bromley Smith – Executive Secretary, National Security Council
Murray Jackson – State Department
Malcolm Kilduff – Assistant Press Secretary
Dr. John Walsh - D.C. Jackie Kennedy’s physician.
Walter Jenkins – LBJ’s Deputy.
Colonel Toomey – AF1
Col. Holland - AF1
Admiral Burkley – JFK’s private physician.
General Heaton – Surgeon General of the Army
Mrs. Kennedy (Massachusetts)
Mrs. J. B. Connally (Dallas)
Governor John Connally – Parkland Hospital
Scott - Radio Operator
Airman Stanz - Radio Operator
Newport Jerry – Radio Operator
Roy - Radio Operator
Weather Officer (at AF Command Post)
On the block – Time of plane arrival at destination.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival.
Zulu – Greenwich Mean Time – (Military 24 hour time)
AP - Associated Press (aka “the ticker”)
AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS – November 22, 1963.
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Audio_-_Other
[Transcribed by William Kelly- Any corrections or comments bkjfk3@yahoo.com]
Reel 1, Side One
Announcer’s Introduction:
The following recording has been reproduced from ground recorded non-high fidelity tape to re-cord record patch communications of Air Force One also includes 86972 – the Cabinet plane carrying Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Presidential Secretary Pierre Salinger and other dignitaries enroute between Honolulu and Japan. The following information relative to presidential aircraft radio call signs is given for clarification due to interchangeable use.
Air Force One and Angel are used when the President is aboard the aircraft, Air Force Two-Six-Thousand (26000) is used at all other times.
This tape has been edited and condensed to contain only pertinent information relative to events during 22nd of November, 1963. Only material available from radio circuits used is available.
Reel 1, Side 1 (30:55) - Patch 1
- 86972 [Cabinet plane], Andrews. You are readable at this time, sir. Also be advised Two-Six-Thousand (26000 – Air Force One) coming up on this frequency shortly. Request that you contact Andrews on One-Five, Sir.
- Okay, One-Five. Relay. Will be off Honolulu at seventeen oh-three (1703), estimated approximate windshift, 2-1-4-0-2-2.
- 86972, Roger, copy. Thank you much.
- Break, Command Post, Air Force One, 1725. Carswell.
- Air Force One, understand. Airborne. One, seven, two, five (1725) Zulu. Do you have an ETA? Over.
- Estimated 40 minutes, enroute. I’ll show a log time in a couple of minutes.
- Roger, Air Force One. Command Post listening. Out.
- Pickup 1700 Zulu, weather please.
- Standby One, I have weather officer I can give it to you know, if you are ready to copy. Over.
- Okay, go ahead.
- 1700 Zulu weather, 6000 broken, 15 miles plus visibility, temperature – five-seven, ramp temperature, six-two, wind southwest ten, altimeter setting two-niner, decemil eight-seven. I just talked with the Ramp (?) and they indicate it is clearing rather rapidly there.
- Roger. Copy, thank you, out.
- Weather out.
Reel One, Side One - Patch 2
- Andrews, Air Force One, the Command Post List.
- Andrews, Air Force One, standby.
- Command Post altimeter.
- This is Airman Gilmore, I have Air Force One for a patch.
- Standby please.
- Air Force One, Air Force Command Post on the line, go ahead sir.
- Roger, Command Post, Air Force One, our estimated time on the block, Dallas will be One, Seven, Four, Zero….( 1740)…
- Roger. I understand. Seventeen forty on the block.
- Roger, Out.
Reel One, Side One – Patch 3
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Roger, Roger Command Post, please.
- Standby sir.
- Command Post.
- I have Air Force One for a patch.
- Bring him up.
- Standby.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Command Post on the line, give them a call, sir.
- Roger, Command Post.
- Air Force One on the ground 1738 Zulu.
- Air Force One, understand. On the ground, seventeen thirty eight Zulu. Command Post listening.
- Air Force One.
Reel 1 Side One – Patch 4
(Unintelligeable)...static.
- Air Force One?
- Hello? Liberty!...Liberty?
- Roger, I have White House Situation Room, Sam 86972,....Over.
- (Static) ... signal...unintelligable…..
- 86972 do you read me? Over.
- White House?
- White House on.
- Standby.
- White House, this is SAM 86972. How do you read? Over.
- 86972, I read you loud and clear, loud and clear.
- Roger, standby One, please, we have another phone patch going on with Sing Sing, but we do have traffic for you, so hold on for a moment please.
- Roger, Roger 86972.
Reel 1 Side One – Patch 5 (6:30)
- White House, Situation Room, do you read me?
- White House, White House, this is Wayside, do you read me?
- This is White House. I read you loud and clear Wayside. Over.
- Can you give me the latest situation on President? Over.
- You want the Situation Room?
- Repeat that...
- This is Crown, This is Crown. Do you want Situation Room?
- I want the Situation Room That’s affirmative. Roger.
- Stand by Please.
- Wayside, Wayside, this is Crown. Situation Room is on. Go ahead.
- Situation Room. This is Waysdie, do you read me? Over.
- This is the Situation Room. I read you. Go ahead.
- Give me all available information on President. Over.
- All information on President follows. Ah, …He and Governor Connally were hit in the car in which they were riding. We do not know how…..no information. Mister Bromley Smith is back here in the Situation Room now. We are getting our information over the tickers. Over.
- That is affirmative. That is affirmative. Please keep in mind and be advised that this is the plane on which the cabinet is on the way to Japan. Those heading to Honolulu are turning around and will be there in about two hours.
- I understand. Those heading to Japan are turning around and heading to Honolulu and will be back there in two hours. Is that correct? Over.
- That’s Affirmative. Affirmative. Will need information to decide whether some of this party should go directly to Dallas.
- This is Situation Room. Say again your last please?
- Will need to be advised on whether to determine some members of this party should go directly to Dallas? Over.
- Roger, you wish information on whether some members of that party should go to Dallas.
- Affirmative.Affirmative.
- Do you have anything else, Wayside?
- Any information you can give me as quickly as possible.
- The Associated Press has just come out with a bulletin that the President hit in the head. That just came in. Over.
- Roger. Will get any new information to you.
- Where are you Wayside?
- Wayside is off the line. This is the radio operator. We are returning to Honolulu and should be back in Honolulu in about two hours. Will be in the air for about two hours and you can contact us on the ground there later.
- I understand. This is…..Hold on the line there Wayside, we have some more information coming up.
- Ah, Waysside, Wayside, this is Situation Room. I read from the AP bulletin. Kennedy apparently shot in head, fell face down on the backseat of his car. Blood was on his head. Mrs. Kennedy cried “Oh no,” and tried to hold up his head. There was blood on his face and forehead. The President and Governor were rushed to Parkland Hospital near the Dallas Trade Mart where Kennedy was to have made a speech. Read that? Over.
- I read that over.
- This is Situation Room. I have nothing further for you now. I will contact you if we get more.
- Wayside, Roger out.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 6
- 26000, Andrews, I have the White House.
- Okay, thank you.
- And I want to keep this frequency open.
- The frequency has been taken …
- …give ….a copy
- Roger.
- 86972 is good and readable. I have a party on that wants to talk to you. Stand by.
- Standing by.
- Hello? What is your name again?
- Jackson.
- Mister Jackson?
- Yes.
- Okay. Hold on line one.
- 86972, 86972 I have a Mister Jackson, a Mister Jackson on. Will you give him a call, please?
- Mister Jackson, this is SAM 86972.
- I read you very well 72. I would like to talk to Colonel Toomey or Colonel Holland please.
- Okay. Colonel Toomey is coming on right now,
- Roger. This is Colonel Toomey. Go ahead. (11:35)
- Colonel Toomey, this is Murray Jackson. The President of the United States has been shot and seriously wounded in Dallas, Texas. The President of the United States, John F. Kennedy has been shot and seriously wounded in Dallas, Texas. Governor Connally was also shot at the same time. Would you please get the message to Secretary of State Rusk, and I will stand by. Over.
- Roger, Murray. We have already received the news. We have the UPI on. We have turned around. We are returning to Hawaii. We are estimating Hawaii in one hour and twenty minutes. We will be on the ground in Hawaii in one hour and twenty minutes and will be returning to Washington or Dallas. We have another airline alerted to take part of the party to Dallas, and we are returning to Washington.
- Thank you very much Colonel Toomey. I will relay that information to Mr. Ball right away. Over and out.
- Okay, the secretary has talked with his office in Washington, I believe and also Pierre Salinger has been in contact with the White House from the aircraft. Over.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 7
- 26000, Andrews. Go ahead sir.
- Loud and clear. A signal check please.
- 26000, I read you loud and clear, here also, sir. Stand by on this frequency.
- Right. Thank you.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 8
- Andrews sideband. Airman Gilmore.
- Roger. Are you in contact with the party coming back from Tokyo? Go ahead.
- Yes sir. We’re going through Liberty airwaves for that aircraft.
- Roger, can you connect me with Wayside?
- Standby One Six.
- Sir?
- Yes Sir?
- There’s Mister Jackson running a patch to that aircraft at this time, would you like to listen in or would you like me to break the patch sir?
- Ah, could I wait please?
- Yes, you can standby. You’re number two.
- 86972, Andrews.
- 86972.
- Roger, standby. I have another one.
- Who is this sir?
- This is the White House.
- Okay, standby please.
- 86972, 86972, Andrews, I have Crown on, will you give them a call please?
- This is 86972, go ahead.
- This is Crown, we wish a phone patch to Wayside.
- Roger, standby for Wayside.
- Roger, go ahead please.
- Wayside? Wayside? This is Stranger. Do you read me? Over.
- This is Wayside. Go ahead.
- Kilduff has asked that all cabinet members return to Washington immediately. Over.
- We are enroute to Honolulu, where we have ah….Washington. Over….Situation…depart to go to Dallas. ……
- Roger, Roger, we do not have any firm….as to go…..Dallas….Wayside…..Standby for Situation Room.
- Go ahead Wayside.
- Wayside, this is Situation Room. I read you the latest bulletin. President Kennedy has been given blood transfusion today at Parkland Hospital in an effort to save his life after he and Governor John Connally of Texas were shot in an assassination attempt. Over the TV we have the information that the governor has been moved to the operating room. The president is still in the emergency room at Parkland Hospital....Do you read me so far? Over.
-I read you loud and clear.
- Wayside. This is Situation Room. Are you getting the press coverage or do you want us to continue to relay it to you? Over.
- (garbled)….keep informed. Over. (15:18)
- This is Situation Room. Roger. New subject. We will have all information for you on whether to proceed to Dallas by the time you land at Honolulu. Over.
- That’s an affirmative ……Secretary of State….Over.
- This is Situation Room. Roger. Will do. Get determination on whether Secretary should also go to Dallas.
- Wayside. Out.
- This is Situation Room. Out
Reel 1 - Side One - Serial Patch 9
-86972. 86972.
- 86972. Andrews. I have a party that would like to talk to Wayside. Will you give them a call?
- Wayside. The party is on the line now.
- 86972, I have a party that would like to talk to Wayside.
- Wayside is coming on now.
- All right, fine there’s no rush. I’ll just talk to you. This is the Situation Room. We’ll standby. We are looking for confirmation of something. Standby for a moment. We are getting confirmation now. Please standby. We are getting confirmation now. Please stay on the line. This is Situation Room standing by. I read you loud and clear. Nothing further for you yet.
- Ah, Wayside. This is Situation Room. We have conflicting reports now. We have no confirmation yet. We will call you again. I have relayed your intentions and current position to the Front Office. Your office has the word. We will call you again when we get confirmation. Over.
- This is Wayside. Out.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 10.
- Andrews, 26000. Radio Check.
- 26000 (Two Six Thousand), Andrews, loud and clear.
- [Third voice] 26000, Liberty, loud and clear. Will you try to notify if you close down for good? Go ahead.
- Roger. Will do.
- Roger, Liberty.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 11
- Andrews. Sideband. Airman Gilmore.
- Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson at State again. Can you get me Seven Two again?
- Could you say again, sir, you are very, very week.
- This is Murray Jackson at the State Department.
- Yes sir?
- I talked with Seven Two a little while ago. Can you get me Seven Two on a single sideband again?
- Mister Jackson, be advised that Seven Two is in a patch with the Situation Room at the present time sir. If you wish to standby.
- That’s all right. They’re talking to them now?
- Yes sir. They are in a patch at the present time.
- All right, very good. Can you listen in on this?
- Ah, not from this console, no sir.
- Well, what we want to tell the plane is that Under Secretary Ball requests that the Secretary and all the passengers return directly to Washington instead of going to Dallas.
- Yes sir, I believe they have received that message sir.
- Very good. Thank you.
- Thank you very much sir.
- Oh, hello?
- Yes sir?
- One other thing. The Secretary is supposed to call Mrs. Ball when he gets on the ground in Honolulu.
- Okay sir, I’ll relay that as soon as possible.
- Thank you very much.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 12
- Andrews sideband, Airman Gilmore.
- Airman Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson again at the State Department.
- Yes sir?
- The message I just gave you about Mr. Ball wanting the Secretary and all of the passengers of the plane to return directly to Washington has now been reconfirmed by McGeorge Bundy. He has called and also said that the plane and all its passengers should return immediately to Washington, rather than Dallas.
-Standby
- Standby.
- Allright.
- 86972. 86972. Andrews.
- Andrews. Loud and clear. You have Mister Jackson on the line. Will you give him a call sir?
- Mister Jackson, 86972. Go ahead sir.
- I have a message from Undersecretary Ball and from McGeorge Bundy at the White House. They request that the Secretary of State and ALL passengers on the aircraft return to Washington immediately. Over.
- Roger. The message is from Undersecretary Ball and Mr. Bundy advised that the Secretary of State and ALL passengers return to Washington immediately. Over.
- That is correct. Over and out.
- Okay. Thank you.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 13
- Start again please, the party is on.
- Be advised there’s another patch from Wayside. Do you with to break Command Post?
- Yea, break it.
- Yes sir.
- 86972, 86972, Andrews.
- 972. Go ahead.
- Roger sir, I have Crown on. Will you give him a call sir?
- Crown. Go ahead.
- This is Situation Room. Relay following to Wayside. We have report quoting Mr. Kilduff in Dallas that the President is dead. That he died about 35 minutes ago. Do you have that? Over.
- The President is dead. Is that correct? (22:43)
- That is correct. That is correct. New subject. Front Office desires plane return Washington with no stop Dallas. Over.
- Wayside, copy. All okay. We return direct to Washington without stopping in Dallas.
- This is Situation Room, out.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 14
- Andrews, give me the Situation Room please.
- 972 Andrews, standby, one sir.
- Crown on.
- Situation Room please.
- (phone ringing) Yea?
- Is this the Situation Room?
- Yes.
- I have 972 on sideband for another patch sir.
- It’s 972 again.
- This is Situation Room.
- Standby sir.
- 972, I read you.
- This is Situation Room. Over.
- Situation Room, 972. Wayside would like to know the whereabouts of the Vice President. Over.
- Yes (Background conversation) …Vice President is in Dallas. …
- Ah, Wayside, from Situation Room. The Vice President is in the hospital building, Parkland Hospital, in Dallas. He is not injured. I repeat, not injured.
- I copy. I will call you right back.
- Right.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch #15
- Andrews, 26000. Standby to take off.
- 26000.
- Andrews, 972, Command Central….
- Roger…..Command Post.
- I have 972 for a patch.
- All right. Go ahead.
- 86972, Andrews, Command time, go ahead sir.
- SAM Command, 86972, and we are returning directly to Washington, as latest instructions are to return direct to Washington from Hic Cup. Hic Cup is working up a flight plan and as quickly as we can get the enroute time and on the ground time, we will give you an ETA Washington.
- Roger, Roger 72. Can you give me your present ETA?
- In about 45 minutes was the last one that I heard. It should be about twenty-thirty Zulu...
- Zulu over.
- Roger, Roger. As far as you know right now you’re coming directly to Washington? Is that affirmed?
- That is correct. Over.
- Roger 72. Give us any changes that you have sir.
- Okay, will do.
- 26000. Andrews.
- Loud and clear.
- Roger, you are both loud and clear.
-I hear you both loud and clear.
- 26000, do you copy my teletype?
- 26000 is…
- Okay. He’s too busy over there.
- Right.
- You might want to check with him to make sure that he’s getting through.
-Okay, standby.
- 26000. Andrews, coming up.
- 26000, check please.
- 26000 Andrews. Loud and clear.
-26000 Andrews. Loud and clear.
- We’ll be moving out pretty shortly.
- 86972. Standby.
- 972 go ahead sir.
- Okay, we’re coming pretty close to Honolulu landing ah. I don’t know if we’ll be able to or not but I’m going to or not but I’m going to try to keep this equipment up, ah, but I’m not certain I’ll be able to do it. Understand that thirteen is pretty good. ….Is that correct?
- This is Andrews. That is affirmed. 26000 is now getting ready to take off. He’s on One Three. If you standby, One, I’ll confer with Liberty and see what frequency, in case you do drop out, what frequency we’ll have standing up on waiting for your call.
- Okay, do that. Get them all set up. I might not be able to keep it open.
- Roger. Standby One.
- Okay, Liberty? Yea, we got One Three and One Five up right now, besides going through you. I don’t know if One Three is going to be tied up or not. And ah, what frequencies do you think you can have set up in case he drops out on so you he’ll know what frequencies we’re listening on?
- I’ll be on One Eight, One Five and One Three. And we can hold on One Eight for a while because we got Newport Jerry up there.
- Right. Do you have another one, a little bit lower maybe?
- We could drop down from eighteen to One Five to thirteen.
- How about Tripple One?
- Ah, on the sideband.
- Okay, I’ll tell him we’ll be on eighteen, thirteen, One Five and Triple One, all uppers, right?
- All right.
- Except this one, we’re on lower.
- Go ahead.
- Okay.
- 86972, Andrews.
- Roger, Andrews is going to be standing by and Liberty on Triple One upper, Triple One Seven Six upper, One Five Zero One One upper, One Five Zero One One upper, One Three Two Zero Seven upper and One three one seven, lower.
- Okay, very good. Out
- Roger
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 16
-86972 Go ahead.
- Air Force Command Post, this is mission 139, mission One, Three, Niner, arriving Honolul Two Two diagonal, Two Six, Zulu, TV, Two One five Zulu for Andrews, over.
- 86972, Roger, copy. Standing by sir.
- Okay, I’ll be on this frequency and I’ll advise you when I leave it.
- Roger sir.
Reel 1 Side One - Patch 17
- 26000
- Give me Crown please.
- Just a minute.
- Crown.
- 26000 for a patch.
- Roger.
- Crown on. Go ahead.
- Roger, Crown, 26000, will you get a patch for…..
- Roger, stand by.
- 26000. Duplex is on, go ahead.
-Standby for One.
- Hello?
- Okay… Go ahead……..
END Reel 1, Side 1 (30:55)
Air Force One Radio Transmissions
Reel 1 Side Two – (30:57) - Patch 1
- Duplex - Okay, go ahead.
- We are waiting for the swearing in at the plane before take-off.
- Of, the….That’s Volunteer?
- Roger.
- Say again, Roy, say again.
- We are awaiting for a judge to appear for a swearing in.
- That’s for Volunteer, is that right?
- Yes. We are having it done before takeoff.
- That’s an affirmative. Do you have any idea yet what Race wants to do and what Volunteer wants to do on their arrival here?
- No. But I will call you back, we have 208….15 flights into Andrews. We have a full plane with at least 40.
- Okay, go ahead.
- I’ll have to call you again as to body however, I’m sure the Volunteer’s party….and so forth… we will be there with several others….
- All right, let me know what Volunteer wants to do. If they want to come into Crown by helicopter?
- Roger, I’ll call you again.
- Okay.
Reel 1 Side 2 – Patch 2.
- 26000, Andrews
- Okay, go ahead.
- …give them a call.
- Go ahead.
- Roger.
- Air Force Command Post.
- Can you give me Estimated Time of Departure from Dallas?
- From Dallas? Go ahead.
- Would you repeat your estimated time of departure from Dallas?
- Roger. It could be estimate in the next ten minutes. Go ahead.
- Roger. Could you give me a call when you’re airborne? And can you give me any additional information?
- Not at this time.
- Roger. Thank you.
- Will call on takeoff.
- Andrews, Air Force One.
- Air Force One, Andrews, go ahead sir.
- Andrews,… Andrews Air Force Base.
- Roger, standby.
- (background commotion)
- Air Force Command Post.
- Air Force One, standby please.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Give them a copy.
- Command Post, Air Force One, how do you read?
- Fine, sir. Go ahead.
- ...Dallas...Four seven Zulu.will call Andrews.
- ...approximate time, sir?
- Well, two plus one zero go ahead.
- Two plus one zero. And do you have any passengers on board?
- Roger.
- ...on board?
- ...on board?
- None?
- I’ll call you back, Command Post.
- All right, sir.
- Air Force One, Andrews. I have SAM Command Post standing by sir.
- Command Post, Air Force One, go ahead.
- Roger, Roger.
- This is Colonel Hornbuckel….in Operations. We have a request from…….Do you have…body on board?
- Okay, Air Force One. Affirmative on all those questions. Go ahead.
- Roger, thank you very much. Out.
Reel 1 Side Two - Patch 3
- Air Force One for a radio check.
- Air Force One, Andrews, loud and clear.
- Loud and clear, Liberty.
- Roger.
- Scott, loud and clear.
- Air Force One, standing by.
- 26000
- 26000
- Air Force One, go ahead please.
- Roger, Air Force One, are you airborne at present? Are you airborne at present?
- Affirmative. Airborne at Two Zero Four Seven, 2047. Estimated time on the block at Andrews is Two Three Zero Five – 2045.
- Roger, Roger, Air Force One, understand, 2047, ETA Andrews, 2035, is that Charlie?
- That is Charlie.
- Roger, Roger Air Force One, SAM Command Post clear.
- Air Force Command Post, go ahead.
- I have Air Force One standing by, stand by please.
- Air Force One, give Command Post a call please.
- Command Post, Air Force One.
- Go ahead Air Force One, this is Command Post.
- Okay, departure 2-0-4-7, estimated Andrews 2-3-0-5, and we are rounding off at flight altitude 2-9-0. Over.
- Roger, understand. Standby One, please.
- Go ahead.
- Air Force One, this is the Air Force Command Post. If possible, request the names of passengers on board please?
- We have a party of…..
- Forty people, is that affirmative?
- That’s affirmative.
- Can you tell me in regards as to ah, one and two, the top people?
- Roger. The president is on board, the body is on board, and Mrs. Kennedy is on board.
- Can you confirm once again your takeoff time and your estimated time of arrival at Andrews?
- Two Zero Seven…Andrews, two three zero five.
- Roger, thank you. This is Command Post out.
- Air Force One, Command Post.
- Roger.
- Roger 26000
- Air Force One, give me a shout please?
- Air Force One, standby sir.
- Crown? This is….on standby please.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
- Right.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
- Crown, Air Force One.
- This is Crown, go ahead.
- Surgeon General of the Army Heaton…..
-Please repeat the message.
- We need a patch with General Heaton. Heaton present whereabouts….
- Roger, Roger. That’s General Heaton, the Surgeon General of the Army. Over.
- That is correct.
- Roger, Roger, standby.
- Air Force One, Crown. Standby please. This is the general now, over.
- Command Post weather is 26000, please.
- Okay, Air Force One, standby.
- Roger.
- ….right now….Air Force one, Air Force One, Andrews on One Five, I’ll Copy sir.
- Yes, sir?
- You’ll have to hold on there. We’re in a long patch going out now.
- Right, I’ll hold.
- Okay, sir.
- 26000
- One, Andrews.
- Roger sir…give them a call….
- Are we on….One…Eight….pick up on meg….
- We could try…frequency….13 -18…also….
- One, Five, Zero, One, One.
- Roger….is that correct?
- Roger, one of them is. The other is a backup and the other will be busy in a couple of minutes.
- Roger with the….
- Roger, very good.
- Roger, can you patch me through with Air Force One please?
- Who is this please?
- This is Airman Stanz.
- Standby, you are number three.
- Okay, right.
- Will you call me back through Command Post?
- Because this is taking quite a while holding onto the line….
- …..Forecast….
- Okay, right sir.
- ...Say again.
Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 4
- Air Force One, Crown. Hello?
- Air Force One, this is Crown, do you read me? Over.
- Roger, Roger, Crown. Air Force One.
- Hello? (9:45)
- Air Force One, this is Crown. You were cut off. General Heaton is at Walter Reed Hospital. You will have to stand by for a moment or let me call you back when I get him on the line. It will take about a minute to reach him.
- Air Force One, Crown, do you Roger? Over.
- Crown, Roger. Try and get General Heaton, and in the meantime, try to get the Deputy Surgeon General. We will talk to either of them.
- This is Crown. Roger. Will you standby, and let me call you back? Over.
- This is important.
- Roger. I’ll put an emergency on it and we will get him as soon as possible.
- Roger, Roger.
- We are standing by.
- I’ll give you call in just a while.
- …Air Force One, go ahead.
- …Air Force One, Crown.
- ….standby for a message.
- ….Dr. Burkley….?
- Dr. Burkley, this is Crown. You’re cutting out, you’re cutting out. You’ll have to repeat, over.
- This is Dr. Burkley. I want to get in touch with General Heaton or General Heaton’s deputy.
- Dr. Burkley, this is Crown. We are working as fast as possible trying to get the call through for you. He’s at Walter Reed. We are unable to locate him. Still searching. Over.
- The Deputy must be in the General’s office over at the main Navy building.
- Roger, Roger. If you’ll standby, we’ll try to reach him.
- Market….This is Crown. You Roger? We’re trying to reach one of them. If you’ll standby please.
- Roger.
- Air Force One, on fifteen.
- Air Force One, loud and clear.
- Okay, do you have another line in to Crown?
- This is Andrews. Roger.
- Okay, go ahead.
- Roger. Stand by One. (11:45)
- (female switchboard operator).
- Hello, can you give me White House switchboard, please?
- Thank you.
- Signal.
- Right….ah……
- Crown, I have Air Force One.
- Roger, Roger…Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead sir.
- [(Silence)….break in tape?] ……
- Roger, Roger. Duplex is on the line, go ahead.
- ….(Static) … arriving Andrews…five…I repeat….
- Duplex, this is Duplex. [break in tape?]
- Arrival Andrews, Six-Zero-Five, standby.
- Arriving Andrews, Fifteen, Zero, Five, rather…
- Have received.
Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 5
(16:06)
- Duplex….arrival Andrews, Six Zero Five, standby,….ambulance from Walter Reed…transport body Over.
- Arrangements have been made for a helicopter for Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Over.
- Standby, Jerry, we’re going to have to get Berkley here.
- Okay. Go ahead.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Duplex is on. Duplex is on the air.
- Duplex is on. This is Dr. Burkley. What arrangements have been made with regard to the reception of the President?
- The….everybody aboard Air Force One, everyone aboard Air Force One, with the exception of the body, will be choppered into the South Ground. The body will be choppered to the Naval Medical Center at Bethesda. Over.
- The body will be choppered or go by ambulance to the Navy Medical Center?
- Will be choppered, will be choppered.
- I’ll call General Heaton and ask him to….Washington in regards to this. Would you call him and cancel the….Walter Reed….I didn’t know the arrangements were already made. [1738]
- Say again, say again Doctor.
- The body is in a casket, you know, and it will have to be taken by ambulance and not by chopper.
- Alright. I’ll tell Captain Shepard that.
- Be sure to contact…..
- (female operator) General Heaton is on, this is Doctor Burkley.
- Yes, Burkley?
- Air Force One.
- Yes?
- I read you Admiral Burkley.
- Hold for a minute, please. General Clifton here….
- Ah….this is General Clifton.
-Yes General Clifton?
- We do not want a helicopter for Bethesda Medical Center. We do want the ambulance and a ground return from Andrews to Walter Reed. And we want the regular post mortem that has to be done by law, under guard, performed at Walter Reed. Is that clear? Over.
- That is clear General Clifton. You want an ambulance and a ah….another limousine at Andrews and you want the regular post mortem by law done at Walter Reed.
- That is correct. Hold on for a minute. Over.
- I’ll hold on.
- Air Force One?
- Air Force One, Andrews. Go ahead sir.
- Okay, I think our patch was cut there on 13.
- Air Force One, will you give the ground party give a call sir. [20:07]
- Hello? Jerry?
- Go ahead.
- Jerry, what arrangements have you made?
- We have made no arrangements, but will follow through on what you just told me. An ambulance and a limousine at Andrews and in regards to the post mortem studies.
- General Heaton, will you kindly hold, we have arrangements already made….and will have to clear that before we do anything further.
- An ambulance and a limousine at Andrews (background conversation).
- Air Force One, repeat your last transmission….
- …….
- Hello Andrews? This is Crown. (21:12)
- Crown, go ahead.
- Ah, we have Captain Shepard here who has evidently made some arrangements on the funeral and so forth here in Washington, and bringing the body back and so forth. He would like to get on and talk with Air Force One when General Heaton is finished. It might be possible to put him up on a conference so they can all make the arrangements together? I understand that Captain Shepard the Naval aid e has made some arrangements also. So you might explain this to Air Force One and tell them we’ll try to put them on a conference, if they like. [21:59]
- Andrews, standby, we have Admiral Burkley.
Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 6
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Andrews to Liberty.
- Liberty to Andrews, go ahead.
- Did you copy the full 9-7-2 off Hickman? 2-1-1-1 Zulu, estimated Andrews Zero Five Three Zero Zulu, ultimate….
- Liberty, Andrews, Roger.
-Forward to Air Force One.
-Liberty, Andrews, Roger.
Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 7
- (female operator) Go ahead, Duplex is on one, sir.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Give your party a call.
- Okay, Duplex, Duplex, this is Watchman. Over.
- Go ahead Watchman. Over.
- Duplex, this is Watchman. I understand that…ambulance… to Bethesda….is this correct? Over.
- Watchman. It has been arranged to helicopter, helicopter the body to Bethesda. Over.
- This is Watchman. That is okay if it isn’t dark. What about the First Lady? Over.
- Everybody else aboard, everybody else aboard, it has been arranged to helicopter into the South Grounds.
- Watchman….helicopter operation will work because we have a very heavy casket? Over.
- Ah, according to Witness, yes.
- This is Watchman. …. don’t take a chance on that. Have a mortuary type ambulance standing by in case the helicopter doesn’t work.
- That’s affirmative.
- That’s affirmative. I receive.
- Now some other instructions. Listen carefully. We need a ramp, a normal ramp at the front of the aircraft, on the right hand side, just behind the pilot’s cabin in the galley. We are going to take the First Lady off by that route. Over. Do you understand?
- I receive. Affirmative.
- Also, by the right rear, on no, the left rear, the left rear of the aircraft, where we usually dismount, disembark, we will need a fork lift rather than a ramp because it will be too awkward. We will need a platform to walk out on, and a fork lift to put it on. Is that possible? Over.
- Say again, say again Watchman.
- I say again. The casket is in the rear compartment, and we suggest, because it is so heavy, that we have a fork lift, a fork lift there to remove the casket. But if this is too awkward, we can get along with a normal ramp and several men. Over.
- Affirmative. We will try for the fork lift.
- Next item. Duplex, Duplex. Ah ….The press, according to Mr. Johnson, the press is to have a normal…at Andrews field, and he is going from there by helicopter to the White House.
- Say again, Watchman, say again please.
- Watchman, this is Duplex, say again.
- The press, the normal corral, it will have to be in front of the aircraft, because that is where President Johnson will come off. Okay?
-Will you say that again?
- I say again. On the right front, a ramp for Mrs. Kennedy, on the left rear, if possible, a fork lift for the casket, and in the right front, near the pilot, a normal ramp….. Over.
- Say again, Watchman, you’re breaking.
- (non-broadcast communications – someone else behind radio operator) I got that, on the left front, I got that, normal ramp for President Johnson…on the left front…all right.
- Did everybody get that clear? Over.
- That is affirmative.
- Hold One, …Tillerman would like to talk to you.
- Standby One. Are you there?
- Watchman, Watchman, this is Duplex.
- Duplex, this is Watchman, Over. Go ahead.
- Watchman, should the Secretary of Defense and others be at Andrews on your arrival?
- No, I am about, no negative….Have them call the White House. President Johnson will meet with the White House staff….the leadership of Congress, and as many of the Cabinet members as possible at the White House as soon as we get there, approximately eighteen thirty - one, eight, three, zero. Over.
- Will you say again…you got it?
- (unbroadcast communications) President Johnson is supposed to meet as many of the cabinet members at the White House at 1830.
- This is Watchman. Did you get it all? Members of the White House staff. Also the leadership of Congress. Also as many Cabinet members as available at the White House at 1830.
- That is affirmative Watchman. That is affirmative.
- Repeat that to me.
- All leaders of Congress, as many Cabinet members as possible at the White House at 1830- The key members of the White House staff. That is Bundy, Sorrensen, etcetera.
- That is correct.
- Okay.
Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 8
- Digest to Duplex, come in.
- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
- ...sir.
- ...helicopter transportation for President Johnson.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Because you changed position, you have a bad microphone.
- Okay, how’s this?
- Air Force One, Roger. Go ahead with your traffic now sir.
- Go ahead, this is Duplex.
- Again, I repeat, three helicopters to transport people to the White House lawn. Okay?
- That is affirmative.
- Roger, okay. White House 102 and 405x, for transportation to Navy hospital, okay?
- That is affirmative.
- That’s a Roger. I am keeping ah….will join Hill and his party at the Navy Hospital. Okay?
- Digest, this is Duplex. You accompany the body aboard the helicopter?
- Roger, request, I was unable to get ahold of……. (break in tape – midsentence)
END OF TAPE – Reel 1, Side 2 (30:57)
AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS
Reel 2, Side 1 (29:42) Patch 1
Duplex – Gerald Behn USSS (At Crown/White House)
Digest – Roy Kellerman (Aboard AF1)
Dagger – Rufus Youngblood (Aboard AF1)
Lace – Lady Bird Johnson
Valley – LBJ and Lady Bird’s Residence in DC
- Andrews. Duplex.
- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
- Static…… (unintelligible) …. okay?
- Say again Digest.
- …..static……were not notified……(unintelligible)
- Okay.
- ...unintelligible)...
- Say Again, Sir. (third voice – radio operator).
- That is affirmative Digest.
- Okay, Jerry. One more… Standby.
- Okay one more. ....(unintelligible) ...coverae is on six, nine, seven oh.
- Right....go ahead Digest.
- Say again sir. (radio operator)
- Go ahead Digest
- Repeat. Number…. Six nine seven oh (6-9-7-0). Okay?
- That’s affirmative. I receive.
- Ah, do you have any questions? Is that enough?
- Not at the moment. But if we do we’ll call back.
- That’s a Roger, but hold on.
- I got…. (muffled background conversation)...the aircraft...good.
- Digest for Duplex. Go ahead.
- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
- Could you call Dr. John Walsh in Washington and advise him of our arrival?
- That is affirmative.
- Okay.
- Where does Lace want to meet her? Where?
- Say again sir.
- Digest, this is Duplex. Where does Lace want Doctor Walsh to meet her?
- Ah,…at the White House when we get there with her.
- (At the White House)…..That’s affirmative.
- Standby. I don’t have anything but I think they want the line open here.
- This is Crown. I have Witness standing by.
- Get up, hang up, ah. There’s another call here.
- Digest? Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?
- Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?
- Stand by Crown. (radio operator)
- Air Force, Air Force One, Andrews. (radio operator)
- Negative Crown, negative Crown.
- Air Force One, Andrews, say again sir.
- Air Force One, Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- This is negative Crown...I have traffic only.
[Break in tape?]
Reel 2, Side One - Patch 2
- Andrews Sideband, radio.
- Command Post Weather. We’re still waiting to bring up Air Force One. We’ve been waiting now for fifteen minutes, what’s up?
- Yes sir. We are running two patches at once into the White House and they are real busy. We can’t get through to them. They’re making arrangements to take the body off and everything else.
- Let me patch in for Air Force Weather so they know.
- I already told them that earlier.
- Go ahead.
- Go ahead sir.
- Weather’s on.
- Hello sir?
- We’re running two patches at one time from Air Force One to the White House, and they are making arrangements to take the casket and stuff off and we can’t get through to you, and as soon as we can we’ll give you a call.
- Okay, he needs that temperature before he gets there.
- They should be done soon. They’ve been on it for quite a while now.
- Okay, Air Force One. Loud and clear.
- [ Break in on other conversation]……Standby and we’ll have General Heaton come on this other line.
- Sir, Command Post weather has been trying to get a patch. Can we run it at this time, sir?
- Command Post? I have weather.
- Weather’s on. Go ahead.
- Weather on Air Force One, give them a call please?
- Weather, Air Force One, go ahead. (4:50)
- This is Command Post Weather, be advised of a severe weather area from forty miles west of Fleetwood, Mississippi, to twenty miles west of Glanville, Arkansas extending one twenty miles, one hundred miles to the east for tornadoes, tops five zero thousand, fifty thousand. I want you to be advised of that. I have a revised landing forecast for Andrews. If you are ready to copy, over.
- I will have to call you back on it.
- Roger.
- Air Force One. Copy sir…
- Liberty.
- Roger Liberty. Loud and clear.
- (Static)
- Roger, Roger, okay, Take …. Correction. Take this and relay it for me and then I want to patch it. …
- (Static)
- Liberty. Air Force One?
- Air Force One. This is Andrews.
- Air Force One, Andrews, go ahead sir.
- Okay, you can set up Command Post? Bring up to two, three zero, zero.
- This is Andrews. Roger copy. We’ll rely that.
- Okay and pick up the weather warning from the Air Force Command Post and see if there’s anything to it please, we’ve got…..
- Roger. Standby One.
- Static…..bring up to nine zero….
- Air Force Command Post. Major Benson.
- Right. Can I have weather please?
- Just a minute.
- Weather on.
- Sir, I have Air Force One. He’s real busy and he wants to know how severe this weather warning is, if it was severe?
- It’s for tornadoes. That’s pretty severe.
- Okay. Hold on.
- Right.
- Air Force One. Air Force One. Andrews.
- Do you read six, seven. Six, seven?
- Read…
- Air Force One.
- I have the weather on and weather is pretty important sir. Will you give them a call sir?
- Air Force One, go ahead.
- All right. Break in weather.
- Be advised. Be advised that the severe weather area is for tornadoes, tornadoes is the severity. Radar reports tops in the area at the present time from forty seven to Fifty one thousand. Over.
- What area was that? I didn’t get it before.
- This is for an area forty miles west of Greenwood, Mississippi to forty miles west of Glanville , Arkansas, and one hundred twenty miles east of both of these locations. It is on your flight path. Over.
- That is twenty miles east of both of those locations, is that correct?
- Yea, right. If you draw a line from Greenwood to Glanville, and a hundred twenty miles east of that line.
- Okay.
- Your temperature at landing at Andrews six two, sixty two degrees.
- Roger that. Thank you. Over.
Reel 2 Side One - Patch 3
- Air Force Once, this is Crown, come in.
- This is Dagger on Air Force One, to Crown.
- (Women’s voice) Roger, Roger. I have Freedom …I have Witness standing by for a patch.
- We’ll have Witness in one minute. Could we go ahead with traffic for -
- Roger. You have someone calling Bain. Is that a Roger?
- This is Dagger calling Bain.
- Stand by.
- Dagger.
- Duplex is on, go ahead.
- Dagger to Duplex
- This is from Volunteer and Victoria relative to activities tonight.
- Go ahead Dagger, this is Duplex.
- You are aware that we will go to Crown for meeting?
- That is affirmative.
- Go ahead.
- Volunteer will reside at Valley for an indefinite time. I repeat Volunteer will reside at Valley for an indefinite time. Victoria requests… to go to Valley with agents.
- Will you say again? Will you say again? Venus will go to Valley with agents?
- That is a Roger. Venus will go to Valley with agents.
- Victoria will go to Valley after first going to Crown. Over.
- Victoria will go to Valley after first going to Crown. Okay.
- That’s affirmative.
- Do you also understand that for residential purposes Volunteer will reside at Valley?
- That is affirmative. That is affirmative.
- Alright. That is all the traffic I have. ….you will get.
- Okay, okay.
Reel 2 Side One - Patch 4
- Will you give me a patch into Crown please?
- Roger, Standby One.
- White House. (Male operator picks up phone).
- Roger. Standby for Air Force One.
- Roger.
- Air Force One. Andrews. Crown. (11:08)
- Crown, Air Force One. This is a message from Wing to Slugger. Slugger is to meet aircraft as soon as possible. If he cannot do this, he is to see Wing as soon as possible, as soon as possible. Go ahead.
- Roger. Roger. Wing to Slugger. Meet aircraft as soon as possible, if this is impossible, see Wing as soon as possible, go ahead.
- That is correct. Or contact him anyway feasible.
- Roger. Roger, Crown understands. Anything further?
- This weather is…
- Roger. Roger.
Reel 2, Side One - Patch 5
- …..land.
- Air Force One. Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- Request Victoria … repeat … cance l … for commercial telephones. That is Volunteer and Victoria’s commercial telephones at Valley should be temporarily discontinued and security lines should be put in ,… get ……land…. personnel on that…..do you understand? Over.
- That’s a Roger Roger, cancel commercial lines at Valley, at Valley, and install blocker circuits, blocker circuits. Is that a Roger?
- That’s a Roger.
- Roger. Will Do.
(13:13)
Reel 2, Side One - Patch 6
Winner – Andrew Hatcher, Aka “Andy” (At Crown)
Warrior – Malcolm Kilduff
- Air Force?
- Air Force One. Andrews, go ahead.
- Crown please?
- Roger eight one…go ahead.
- Winger?
- Stand by for Air Force One….Roger, Crown.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give Crown a call.
- Roger, Air Force One. We would like a patch with Winner, and ah, the patch is coming from Warrior. Go ahead.
- Roger, Roger, standby.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, how do you read? Over.
- Warrior from Crown, you are loud and clear. (13:37) I am putting Winner on now to you. Roger.
- Crown. This is Warrior, I want Winner, I want Winner, over.
- Warrior, Warrior, from Crown, go ahead. Winner, Winner is on the line.
- Winner, Winner. This is Warrior. Do you read me, over?
- I hear you. Over.
- Winner, Winner, this is Warrior. Will you please advise press that normal press coverage including live TV will be allowed at the base. Volunteer, repeat, Volunteer will make statement on arrival, will make statement on arrival. Did you read that? Over.
- I read you clearly.
- Will you listen to my question? Is Mrs. Kennedy aboard Air Force One?
- Warrior. That is a Roger. That is a Roger. Over.
- Alright, the other thing is I am setting up a press section on the south lawn about 50 yards from the position of Helicopter Number One. Would that meet Mrs. Kennedys and the President’s approval?
- Winner, they are not returning to the house, they are not returning to the house, for your own information. They are going someplace else. I don’t want to go in on the radio with this one. So there will be an arrival there, but it will be Volunteer. It will be Volunteer. Over.
- Thank you. I will hold that information. And we can say something after you arrive. Hold it just a second. Let me see my list of questions. Is it true that the body of President Kennedy will go to Bethesda Naval Hospital?
- That is a Roger, that is a Roger, but we are not saying that yet. Over.
- Well we already said it. I should have checked it with you before doing it. But I don’t think it makes much difference. It takes a lot…It takes a lot off of us by doing it. I was in error. Over.
- So far as the there is no objection on the south lawn. There is no objection to that.
- (Unintelligible) lies, lies…Okay. Is there anything else?
- Will you repeat that?
- Is there anything else that I should know?
- Wait a minute. You are breaking. But let me think about this just a second will you?
- Yes, the power on this aircraft………We lost ….bell…..somewhere along the line, we don’t have AP aboard. But I have given them the statement…… he will make at the airport. Over.
- I understand you. Okay, over and out.
- Don’t go out on me yet. Are you still there?
- Yes I am here.
- I think we are going to tell the press that on arrival, hold on, just a minute, wait a minute, I have Clifton here, he is trying to give me something, hold it, over…… (background conversation, muffled).
- (muffled conversation).
- Winner, Winner, this is Warrior, the…..you can announce on arrival, on arrival, he will meet with….at the White House……(static – ten seconds) ……later he will meet with the leadership, with the leadership. Did you read that? Over.
- Yes I did read that.
- Wait a minute. You are breaking badly. I cannot read. …
- Yes, yes. I understand, I will announce.
- Very good Winner. Now wait a minute, there is something else I want to relay to you. Hold on. They said that on arrival at the house, the president will meet with MacNamara and Bundy. And also if Rusk is in town he will meet with Rusk but I think he is in the Far East so it will probably be Ball. And after, a half hour after that meeting is over, we will meet with Congressional leadership at at,… now wait a minute, that’s eight o’clock, he will meet with leadership…. at eight o’clock, eight o’clock. Did you read that? Over.
- I read it. Now is that bipartisan leadership or Democratic leadership?
- That is only bipartisan, only bipartisan.
- I understand you.
- Hold on for some other information. Do you mind holding Andy?
- No go right ahead. (ten seconds).
- I have no more at this time. I hope you will be available so I can reach you if I get more information as it develops? Over.
- Yes, over and out.
Reel 2, Side One - Patch 7
- Air Force.
- Air Force One. This is Crown.
- This is Warrior to Crown, Crown, are you reading. Over.
- This is Crown, loud and clear.
- Hold on for transmission from Witness. From Witness.
- Roger, Roger, would also like to confirm at this time, would also like to confirm at this time, the request from AF One…Watchman. Over.
- This is Crown. Go ahead …
- Can you put Mister Bundy on?
- You were broken. You were broken, say again.
- Crown, this is Watchman. Please put Mister Bundy on the line. Over.
- Roger, Roger, standby.
- You’re party on this end is on. Go ahead and transmit to him.
- Watchman….
- ……Mac,…….second and secretary MacNamare at six thirty at the White House. If Mr. Rusk is in town…..Mr. Rusk…..we do not, we do not, that’s negative, we do not want the acting secretary. Over.
- Correct. Tell him that the acting cabinet will be at the airport to greet him. He can bring MacNamara and me in his chopper to the White House. Over.
- That is fine. That is all right. We can do that. Take another message.
- Yea.
- Secondly. I talked to Jerry Behn about a White House staff meeting. There will be No White House staff meeting tonight, that will be tomorrow.
- I have it. Let me repeat your message. Over.
- Okay.
- First that the President would like to meet with the Secretary and me at the White House on return from Andrews. Second that there will be no other meeting this evening. There will be ….tomorrow. Is that correct? Over.
- No that is not correct. He wants to meet with the leadership about seven-thirty, the leadership at seven-thirty.
- Does he want us to arrange that?
- He wants you to arrange that. Two meetings tonight. MacNamarea and Bundy.
- Does he mean only the Democratic leadership only? Over.
- Bipartisan leadership; and I’ll give you some names. Over.
- Speaker of the House. [John McCormak (D. Mass.)
- Yea.
- Carl Albert. [D. Oklahoma]
- Carl Albert.
- Hal Boggs.
- Yea.
- Charles Halleck [R. Indiana]
- Wait a moment. Say that one again.
- Leslie Arends [R. Illinois]
- Arends. Yea.
- (From) the Senate. Are you listening? Over.
- I have…Will you take from me what I have? Then we can go on.
- I’ll listen to you. Over.
- I have Speaker Carl Albert, Hale Boggs, and Leslie Arends. Over.
- This is Watchman. That is correct, and I will now continue with the Senate. Over.
- Mansfield. [D. Montana]
- Right.
- Humphrey [D. Minnesota].
- Yea.
- And Dirksen [R. Illinois].
- Hang on, hold it. Wait a moment. I have the first three, over.
- Repeat over.
- This is Watchman. Out.
- Hello, sir? Standby please. (radio operator)
- Yea.
- Watchman, Andrews. We’re still standing by for orders to carry out, sir.
- Crown, this is Angel. Crown, this is Angel. Out.
- Crown, Angel?
- This is Angel.
- Crown, Angel.
- Listen Angel, Would you? I broke down with Mister Bundy. Would you check his Senate list for me? Over
- I have Mansfield, Humphrey, Smathers. Over.
- This is Watchman. In addition to Mansfield, Humphrey, Smatters, we want Dirksen.
- Yea (24:03)
- Kuchel and [Bourke] Hickenlooper [R. Iowa]. Over.
- Dirksen, Kuchel, Hickenlooper. Over.
- That is correct. For about seven thirty. Over.
- Seven thirty at the White House? Over.
- Seven thirty in the Cabinet Room. Over.
- Tell the Vice President [Sic ] the Cabinet Room is under rearrangement, but the Oval Room will be ready. Over.
- The Oval Room it will be, you mean the Fish Room?
- I mean, both the Fish Room, and the President’s Study and we will try to have the Cabinet Room. But that’s a detail, we can work that out. Over.
- This is Watchman. [Gen. Clifton] HE DOES NOT WANT TO GO IN THE MANSION OR IN THE OVAL ROOM OR THE PRESIDENT’S STUDY OR THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE. (Loud and with emphasis)
- Correct. [Bundy].
- IF THE CABINET ROOM ISN’T READY PUT IT IN THE FISH ROOM. OVER.
- I have you. I understand. Always in the West Wing. Over.
- I have nothing further. Over.
- This is Watchman, now please brief Duplex about the changes, so we don’t confuse it. . Duplex is Jerry Behn. Over.
- Alright I will.
- See you in a little while. Over.
- Okay.
Reel 2, Side One - Patch 8 –
- Air Force One
- This is Warrior to Crown, Crown
- Are you reading? Over.
- Warrior, Warrior. This is Crown. Loud and clear.
- Hold for Witness. This is Watchman. Over.
- Standby One I have another patch.
- I have Air Force One Andrews, please.
- Air Force One. Come in on another line down please.
- Andrews. Andrews sideband, will you give me Crown please?
- Give you who sir?
- Andrews?
- Who did you want to give a call?
- Crown. White House.
- White House. (Male voice)
- Roger. Stand by for Air Force One.
- Roger.
- Air Force One White House on.
- How do you read? Over.
- Crown, you are loud and clear, go ahead
- White House, White House, will you give me another patch to Winner, Another patch to Winner.
- Roger, Standby.
- We are still standing by for Crown.
- Andrews, Andrews, this is Air Force One. Do I have that patch with Crown. Over.
- Andrews, Air Force One. We are still standing by for Winner through Crown.
- Will you repeat?
- We are still standing by for Winner. We are still standing by for Winner.
- That’s a Roger.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Crown, Crown. This is Warrior. Over.
- Warrior, Stand by. Winner is still in another patch, still in another patch.
- Crown.
- Will you repeat?
- Roger. We are still standing by for Winner. We are still standing by for Winner.
- That’s a Roger.
- One Andrews.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior. Over.
- Warrior, Andrews. Winner is still in another patch. Winner is still in another patch. I have another message for radio operator on Air Force One.
- Crown, Crown. Who is Winner on a patch with? Over.
- Hello Andrews?
- Yea?
- Will you break in for me?
- Yes.
- Warrior? Crown.
- Crown, give him another call?
- Warrior, Warrior, this is Crown.
- Go ahead Crown.
- Warrior, this is Crown. We are having some difficulty in locating ah, Winner. Will you stand by please?
- That’s a Roger Crown, this is Warrior.
- Air Force One? Andrews? Hello?
- Is this Air Force One?
- Can you give me a quick check on that?
- How about bringing that thirteen through Liberty on the nose, and come back with it?
- Stand by.
End of Reel 2, Side 1 (29:42)
Reel 2, Side 2 (30:06) - Patch 1
- Now….
- Roger, Roger.
- Hello? (Women’s voice)
- Just a moment, Mrs. Kennedy.
- Just one moment now please.
- ….are you up?
- Hello?
- Standby One now please.
- One, Air Force One, Air Force One, from Crown, come in.
- Crown, this is Air Force One, do you read us? Over……
- Are you ready for Volunteer? Go ahead.
- Yes, we are ready, can you put her on and I’ll turn you over to him. Over.
- Roger, Roger, she is coming now.
- Air Force One from Crown. Mrs. Kennedy on, go ahead please.
- Hello, Mrs. Kennedy? Hello Mrs. Kennedy, we are talking from the airplane, can you hear me all right? Over.
- Thank you. Hello?
- Yes, Mrs. Kennedy, I have….could hear you.
- Mrs. Kennedy?
- Yes, Yes Mr. President, Yes?
- I wish to God there was something I could do. And I want to tell you that we are grieving with you.
- Yes, well thank you very much. Thank you very much. I know, I know that you loved Jack and that he loved you.
- (Lady Bird) Mrs. Kennedy….we…..together….We……son…..
- Thank you Lady Bird, thank you very much. Goodbye.
- …. In our prayers ….all of you.
- All right. Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye. (Phone hangs up).
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior. I think that’s it. It’s over. Is that a Roger? Over.
- That’s a Roger, Warrior. Mrs. Kennedy hung up. Go ahead.
Reel 2 Side One - Patch 2
- Crown, now will you get me that patch to Walter Jenkins in President Johnson’s office? Over.
- Roger, Standby One.
- And Crown, get somebody to come up on the Charlie set please?
- Liberty to Air Force One, are you on Nine?
- Roger, I still have…standing by for Warrior.
- Okay, bring him up on Nine, please. Crown, give Air Force One a call now.
- Air Force One, Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead.
- Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on, give them a call please.
- Crown, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
- Roger Warrior, this is Crown, standby for Winner. Go ahead.
- That’s a Roger, you are loud and clear.
- Warrior, Warrior, Winner is on, go ahead.
- Winner, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
- I read you.
- Winner, that first meeting will be Bundy and McNamara only. The President will meet with Rusk, U.S. Senators….probably going to be a different, be a different ah event….ah.
- I read you.
- Did you read that Winner?
- Yes, Yes.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
- Yes I do Warrior, I read you.
- ….aboard….I need Crown back again. I need Crown back again. Over.
- Yes, over and out. And I’ll….
- Crown
- Liberty?
- Crown?
- Yes?
- Roger, give Air Force One a call please.
- Roger. Air Force One, Air Force One, this is Crown, come in. Air Force One, this is crown, come in.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
- Warrior, this is Crown, ah Roger, you are at Five Five, go ahead.
- Will you get me a patch with Mister Walter Jenkins….ah,…at President Johnson’s office. Over.
- Roger, Warrior, standby.
- Kill this call! Kill this call! I think we are overlapping on another call. Over.
- Roger.
- This is Warrior. I mean Crown. This is Warrior on Air Force One. Go ahead.
- Roger, Roger. On your request for Jenkins, he is on route to Andrews, on route to your destination. Go ahead.
- That’s a Roger Crown. I will pass that word on.
Reel 2 Side Two - Patch 3.
- Air Force One, Volunteer would like a patch to the Governor Connally…that’s Governor Connally of Texas. Mrs. Connally, the Governor’s wife. Go ahead.
- Volunteer would like a patch with Mrs. Connally, Governor Conally’s wife. Is that a Roger?
- That is a Roger.
- Roger, Roger, we have Dallas on the line and are trying to contact her now. Standby please.
- Standing by.
- Crown, come in.
- ….so far….
- Roger, Roger that’s right, Standby One.
- Crown to Air Force One.
- Air Force One from Crown. The Connally residence in Dallas is on the line, on the line, and Mrs. Connally is available to speak with Mister Johnson if he can get to the phone patch. Go ahead.
- Roger, he wants specifically to speak with her. Go ahead.
- Roger, standby just a moment. AF One, AF One from Crown, will you put Volunteer on please? Mrs. Connally is on the line, standing by for his call.
- Standby One.
- Can you hear me?
- …..reasuring….the surgeon….John….is so reassuring…how about it…..(static)
- I can’t hear you too well.
- …Can you hear me? (Volunteer/LBJ)
- Yes.
- (LBJ) I know that everything is going to be all right, isn’t it?
- (Women’s Voice/Nellie Connally) Yes, it’s going to be all right.
- God bless you darlin’.
- The same to you.
- …for me….
- Good luck.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
- Air Force One, Andrews, Go ahead. Crown/
- Roger, we have an echo. Is that you or down the line?
- I believe it is down the line, sir. Call….
- Air Force One.
- Air Force One. Crown. Go ahead.
- Roger. That about completes it for now.
- If you could standby Air Force One, we have a couple of people down the line who would like to talk to you, if you could standby.
Reel 2 Side One - Patch 4
- Roger, go ahead.
- Command Post.
- Air Force One, go ahead Command Post.
- Air Force Command Post.
- Go ahead Command Post, Air Force One.
- 3-7-3- ….2-1-4-1 Zulu.
- ….
- Roger, do you copy?
- ….this information passed to…
- ….this information go to? Go ahead.
- Say again? [10:14]
- Information passed to….
- Air Force One, Air Force One. I read you loud and clear. I understand Three, Three departed at Two One Four One. Who do you wish to notify about this? Go ahead.
- Ah, it is very clear sir, that the time of departure is…with the president cars on board.
- Roger, will pass that …know where that goes now.
- Thank you.
- Okay, will you call Command Post and request two, scratch that, four air police meet the airplane? We want two in the front of the airplane and two in the rear. Go ahead.
- Air Force One. You are requesting four staff cars, two staff cars with air police, two in front and two in the rear. Is that correct?
- We don’t want cars, we want air police. We want security people, we want four of them. Two at each door of the airplane. Go ahead.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Roger. Will abide. SAM.
- Roger, thank you.
- A F One, A F One from Crown, come in.
- Crown, Air Force one, go ahead.
- Roger, Roger, stand by for a patch from Tanker, Tanker
- Roger.
- A F One, A F One, Tanker on the line. Go ahead Tanker.
- Hello Andrews, hello Andrews, may I speak with Watchman or Tiger, Watchman or Tiger? Over. Watchman on another line.
- Standing by for Tiger.
- Tiger, how do you read?
- Five by Five, Tiger, Five by Five. I have been informed from Dallas that it was desired that the aircraft be parked at an isolated spot when you arrive here. However, Watchman had a long discussion with ah, Bain, and nothing about that was mentioned. And the present plan on the ground here is to spot you at the regular place, unless Watchman says now that this is not desired. Over.
- I believe that we would park at the regular place, Tiger. Where did you get that information down at Dallas? Over.
- It was from the U.S. A F Command Post agent there. And I understand from him that you had told him to do this. Over.
- We told him to look into that. We were going to discuss it in flight. Go ahead with the regular plan and park in the regular place. Ask…..to get in touch with you and pass on instructions to him. We need steps to the right front of the aircraft. The press box will be on the left front of the aircraft, and President Johnson will deplane at the front of the aircraft. And we need a fork lift at the rear of the aircraft….will deplane on the right front. Over.
- Understand. Tiger. Understand those instructions, and they have all been carried out. We will continue with the plan to spot you in the regular place. There will be a ramp left front, a ramp right front, a fork lift left rear, press area left front. Over.
- Keep in touch. Roger and out.
Reel 2 Side Two - Patch 5
- Crown, patch … call anybody you want.
- Roger.
- A F One, A F One, from Crown.
- Crown, A F One. Go ahead.
- Roger, Roger. Could you pass this to Wing. Pass this to Wing, that on his message to Slugger, Slugger was still in Dallas, still in Dallas, and has been advised to contact Wing as soon as he possibly can.
- Roger, Air Force One, copy. Will pass.
- Roger, Roger. Crown out for now. Do you have anything further A F One?
- Roger, Standby One, we have another patch for Warrior.
- Crown? Give Air Force One a call.
- Air Force One, Crown, go ahead.
- Okay, I need Capitol Four, Three, Two, Nine, One, extension Four, Nine Three.
- Four, Three, Two, Nine, One, extension Four, Nine Three.
- Roger, Roger. Understand. Anyone particular there?
- Roger, anyone at that number.
- Roger, Roger, standby.
- A. F. One, A. F. One from Crown, was that extension Four, Nine Three?
- That is affirmative. Congressman Thomas’ office.
- Say again the Congressman’s name, as they say they have no such extension.
- Congressman Thomas. Hotel, Oscar, Biker, Alpha, Sierra.
- Roger, Roger, standby, Congressman Thomas’ office on the line.
- Roger, this is the airplane. The congressman is requesting that you place his door key under, ah….the doormat of his ah… residence. Go ahead.
- (Women’s voice) Okay. Hello?
- Hello? Did you hear me? Are you there?
- There will be someone at the residence.
- I understand the house will be open and there will be someone at the residence. Is that right?
- Hello. This is Crown. I understand that the residence will be occupied and there will be someone at the residence.
- Okay, fine Crown. Thank you very much.
- Roger, Crown out.
- Andrews, will you check on the ground temperatures when you get a moment?
- Roger.
- The last …was if Volunteer was aboard? Go ahead.
- Just a moment.
- Andrews, the temperature, the present temperature is 64 degrees.
- Okay.
- Crown. Zulu time.
- Zulu?
- Make it 62.
- 63?
- 62.
- 62. Got it.
- Will have to rescind …...
- ...Yes, yes, we’re not going to be able to rescind…we only get them on one circuit now.
- Oh, I see. We’ll just notify the people.
- All right, thank you very much….
- This is Liberty. Roger.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Air Force One. Go ahead.
- Roger, Present temperature is 64 degrees. 2300 forecast, Six two degrees.
- Roger. Thank you.
- Air Force one. Will you give me the Command Post please?
- Roger, sir.
- Air Force Command Post…
- Sideband…Air Force One for a patch.
- Roger, Stand by for Air Force One.
- Air Force One, Command Post. Go ahead.
- Roger Command Post, Air Force One, we checked Crown Royal at 2242, and are descending…remains 2305, go ahead.
- Roger. Air Force One. Command Post…..
- (women’s voice) … (unintelligible)
- Standby…ah, he’s on the teleyision set right now.
- (women’s voice) It’s very important.
- Who’s calling please?
- ….in Dallas.
- Can you standby? Over.
- This is Air Force One. Warrior is unable to speak with you at the present time, and asks you if you will please call the White House in about 30 minutes.
- Roger. Out.
- Roger.
Reel 2, Side 2 - Patch 6
- Andrews, this is Air Force One.
- Air Force One. Go ahead.
- Can you give me Air Force Command Post please?
- SAM Command Post. Captain Benson.
- Roger, sideband on Air Force Once for a patch.
- Okay, go ahead.
- Roger, Air Force One, Andrews, SAM Command Post on, go ahead.
- Roger. Do you have an ET on the C130 with the vehicles?
- Negative, sir. Haven’t heard a thing.
- Ah, okay, right, thank you.
- We will check it out.
- Air Force Command Post…sir.
- Sideband from Air Force One coming in.
- White House (operator)
- Standby for Air Force One.
- Roger.
- Go ahead Andrews.
- Command Post, Air Force One landed Andrews at 2300 – Two Three Zero Zero.
- Roger…2300
- Loud and clear.
- Andrews, make it ah….Zero Four please.
- Air Force One, Andrews, arrived on the block at Zero Four. Good Day sir.
- Thank you.
END OF TAPE
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