While there are some places I have not yet formalized, I will make additions and corrections on this page when I have the opportunity. - BK
TRANSCRIPT - AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS – November 22, 1963.
[Transcribed by William Kelly Any corrections or comments bkjfk3@yahoo.com]
Listen to the LBJ Library audio version at Mary Ferrell:
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Audio_-_Other
Listen to the Clifton/Raab audio version from NARA
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-NARA-JFK-ASSASSINATION-AUDIO/content-detail.html
The Clifton Tape picks up about 35 seconds into LBJ Library tape and they often overlap, but both contain unique content, so while the Clifton/NARA version is 40 minutes longer, the LBJ Library tape contains content not on the longer tape.
Tape I - AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS – November 22, 1963.
Editors Note:
I have broken the radio conversations into "Patches" that are numbered for reference.
LBI Library version is timed in (paranthesis)
Clifton/Raab/NARA version is timed in [brackets]
............denotes dead air, static.
LBJ Tape: (Available from Mary Ferrell Archives)
Reel 1, Side 1 (30:55)
Reel 1, Side 2 (30:57)
Reel 2, Side 1 (29:42)
Reel 2, Side 2 (30:06)
LBJ Tape: 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.
LBJ Tape 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.
(1703), - Okay, One-Five. Relay. Will be off Honolulu at seventeen oh-three estimated approximate windshift, 2-1-4-0-2-2.
- 86972, Roger, copy. Thank you much.
- Break, Command Post, Air Force One, 1725. Carswell.
(1725) - Air Force One, understand. Airborne. One, seven, two, five 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.
LBJ Tape 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.
LBJ Tape 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.
- Roge
, 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…..
Tape II - CLIFTON/RAAB/NARA TAPE
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-NARA-JFK-ASSASSINATION-AUDIO/content-detail.html
– Begins – [00:00]
- Andrews this is Two Six Thousand (26000) Delta.
- Two, Six Thousand Andrews Loud and clear.
- Roger, you are loud and clear. I will be monitoring this frequency.
- Two, Six Thousand Andrews Roger, loud and clear. How do you read me now Larry?
- Roger. You are still loud and clear.
- Roger, Standing by.
[00:28]
[00:35]
- White House Situation Room put in a priority one patch for 86972?
- Stand by sir.
- Yes.
- I have Liberty on the line for a priority one patch.
- Roger
[00:49]
.................
[0058] - Stand by One, Libery I’ll give you a call. Okay sir?
.................
[01:10] - I don’t know – [background conversation]
........
- Crown
[01:28]Stand by One.
Liberty, give him a call.
[01:30]
........
Situation Room?
........
[01:49]
.....
Tape 2 Merges with Tape 1 at this Point:
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One – Patch 4
(Unintelligeable)...static.
.............
- Air Force One?
[02:09]-Oh, Liberty? Liberty!
- Roger, I have White House Situation Room, SAM 86972,....Over.
- (Static) ... signal...unintelligable...Andy.
[02:28]- SAM Eight Six Nine Seven Two 86972 do you read me? Over.
- White House?
- White House on.
[02:40]
- Standby.
[02:46]- 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 one moment please.
[03:07]- Roger, Roger 86972.
.........
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One – Patch 5 (6:30)
.........
[03:41]
- 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 Situation Room? Is that a Roger?
- Repeat that transmission please?
- This is Crown, This is Crown. Do you want Situation Room?
[03:58]- I want the Situation Room. That’s affirmative.
- Roger, Roger getting them now.
- Stand by Please.
....
[04:20]- Wayside, Wayside, this is Crown. Situation Room is on. Go ahead.
- Situation Room. This is Wayside, do you read me? Over.
- This is the Situation Room. I read you. Go ahead.
- Give me all available information on President Over.
[04:33]- All available information on President follows. Ah,....Connally...He and Governor Connally of Texas have been hit in the car in which they were riding. We do not know how serious the situation is, we have no information. Mister Bromley Smith is back here in the Situation Room now. We are getting our information over the tickers. Over.
[04:55] That is affirmative, affirmative. Please be advised that this is the plane on which the Secretary of State and other cabinet members is on the way to Japan. Those heading to Honolulu are turning around and returning to Honolulu and will be there in about two hours. Over
[05:08]- 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.
[05:18]- That’s Affirmative. Affirmative. Will need all information to decide whether some of this party should go directly to Dallas. Over.
[05:25] This is Situation Room. Say again your last please?
- Will need to be advised to determine whether some members of this party should go directly to Dallas? Over.
- Roger, you wish information as to whether some members of that party should go to Dallas.
- Affirmative. Affirmative.
- Do you have anything else, Wayside?
- No. Any information you can give me as quickly as possible.
- The Associated Press is coming out now with a bulletin that the President was hit in the head. That just came in. Over.
[06:00]- Roger. Will pass on any new information we get from here to you.
[06:09]- Where are you Wayside?
[06:16] - 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 in to Honolulu and you can contact us on the ground there later.
[06:29] - I understand. This is....Hold, hold on the line there Wayside, we have some more information coming up.
[06:40]...right back.
……………………
[06:52] - Ah, Wayside, Wayside, this is Situation Room. I read from the AP bulletin. Kennedy apparently shot in head, he fell face down in the backseat of his car. Blood was on his head. Mrs. Kennedy cried “Oh no,” and tried to hold up his head. Connally remained half seated slumped to the left. 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. Over
[07:23] - I read that, over.
- This is Situation Room. I have nothing further for you now. I will contact you if we get more.
(07:38)[07:33] Wayside, Roger and out
- Situation Room out.
[07:38]
[07:40]
- Loud and clear.
- One thirty five....assistant Secretary of State....
- Roger, ....this...put them on this frequency....stand by one, ....Andrews, Andrews on two.
[08:16] - Give them a call Andrews.
- Affirmative Andy.
- Roger we have the aircraft and passengers...
-...[08:32]
- ....frequency call back please?
- .....Eight Six Nine Seven Two, we do not know the frequency....
- Roger.
- Two Six Thousand.
- Will you have...give me a call please?
- Roger, Stand by one sir.
- [09:00] - Hello?
- ...Communication Center please?
- [09:07]....get me Secretary Rusk.
- ......
- Cedar Rapids?
- Give me Eight Six Nine Seven Two.[0926]
- I’ll have...give you a call when he’s done.
- Hold on line.
- Hello sir?
- Yes?
[09:50]- Copy Mr. Rusk...State Department is talking to...
[09:57]- He is talking to Mr. Ball back there.
- Stand by One....
- State Dept. is not...at this time.
- Well look...I want to talk to Ball.
- Okay...Number one is trying...
- I’ll wait...
- Okay, Thank you
- ....will be right up.
- Okay, thank you.
[10:30]- I want to keep this frequency open...
- Please give.... a call please....
-Roger
- LBJ Tape Side One - Patch 6
- 86972 is good and readable. I have a party on that wants to talk to you. Stand by One.
[10:46]- Standing by.
- Hello? What is your name again?
- Jackson.
- Mister Jackson?
[10:55]- Yes.
- Okay. Hold on line one.
- 86972, 86972 I have a Mister Jackson, a Mister Jackson on. Will you give him a call, sir?
[11:02]- Mister Jackson, this is SAM 86972. How do you read me?
- I read you very well 72. I would like to talk to Colonel Toomey or Colonel Holland please. Over.
[11:17]- Okay. Colonel Toomey is coming on right now, Stand by One please.
- Okay.
(11:35) [11:30] - Roger. This is Colonel Toomey. Go ahead.
- 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 this message to Secretary of State Rusk, and I will stand by. Over.
[11:56]- 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 one other aircraft alerted to take part of the party to Dallas, and we are returning to Washington. Over.
-[12:20] Thank you very much Colonel Toomey. I will relay that information to Mr. Ball right away. Over and out.
[12:26] - 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.
-Okay thank you very much. Over and out
[12:38]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 7
[12:44]
- 26000, Andrews. Go ahead sir.
[12:50] - 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.
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 8
[13:00]
- 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?
[13:09] - Standby One Six.
- Sir?
- Yes Sir?
[13:19] - 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.
[13:27] - 86972, Andrews.
- 86972.
- Roger, standby. I have another one.
- Who is this sir?
[13:37] - This is the White House.
- Okay, standby please.
- 86972, 86972, Andrews, I have Crown on, will you give them a call sir?
[13:45]- This is 86972, go ahead.
- Roger, This is Crown, we wish a phone patch to Wayside. Go ahead.
[13:58]- Roger, standby for Wayside.
[14:00]..........
[14:15] - Crown.
- Roger, go ahead please.
[14:24] Crown this is Wayside. Go ahead.
[14:33] ....................
[14:44] Go ahead, please
- Wayside? Wayside? This is Stranger. Do you read me? Over.
- This is Wayside. Go ahead.
- Kilduff asked that all cabinet members return to Washington immediately. Over.
[14:59]- We are enroute to Honolulu, where we have ah....Washington. Over
[15:09]- Roger Roger, will they notifiy us of time of arrival and location? Over [15:21]
- Roger, Roger, we do not have any firm word....as to the exact status ... go... Dallas ... Wayside....go ahead.
[15:40]...Wayside this is Stranger, I'll get that information...over.
[1553] - Wayside Standby for Situation Room.
- Yea?
[16:00]- 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.
[16:30] - 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.
[16:35]- (garbled)...keep informed. Over
(15:18) [16:44]- This is Situation Room. Roger. New subject. We will have information for you on whether to proceed to Dallas by the time you land at Honolulu. Over
[16:58]- Affirmative affirmative, also...Secretary of State...Dallas...Over.
- This is Situation Room. Roger. Will do. Get determination on whether Secretary of State should also go to Dallas.
[17:13]- Wayside. Out. Over.
- This is Situation Room. Out
- [17:15]
- [17:20] Liberty?
- Go ahead.
- [17:25] 86972, 86972 Andrews.
- 86972 You are loud and clear.
- Roger. Give me the name, the real name of Stranger please...from the White House
- Roger. Say again the name. What is the name sir? Stranger.
- [17:45] Stranger – S-T-R-A-N-G-E-R
- SAM Command Post is on will you give them a call?
- ....Mr. Jackson from the state department.
- We are returning to Hickham field...three zero Zulu...We are standing by for
- [18:15] more information...
- Stand by for just a moment sir.
- Roger, Roger Seven two, Let us know when you are going to leave Hickham and what your destination is. [18:29]
- Okay we will keep you advised, have Wayside give them a call.
- That's a Roger 72.
[18:42] - 86972 – Andrews.
[18:52]- Andrews.
- Roger. In reference to request. A Major Harold R. Patterson, Major Harold R. Paterson.
[18:59]- Andrwews...have to talk to Wayside. The party is on the line now
[19:06]- Stand by one.
LBJ Tape Reel 1 - Side One - Serial Patch 9
[19:13]
- 86972 Andrews.
- Liberty?
[19:18] - 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.
[19:36]- Wayside is coming on right now.
[19:40] - All right, fine there’s no rush. I’ll just talk to you here. This is the Situation Room. We’ll standby for Wayside. We are looking for confirmation of something here.
- Wayside,...Wayside. What's going on?
- Okay Wayside. Just standby for a moment please. We are getting some confirmation now. Please stay on the line. We are getting confirmation now.
- [20:10] Wayside on the line. I'm on the line over.
- [20:12] This is Situation Room still on the line standing by. I read you loud and clear. Nothing further for you yet.
[20:24]- Wayside. This is Situation Room. We have ah conflicting reports now, so we have no confirmation. 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.
[20:44] Okay This is Wayside. Out.
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 10.
[20:58]
- 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.
[21:09]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 11
[21:13] - Andrews. Sideband. Airman Gilmore.
- Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson at State again. Can you get me Seven Two again?
- Can you say again, sir, you are very, very week.
[21:20] - This is Murray Jackson at the State Department.
- Yes sir?
- I talked to 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.
[21:35] - 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.
[21:55]- Yes sir, I believe they 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, We’ll relay that as soon as possible.
- Thank you very much.
[22:10]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 12
[22:16] - Andrews sideband, Airman Gilmore.
- Airman Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson again at the State Department.
- Yes sir?
[22:20] - 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 who has called and also said that the plane and all its passengers should return immediately to Washington, rather than Dallas.
[22:50]- Standby sir.
- I'll give you a patch to the aircraft.
- All right.
............
[23:07]- 86972. 86972. Andrews.
- Andrews. Loud and clear. Loud and clear. You have Mister Jackson on the line. Would you give him a call sir?
- Mister Jackson, 972. 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 aboard the aircraft return to Washington immediately. Over.
[23:34] - 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.
- [23:50] Okay. Thank you.
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 13
- [23:55]
- Start again please, the party is on.
- Be advised there’s another patch from Wayside. Do you want 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.
(22:43) [24:47] - The President is dead. Is that correct?
- That is correct. That is correct. New subject. Front Office desires plane return Washington with no stop Dallas. Over.
- Copy. Wayside, copy. All okay. We return direct to Washington without stopping in Dallas. Roger out.
- This is Situation Room, out.
[2507]
LBJ Library Reel 1 Side One - Patch 14
[2517]
- Andrews, give me the Situation Room please.
- 972 Andrews, standby, one sir.
- Crown on.
[2523]- Situation Room please.
- Thank you.
- (phone ringing) Yea?
- Is this the Situation Room?
- Yes.
- This is sideman, I have 972 sideband for another patch sir.
- 972 again.
- This is Situation Room.
- Standby sir.
- 972, I read you.
[25:47]- This is Situation Room. Over.
- Situation Room, 972. Wayside would like to know the whereabouts of the Vice President. Over.
- Yes (Background conversation) Alright...He wants to know where the Vice President is in Dallas...right.
- Ah, for Wayside, from Situation Room. The Vice President is in the hospital building, Parkland Hospital, in Dallas. He is not injured. I repeat, not injured. Over.
- I copy. I will call you right back.
[26:28]- Right.
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch #15
[2638]
- Liberty standing by.
- Andrews, 26000. Standby to take off.
- 26000.
- Andrews, 972, Command Central...
- Roger....stand by for SAM Command.
-
[27:02]- I have 972 for a patch.
- All right. Go ahead.
- 86972, Andrews, Command time, go ahead sir.
[27:16]- 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 quick as we can get the enroute time and on the ground time, we will give you an ETA for Washington.
[27:30]- Roger, Roger 72. Can you give me your present ETA for Hickham?
[27:34]- In about 45 minutes was the last one that I heard. It should be twenty-thirty Zulu... I’ll get you a more accurate one if you’ll stick around a little bit...
[27:50]- Zulu over.
- Roger, Roger. As far as you know right now you’re coming directly to Washington? Is that affirmed?
[2801]- That is correct. Over.
- Roger 72. Give us any changes that you have sir.
- Okay, will do.
[28:11}
- 26000. Andrews.
- Loud and clear sir.
- Roger, you are both loud and clear.
[28:26]-I hear you both loud and clear.
- 26000, do you copy my teletype?
- 26000 is...outbound.
- Okay. I guess he’s too busy over there.
[28:38]- Right.
- You might want to check with him to make sure that he’s getting though.
[28:42]- 26000. Andrews, coming up.
- Okay, standby. -
[28:50]- 26000, check please.
- 26000 Andrews. Loud and clear.
- 26000 Andrews. Loud and clear.
- We’ll be moving out pretty soon.
[29:00]- 86972. Right sir. Standing by.
[29:08]
- 972 Andy, 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 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?
[29:28]- 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 frequencies, in case you do drop out, what frequency we’ll have standing up on waiting for your call.
[29:48]- Okay, do that. Get them all set up. I might not be able to keep it open.
- Roger. Standby One.
[29:54]- Okay, Liberty? Yea, we got One Three and One Five up right now, besides this one going through you. I don’t know if One Three is going to be all 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?
[30:13]- I’ll be on One Eight, One Five and One Three. And we can hold him on eighteen for a while because we got Newport Jerry up there.
[30:23]- Right. Do you have another one, a little bit lower maybe?
- We’ll drop down from eighteen to fifteen to thirteen.
[30:30]- How about Tripple One?
- We have that too.
- Tripple lower?
- Ah, on the sideband.
- Okay, I’ll tell him we’ll be on eighteen, thirteen, fifteen and Triple One, all uppers, right?
[30:45]- All right.
- Except this one, we’re on lower.
- Go ahead.
- Okay.
[30:51]- 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 Four Seven upper and this frequency One eight zero two seven, lower, sir.
[31:18]- Okay, very good, I’ll keep in touch.
- Roger
[31:15]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 16
[31:21]
-86972 Go ahead.
- Air Force Command Post, this is mission 137, mission One, Three, Niner, arriving Honolulu Two Two diagonal, Two Six, Zulu, ATV, Two One One five Zulu for Andrews, over.
- 86972, Roger, Andy, copy and standing by sir.
- Okay, I’ll be on this frequency and I’ll advise you when I leave it.
- Roger sir.
[31:43]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side One - Patch 17
[31:47]
- Two Six Thousand. 26000
- 26000 loud and clear sir.
- 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 with Jerry Behn please?
- Roger, stand by.
[32:09].......
[32:24]
- 26000. Duplex is on, go ahead.
-Standby One.
- Hello?
- Okay.
- Jerry?
- Hello?
- Go ahead.
- We’re at the airport 26000, everybody aboard.
[32:51]
END LBJ Library Reel 1, Side 1 (30:55)
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side Two – (30:57) - Patch 1
[33:12]
- Duplex - Okay, go ahead.
[33:00]- We are waiting for the swearing in at the plane before take-off.
- Of the...That’s Volunteer?
- Yes sir.
[33:07]- Say again, Roy, say again.
- We are waiting for a judge to appear for a swearing in.
- That is for Volunteer, is that right?
[33:21]- Yes. We are having it done here before we takeoff Jerry.
- That’s an affirmative. Do you have any idea yet what Lace wants to do and what Volunteer wants to do on their arrival here?
- No. But I will call you back. We have 2 hour 15 flight into Andrews. We have a full plane with at least 40.
[33:44]- Okay, go ahead.
- I’ll have to call you again as to the body, however, I’m sure the Volunteer’s party will go over...and so forth...but we will be there with several others.
- All right, let me know what Volunteer wants to do when they land. If they want to come into Crown by helicopter?
- Roger, I’ll call you again.
- Okay.
[34:14]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side 2 – Patch 2.
[34:20]
- 26000, Andrews
- Okay, go ahead.
- Stand by for Air Force One please.
[34:25]- Okay give them a call.
- Go ahead.
- Roger.
- Air Force Command Post
- Air Force Once. Can you read me?
- 26000 go ahead.
[34:40]- Can you give me Estimated Time of Departure from Dallas? Over.
- From Dallas? Go ahead.
[34:50]- Would you repeat your estimated time of departure from Dallas? Over
- Roger. It could be within the next ten minutes. Go ahead.
- Roger. Would you give me a call when you’re airborne? And can you give me any additional information?
[35:00]- Not at this time.
- Roger. Thank you.
- Will call on takeoff.
[35:07]
Clifton/Raab Tape Patch #2b (Not on LBJ Library Tape)
[35:12]
- Andrews, Air Force One.
- Air Force One, Andrews, go ahead sir.
- Andrews, Andrews Air Force Base.
[35:24]- Roger, standby.
- Air Force Command Post...Phillips sir.
- Air Force One, standby please.
- Air Force One, Andrews. Give them a call please.
[35:40]- Command Post, Air Force One, how do you read?
- Fine, sir. Go ahead.
- ...Dallas...Two, Zero, Four Seven Zulu. Will call in a couple of minutes for block time at Andrews.
- Do you have an approximate block time, sir?
[35:57]- Ah, Well, arrival will be two plus one zero go ahead.
- Two plus one zero. And do you have any passengers on board?
- Roger. Four Oh. Forty plus.
- And is Mrs. Kennedy on board?
[36:12]- Affirmative.
- What?
- I’ll call you back, Command Post.
[36:21]- All right, sir.
[36:26]- Air Force One, Andrews. I have SAM Command Post standing by sir.
- Command Post, Air Force One, go ahead.
- Stand By One Sir.
- Give Air Force One a call please.
- Air Force One. SAM Command Post go ahead.
- Roger, Roger. You called me, go ahead sir.
[36:48] - This is Colonel Hornbuckel in Operations. We have a request from the staff office. Do you have Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kennedy’s body aboard?
[37:05]- Okay, Air Force One. Affirmative on all those questions. Go ahead.
- Roger, thank you very much. Out.
[37:07]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side Two - Patch 3
[37:16]
- Air Force One for a signal check.
- Air Force One, Andrews, loud and clear.
- Loud and clear, Liberty.
- Roger.
[37:20]- Scott, loud and clear.
- Air Force One, Andrews I have...standing by.
[37:37]- 26000 26000 SAM Command Post.
- SAM Command 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.
[37:56]- Roger, Roger, I understand, departed 2-0-4-7 ETA Andrews 2-0-3-5, is that Charlie?
- That is Charlie.
- Roger, Roger Air Force One, SAM Command Post clear.
[38:04]
Clifton/Raab Patch 3b
- 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.
[38:20]- Go ahead Air Force One, this is Command Post.
- Okay, departure 2-0-4-7, estimated on the block Andrews 2-3-0-5, and we are rounding off at flight altitude 2-9-0. Go ahead.
- Roger, understand. Standby One, please.
[38:40]
Clifton/Raab Patch 3c
- One, Go ahead.
- Air Force One, this is the Air Force Command Post. If possible, request the names of the passengers on board please?
- We have forty plus. Go ahead.
- Forty people, is that affirmative?
[38:55]- That’s affirmative.
- Can you tell me in regards 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.
- All right. Can you confirm once again your takeoff time and your estimated time of arrival at Andrews?
- Two Zero Four Seven take off time...Andrews, two three zero five.
- Roger, thank you. This is the Air Force Command Post out.
[39:28]
- Call please?
- Air Force One Air Force Command Post Over.
- Roger we are estimating...two one...one...seven
[39:43]- Roger 26000 Command Post Copy
- Forecast there...
- Air Force One – 970 ...John...wants to know on the ground if you have Congressman Thomas, Thornbury and Brooks aboard? Can you check this out for us?
- Say again, say again.
- Roger...needs to know if you have Congressman Thomas, Congressman Thornbury and Congressman Brookes aboard? Could you check and see?
- Roger Standby.
[40:08]
Patch 3d
- 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.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
[40:44] Air Force One, Andrews, give them a call please.
- Crown, Air Force One.
[40:54] - This is Crown, go ahead.
[40:54]- We need a patch with Surgeon General of the Army Heaton. Go ahead.
- Please repeat the message. Over.
- We need a patch with General Heaton. H-E-A-T-O-N the Surgeon General. Go head.
- Roger, Roger. That’s General Heaton, the Surgeon General of the Army. Over.
[41:16]- That is correct.
- Roger, Roger, standby. We are reaching the general now.Over.
- Air Force One, Crown. Standby please. This is the general now, over.
- Command Post weather is 26000, please.
- Okay, Air Force One, standby.
- Roger.
- We’re in a patch 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. They're in a long patch with the White House right now.
- Right, I’ll hold.
[41:47]- Okay, sir.
- 26000
- One, Andrews.
- Roger sir...give them a call...
- Are we on....One Eight...pick up on 14 meg...
[41:59]- We could try...frequency do you have blocked out there...13 -18...also...
- Roger and One, Five, Zero, One, One.
- Roger...is that correct?
42:12]- Roger, one of them is. The other is a backup and the other is gong to be busy in a couple of minutes.
[42:16]- Roger will you ask Pete to try....
- Roger, very good.
- Roger, can you patch me with Air Force One please?
- Who is this please?
- This is Airman Stanz.
[42:26]- Standby, you are number three.
- Okay, right.
-[42:32] Will you call me back through Command Post
- Because this is taking quite a while and there’s no sense you holding onto the line….We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
- This is in regards to the Forecast...go ahead.
- Say again.
- This is landing forecast
- Okay, right sir.
[42:50] –
LBJ Library Tape Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 4
[43:02]- Air Force One, Crown. Hello?
- Give Crown a call please.
- Air Force One, this is Crown, do you read me? Over.
- Roger, Roger, Crown. Air Force One.
(9:45) [43:15]
- - Hello?
[43:20]
- Air Force One, this is Crown. You were cut out. General Heaton is at Walter Reed Hospital. You will have to stand by just a moment or else let me call you back when I get him on the line. It will take about a minute to reach him.
[43:30]- 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 one. Go ahead.
- This is Crown. Roger. Will you standby, and have me call you back? Over.
- This is very important.
- Roger. I’ll put an emergency on it and we will get him as soon as possible.
- Standby.
[43:59]- Roger, Roger.
- We are still standing by.
- Roger.
- I’ll give you call in just a while, we have another patch.
- Air Force One Andrews Roger.
- ...Air Force One, go ahead.
[44:15]-...Air Force One, Crown.
- ...standby for a message.
[44:20]
[44:27]- ...This is Dr. Burkley...
- 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.
[44:42]- 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 locat. Still searching. Over.
[44:54]- 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 each one of them. If you’ll standby please.
[45:15]- All right. 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.
LBJ Tape (11:45) Clifton/Raab Tape [45:42]
- Roger Stand by One.
- (female switchboard operator).
- Can you give me White House switchboard, please?
[45:44]- Thank you.
- Signal.
- Right...ah...are you still on?
- Crown, I have Air Force One for a patch.
- Roger, Roger...Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead sir.
[4602]...Air Force One Crown come in?
- Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on go ahead sir.
- ...Call into Duplex please
- Roger, Roger, Locating.
[46:28] Air Force One Andrews Copy Andrews Sir
[46:44] (Dots and dashes in background)
- Air Force One One Five Andrews.
[47:03]Air Force One Andrews you are transmitting one three Sir
- Roger, Roger, how about the patch into Crown?
- Crown is on.
- Will you get a hold of Duplex for us please?
[47:18]- Roger, Roger. Duplex is on the line, go ahead.
[47:30]- Jerry? ...(Static)...Jerry we are arriving Andrews...eight oh five...six oh five rather.
- Can receive, go ahead.
- Helicopter...Johnson party...south lawn.
- [47:53] Say again, say again.
- Air Force One Andrews, the patch line is not as good...
- You are very week on one five. Can you take me one five lower sideband?
- One five lower?
- [48:20] This frequency lower sideband. Lower sideband.
- Can you take me down frequencies?
- This is Duplex, this is Duplex.
- [48:30]Arrival Andrews, Six-Zero-Five, standby.
- [48:51]...Ambulance to take body to Walter Reed.
- Repeat please, Repeat please.
- Walter Reed, ambulance to transport body to Walter Reed. Over.
- Say again.
- Ambulance to Walter Reed, body....to transport body.
- [49:14] Arrangements have been made for a helicopter for the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Over.
- [49:30] Stand by Jerry we’ll have to get Berkley again.
- ...four, oh five, X...
- [49:46] Say again, I cannot read, I cannot read.
- Stand By.
- He’s on Lower.
- Can you read me now?
- [50:00] That’s good.
- Air Force One Andrews, one five lower.
- Air Force One Andrews One five lower, do you read sir?
- We have them at one thee and one five, go ahead.
- We've got them on one three and one five and we’re trying to run two patches at the same time.
- [50:40] Okay we’ll try to get them back on one five.
- Go ahead.
- Air Force One Andrews. I have your party on but having trouble reaching them on this frequency. Do you read me sir?
- Air Force One on fifteen.
- [51:00] Andrews Good and readable.
- We read you but your party on patch is way down.
- We have your party on, do you still want to talk to them?
- Go ahead Air One This is Duplex.
[51:30]
- Arriving Andrews, Fifteen, Zero, Five, rather…
- Have received.
- Air Force One.
- Duplex is on [51:35]
- Duplex is on. This is Dr. Burkley. What arrangements have been made with regard to the reception of the President?
[51:50] - 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.
[52:02]- The body will be choppered or will go by ambulance to the Navy Medical Center?
[52:08]- Will be choppered, will be choppered.
(17:38) [52:15]
- I’ll call General Heaton and ask him to...Washington in regards to this. Would you call him and cancel the...have him go to Walter Reed...I didn’t know these arrangements were already made.
[52:34]- 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. [52:44]
- Alright. I’ll tell Captain Shepard that.
[52:55]- Be sure to contact...General Heaton.
[53:00] Say again doctor say again.
- Hello?
- Hello. Say again please?
- ....mortuary type ambulance.
- Say again doctor.
[53:20]
………………
[53:40] - Hello sir
- Hello, hello this is Air Force One.
- Put Mr. Behn on again.
- He is standing by. We are having trouble reading you.
[53:50]- Can you check me through Liberty on nine zero?
- Stand by for a call from Andrews, stand by for a call from Andrews, nine zero.
- Stand by Crown, Come in.
[54:10]- Air Force One, this is Crown Come in.
- Air Force One, this is Crown come in,
- Air Force One,
- Roger Crown.
-Roger, I have Gen. Heaton standing by.
- Hello?
[54:31]- Crown, I am putting Gen. Heaton on the line. Over
- General Heaton?
- Air Force One Crown, go ahead. General Heaton on the line.
[54:40]- Hello, General Heaton?
[54:50]- Yes, General Heaton
[54:58]- General Heaton, this is Admiral Burkley.
- Yes, Burkley?
- On Air Force One.
- Yes.
- Air Force One Andrews give General Heaton a call. Go ahead.
- General Heaton this is Admiral Burkley, do you read? Go ahead.
- Hello?
[55:17]- General Heaton this is Dr. Burkley.
- Yes Burkley?
- ...Miltary District of Washington in regards to the taking care of the remains of the President Kennedy and we are planning on having the president taken directly to Walter Reed. Ah Probably Mrs. Kennedy will probably also be going out there. But we will clarify that later.
[55:45]- Oh, all right.
- Hello?
- Can you hold for just a minute please?
- Sure
[55:55] - Gen. Heaton, this is the operator at Andrews. When you are on the radio talking back, only one party can talk at a time. When Admiral Burkley is talking, you cannot. You have to wait for him to reply.
- Okay, Thank you.
- Hello?
[56:12]
- Air Force One Give General Heaton a call at this time.
[56:21]
- General Heaton is on, this is Admiral Burkley.
- Yes, Burkley?
- Air Force One.
- Yes?
- Can you read me?
[56:30]- I read you Admiral Burkley.
[56:40]- Hold for a minute, please. General Clifton here…
[57:00]- Ah...this is General Clifton.
- Yes General Clifton?
- We do not want a helicopter for Bethesda Medical Center. We do want a 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.
[57:27] - 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.
[57:45]- That is correct....
- I’ll hold on.
[57:56] What did he say?
- Air Force One Andrews standby.
- Roger.
- Air Force One. Will you repeat your last transmission you faded out sir
- Okay Stand by One.
………………………
[58:28] General Heaton? This Clifton over.
- Yes General Clifton.
- Hold on for a minute, over.
[58:38] Very well, I’ll hold on.
......................
[58:50]- Air Force One?
- Air Force One, Andrews. Go ahead sir.
[58:57]- Okay, I think your patch was cut there on thirteen.
- Air Force One, its still in progress, will you give the ground party a call sir.
[59:00]- How do you read Andrews?
(20:07)[59:08]
[59:17]
- One Liberty, Copy Andrews?
-...Arrangements have been made....
...........
[59:43]- Air Force One. Liberty.
- General Heaton.
[59:50]- Stand by General Heaton. They are getting someone on the aircraft.
- Liberty, nine seventy, give me a call fifteen.
- Dr. Burkley?
- Nine seventy?
[01:00:00]
- Hello? Jerry?
- Go ahead Heaton.
[01:00:15]- What arrangements have you made?
- We have 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. We will have to clear that before we make any further.
[01:00:42]- (background conversation) A limousine and ambulance at Andrews.
- Air Force One, say again your last transmission...
……………………
- Hello Andrews? This is Crown.
………………………
(21:12) [01:01:13]
- Crown, go ahead.
- Ah, we have Captain Shepard here who also has evidently made some arrangements on the funeral and so forth here in Washington, and the 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 that they can all make the arrangements together. I understand that Captain Shepard, the Naval aide, has made some arrangements also. So you might explain this to Air Force One and we can try to put them on a conference, if they like.
- Okay standby, we’ll advise Doctor Burkley.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
(21:59) [01:01:58]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 6
[01:02:04]
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
............(background conversation)
- Air Force One, Liberty
[01:02:50]
- Andrews to Liberty, stand by One please.
- Liberty
[01:03:19]
- Liberty to Andrews, go ahead.
- Did you copy the full 9-7-2 off of Hickman? 2-1-1-1 Zulu, estimated Andrews Zero Five Three Zero Zulu, ultimate...
- Liberty, Andrews, Roger.
- Forward that to Air Force One.
- Liberty, Andrews, Roger.
…………………………………
[01:03:38]
.......Dead Air..........
[01:04:02] - Air Force One Andrews Copy?
[01:04:12]
- Andrews Air Force One off fifteen.
- Let’s run a patch to Jerry Behn on this frequency.
- I have a patch in progress. I have General Heaton standing by sir.
- Roger. Will you take the general off for a moment.
- Roger, stand by.
- General Heaton will you hold on?
- You want me to hang on?
- Please hold the line.
- Please notify Air Force One we have Capt. Shepard for a phone patch with them if they can possibly take it, which ever one they want to put through first.
- [01:04:51] Okay.
- [01:05:00] Please call on this frequency, go ahead sir.
- Air Force One, Andrews, give Duplex a call please.
- Ah Duplex, Duplex? This is....Hello?
- Hello, Air Force One, Air Force One. This is Crown, Duplex dropped off, how do you hear me now?
- This is Watchman five by five, over, give Duplex....
- Roger
[01:05:38]
LBJ Tape Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 7
[01:05:50]
- 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....type ambulance to take Mrs. Kennedy to Bethesda is this correct? Over.
- Watchman. It has been arranged to helicopter, helicopter the body to Bethesda. Over
[01:06:20]
- This is Watchman. Okay if it isn’t dark. What about the First Lady? Over.
[01:06:29]
- Everybody else aboard, everybody else aboard, arrangements have been made to helicopter into the South Ground.
- Watchman...helicopter operation will work when we have a very heavy casket. Over.
[01:06:47]
- Ah, according to Witness, yes.
- This is Watchman. Don’t take a chance on that. Also have a mortuary type ambulance stand by in case the helicopter doesn’t work.
[01:07:12]- That’s affirmative. Over.
- 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.
[01:07:43]- Also, by the right rear, on no, the left rear, the left rear of the aircraft, where we usually dismount, de-bark, we may 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.
[01:08:00] - Say again, say again Watchman.
- All right, 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 back there to remove the casket. But if this is too awkward, we can go along with a normal ramp and several men. Over.
[01:08:31]- Affirmative. We will try for the fork lift.
- All right. Next item. Duplex, Duplex. Ah....The press, according to Mr. Johnson, the press is to have a normal, little fence at Andrews field, and he is going from there by helicopter to the White House. Over.
[01:08:55]- Say again, Watchman, say again please.
- Watchman, this is Duplex, say again.
- For the press, the normal little corral, it will have to be in front of the aircraft, because that is where President Johnson will come off. Okay?
- Watchman this is Duplex. Will you say that all over again please?
- Duplex this is Watchman. 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 left 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...press arrangements...all right.
- Did everybody get that clear? Over.
- That is affirmative. [01:10:08]
- Hold on, ...Tillerman would like to talk to you.
- Watchman, Watchman, 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 to, no negative....Have them call the White House. President Johnson wants to 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 please...
- I got it.
[01:11:01]- you got it?
- (non-broadcast 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 available at the White House at 18-30. Over.
- That is affirmative Watchman. That is affirmative.
[01:11:34] - Repeat that to me.
- All the leaders of Congress, as many cabinet members as possible at the White House at 18-30
- The key members of the White House staff. That is Sorrensen, Bundy, ettcetera.
- Okay.
- That is correct.
- Hold on for Kellerman.
- Roger
- Break.
- Go ahead.
- Go ahead Roy, this is Duplex.
[01:12:19]
- Up there.
- Air Force One say again please.
- ...helicopter...
- Did you get that operator?...
- Negative...
[01:12:58]
(Fade out – Clifton Tape – (Audo 1)ends .
BEGIN GPO-NARA-JFK-ASSASSINATION AUDIO-2 (1)
[00:00]
...........
[00:08]- Stand by One please.
[00:14]- Air Force one, Andrews, say again, say again please
[00:24].....helicopter Johnson...party, transportation....
[00:29]- Did you get that operator?
- Have him repeat it.
- Air Force One, repeat, repeat.
[00:36]- Duplex,... helicopter,...Johnson and party...for the White House....okay?
[00:50]- Ah, repeat, repeat that, Duplex did not copy.
-...helicopter transport....Johnson party to White House.....
-[01:06]] Did you get that?
- No, call him back.
[01:18]- Digest, Digest, this is Crown, you are breaking, you are breaking.
.....
[01:26] - Air Force One, this is Andrews. Can you change position, you have a bad position there...
- Stand by..................
[01:38].....................
LBJ Library Tape : Reel 1 Side 2 - Patch 8
[01:56]
- Digest to Duplex, come in.
- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
- ...sir.
-[02:10].....helicopter Johnson and party....
......................
-[02:23] ....Tell them everyone will be choppered into the South grounds.
-[02:39]- Digest, Digest, come in...
-...........
[02:46]- Digest Digest, this is Duplex, say again.
- .......four, five, x......
[03:00] - Did you read that?
- Negative
- Ask him to repeat.
[03:08]- Digest, Digest, repeat
-.......................
- I understand you are ordering two cars, two cars, is that a Roger?
[03:20]
[03:32]- Stand by we are going to try to fix the mic aboard the plane.
-..............
[03:45] - Request you change position. You are coming in busted. You are coming in completely busted.
- How's this?
- Go ahead with your traffic.
[03:58] - Again I repeat, two helicopters to....transport people to White House Lawn.
- That's an affirmative.
[04:13] - Roger, okay. White House 102 and 405x, for transportation to Navy hospital, okay?
[04:21]- That is affirmative.
- That’s a Roger. I am keeping ah...I will join Hill and his party at the Navy Hospital. Okay?
[04:28]- Digest, this is Duplex. You accompany the body aboard the helicopter?
- Roger, request, I was unable to get a hold of Behn and Bob Burke.
- Go ahead, I receive.
[04:50]- Air Force One, Andrews go Ahead Sir.
[05:00] - This is Digest again Duplex.
- Go ahead Digest. This is Duplex.
- Behn and Burke at the ranch, okay?
- Say again Digest.
- ....Burke were not notified.
- Okay.
- Say again sir.
- That's an affirmative Digest.
- Okay, Jerry, Stand by.
END of (LBJ Library) Tape – Reel 1, Side 2 (30:57)
AIR FORCE ONE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS
LBJ Library Tape Reel 2, Side 1 (29:42) Patch 1
[04:50] This is Digest.
-Say Again, Sir. (third voice – radio operator).
[05:22] - That is affirmative Digest.
[05:28]- Okay, Jerry. One more....Standby.
- Okay one more...number Two....is on six, nine, seven oh.
[0540]- Right.
- Go ahead Digest.
[05:50]- Say again sir. (radio operator)
- Go ahead Digest
[05:52]- 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.
[06:06]- That’s a Roger, but hold on.
- I got....oh, is it? (muffled background conversation)...the aircraft...good.
- Digest for Duplex. Go ahead.
[06:28]- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
[06:35] - Did you call Dr. John Walsh in Washington and advise him of our arrival?
- That is affirmative.
- Okay.
- Where does Lace want Dr. Walsh to meet her? Where?
[07:00]- Say again sir.
- Digest, this is Duplex. Where does Lace wish Doctor Walsh to meet her?
[07:07]- 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.
[07:28]- Digest. This is Crown. I have Witness standing by.
- Get up, hang up, ah. There’s another call here.
- Digest?
- Hello?
- Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?
- Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?
[0753]- Stand by Crown. (radio operator)
- Air Force, Air Force One, Andrews. (radio operator)
- Negative Crown, negative Crown.
[08:00]- 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 for Behn.
- Air Force One, Air Force One, this is Crown repeat.
LBJ Library Tape Reel 2, Side One - Patch 2
[08"39]
- Andrews, Copy.
- 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.
[0853]- Let me patch in for Air Force Weather so he'll know.
- I already told them that earlier.
[09:00]- Go ahead sir.
- Go ahead sir.
- Weather’s on.
- Hello sir?
- We’re running two patches at one time to Air Force One right now from 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.
[09:21]- Okay, ah, he needs that temperature before he gets there.
- Right sir. They should be done pretty soon. They’ve been on it for quite a while now.
- Air Force One. Loud and clear. Okay
- ....Standby and we’ll have General Heaton come on this other line.
- Roger Sir, I have Command Post weather has been trying to get a patch. Can we run it at this time, sir?
- Command Post? I have weather.
- Roger.
- Weather’s on. Go ahead.
- Weather is on Air Force One, give them a call please?
[10:00](4:50)- Weather, Air Force One, go ahead.
- 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 twenty 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 Andrews. If you are ready to copy, over.
[10:36]- I will have to call you back on it.
- Roger.
- Okay I’ll call you right sir.
- Okay.
- Whose this?
- Hello?
- Hello?
- Hello Crown?
- Hello Crown?
[10:55]
[11:00]
[THE LEMAY REFERENCES - Not on LBJ Library Tape]
- Andrews Sideband. Sir?
- This is Colonel Dorman, General LeMay’s aide.
- Right.
- General LeMay is in a C-140
- The last three numbers are 497 - SAM.
- 497 last three numbers.
- Right. He is in bound. His code name is Grandson, and I want to talk to him.
- Grandson. Okay sir, we'll see what we can do. We’re real busy with Air Force One right now.
- Okay. You don’t have the capability to work more than one, huh?
- We're running Air Force One on two different frequencies.
- We're running two patches at once and that's all we can do.
- What is your drop sir? Are you on the drop off the Washington switch?
- Either three oh three or seven, nine, two, two five.
- Seven Nine two two five.
- If you can’t do it now it will be too late because he will be on the ground in a half hour.
- Okay, and what is your name again sir?
- Colonel Dorman. D-O-R-M-A-N
- Okay, I’ll try to get back to you...if we can get him right away sir.
- Right
......................
- Air Force One, Andrews, copy sir?
- Air Force One, Andrews, copy sir?
...................
[12:30]
[12:38]
- Go ahead
- Go ahead Liberty.
- Two three three for Andrews. He was....
- That’s an affirmative.
- What does he want on eighteen.
- But I can’t right now I’m too busy.
- Okay.
- What does he want on eighteen.
- .....but I can't now I'm too busy.
- Okay.
[13:36]
- Can we go lower.
- 86972 Copy
- Loud and clear, stand by One sir.
-
- How do we s
- We have Crown standing by, weather standing by, and you...
-
[14:12]
-
- Give us a call when you get through.
-
- [14:37] Also have Liberty come up on five.
- Copy.
- Sideband.
- This is ...Command Post, I'd like to have a patch with...
[15:00]
- Nab 3-0 – N-A-B-
-Okay sir.
[15:20] - Air Force One. Copy sir.
- Liberty. Loud and clear.
-
[15:30] - Roger Liberty. Loud and clear.
- (Static)
[15:35]- Roger, Roger, okay, Take.... Correction. Take this and relay it for me and then I want to patch it...
- ......
[15:53]- Liberty. Air Force One?
- Air Force One. This is Andrews go a head..
- Air Force One, Andrews, go ahead sir.
- Okay, you can set up Command Post and all people concerned. Bring up to two, three zero, zero zulo.
- 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...unless its important.
[16:18]- Roger. Stand by One.
- ...bring up to nine zero...
- Air Force Command Post. Major Benson.
[16:37]- Right. Can I have weather please?
- Just a minute please.
- Weather on.
- Right Sir, I have Air Force One. He’s real busy and he wants to know how severe this weather warning is?
- It’s for tornadoes. That’s pretty severe.
- Okay. Hold on.
- Right.
[17:00] - Air Force One. Air Force One. Andrews.
- Air Force One, Air Force One, Andrews.... Do you copy sir?
...........
[17:31]
- Do you read six, seven. Six, seven?
- Read...Loud and clear.
- Air Force One. Andrews. Loud and clear.
- I have the weather on and weather is pretty important sir. Will you give them a call sir?
- Air Force One, go ahead now please.
- All right. Break in weather.
[17:50] - 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.
[18:00]- Roger, What area was that? I didn’t get it before.
- This is for an area forty miles west of Greenwood, Mississippi to twenty miles west of Glanville, Arkansas, and one hundred twenty miles east of both of those locations. It is on your flight path. Over.
- That is twenty miles east of both of those locations, is that correct?
- Right. If you draw a line from Greenwood to Glanville, and a hundred twenty miles east of that line.
- Okay.
- Your due landing temperature at landing at Andrews six two, sixty two degrees.
- Roger that. Thank you. Over.
[18:44]
LBJ Library Tape Reel 2 Side One - Patch 3
-Yes
-Stand by One.
..............
[19:15]
- Stand by One.
- Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- This is Dagger on Air Force One, to Crown.
[19:37]- Roger, Roger. I have Freedom pardon...I have Witness standing by for a patch.
- We’ll have Witness in one minute. Could we go ahead with traffic for Bain now.
- Roger. You have someone calling Behn. Is that a Roger?
[20:00]- This is Dagger calling Behn.
- Stand by.
- Dagger.
- Duplex is on, go ahead.
- Dagger to Duplex
- This is from Volunteer and Victoria relative to activities tonight.
[20:20] - Go ahead Dagger, this is Duplex. You are aware that we will go to Crown for meeting?
- That is affirmative.
[20:35]- Go ahead
- Crown, Crown.
[20:45]- Air Force One Andrews go ahead sir.
- ...Volunteer will reside at Valley for an indefinite time. I repeat Volunteer will reside at Valley for an indefinite time. Victoria requests that Venus go to Valley with agents.
- Will you say again? Will you say again? Venus will go to Valley with agents?
[21:28]- 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.
[21:42]- 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.
[22:05]- Okay, okay.
[22:18]- Do you have anything more for us now?
- That’s a negative.
- Okay.
- We are running
[22:49].........
LBJ Library Reel 2 Side One - Patch 4
- Andrews to Crown.
[23:05] - Will you give me a patch into Crown please?
- Roger, Standby One.
- White House. (operator picks up phone).
- Roger. Standby for Air Force One.
- Roger.
(11:08) [23:35] - Air Force One. Andrews. Crown.
- 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.
[24:08] - Roger. Roger, Crown understands. Anything further? Go ahead.
- This weather is....
- Roger. Roger.
- [24:09]
- Five, seven zero Liberty.
-............
- [24:30]
- .............
- Liberty, no body is on except...go ahead.
- Forcast for Andrews ground temperature.
- Roger, We’ll get it as soon as possible here.
- Okay.
- I have traffic for Crown.
[25:10]
LBJ Library Reel 2, Side One - Patch 5
[25:06]
- ....land.
- Air Force One. Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
- Request Victoria ...repeat ...cancel .....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 ...personnel on that....do you understand? Over.
[2535]- That’s a Roger Roger, cancel commercial lines at Valley, at Valley, and install blocker circuits, blocker circuits. Is that a Roger?
- That is a Roger.
- Roger. Will Do.
[25:49]
(13:13) [25:48]
LBJ Library Reel 2, Side One - Patch 6
[2600]
- Air Force?
- Air Force One. Andrews, go ahead.
- Give me 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.
[26:25]- Roger, Roger, standby.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, how do you read me? Over.
- Crown, Warrior calling you.
(13:37) - Warrior from Crown, you are loud and clear. I am putting Winner on now to you. Roger.
-Crown?
- Hold on please.
- Air Force One stand by please.
-........
- Hello Crown?
-............
- Air Force One Stand by please.
-.......................
-[27:43] A-F One, A-F One, A-F One from Crown, I now have
...........
...........
[28:22] -.....
[28:32]- 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?
[28:45]- 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. Kennedy’s and the President’s approval?
[29:46] - 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 on this one. So there will be an arrival there, but it will be Volunteer. It will be Volunteer. Over.
[30:13]- Thank you. I will hold that information. And we can say something after you arrive. Hold it just a second. Let me look through my list of questions. Is it true that the body of President Kennedy will go to Bethesda Naval Hospital?
[30:30]- That is a Roger, that is a Roger, but we are not saying that yet. Over.
- Well we’ve 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.
[30:51]- So far as the there is no objection on the south lawn.
- Should it be live?
- 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?
[31:20] - 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 Volunteer that he will make at the airport. Over.
[31:56] - I understand you. Okay, over and out.
- Don’t go out on me yet. Are you still there Winner?
- 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).
[32:08]- (muffled conversation).
[32:29]- Winner, Winner, this is Warrior, the...you can announce that on arrival, on arrival, he will meet with...at the White House...
....
[32:48]...later he will meet with the leadership, with the leadership. Did you read that? Over.
- Yes I did read that.
[33:00]- Wait a minute. You are breaking badly. I cannot read.
- Yes, yes. I understand, and I will announce.
....
[34:00]
- Very good Winner. Now wait a minute, there is something else I am getting from Clifton I want to relay to you. Hold on.
....
- I can’t hear you at all.
- I can’t hear you at all Mac. Repeat.
- Repeat compelte statement.
-....Over.
- I cannot read you. Will you repeat? Will you repeat your complete statement, your entire statement?
[34:00] - My entire statement I will repeat. They said that on arrival at the house, the president will meet with McNamara 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, I’m getting a time on that, that’s eight o’clock, he will meet with leadership... at eight o’clock, at eight o’clock. Did you read that? Over.
- I read it. Now is that bipartisan leadership or Democratic leadership?
[34:55]- That is wholly bipartisan, wholly bipartisan.
- I understand you.
- Hold on for some other information. Do you mind holding Andy?
[35:06]- No go right ahead.
- 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, as it develops? Over.
- Yes, over and out.
[35:30]
LBJ Library Reel 2, Side One - Patch 7
[35:40]
- Air Force.
- Air Force One. This is Crown.
- This is Warrior to Crown, Crown, are you reading? Over.
- This is Crown, loud and clear.
[35:56]- 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 A-F One.
- This is Watchman. Over.
- This is Crown. Go ahead.
- Can you put Mister Bundy on?
[36:20] - A-F- One. 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.
[36:50]- This is Watchman...
- ...Mac...second and secretary McNamara at six thirty at the White House. If Mr. Rusk is in town....Mr. Rusk....If he is not in town we do not, we do not, negative, we do not want the acting secretary. Over.
- Correct. Will you tell him that the acting cabinet will be at the airport to greet him. He can bring McNamara and me in his chopper to the White House. Over.
[37:19] - That is correct. That is all right. We can do that. Take another message. Over.
- Yea.
- Secondly. I talked to Jerry Behn about a White House staff meeting. There will be No, negative, no White House staff meeting tonight, that will be tomorrow.
[37:40]- Correct. I have it. Let me repeat your message. Over.
- Okay.
- First that the President wishes he 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 a White Staff meeting 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. Over.
- Does he wish us to arrange that?
- He wants you to arrange that. Two meetings tonight. MacNamarea and Bundy, and the leadership.
- Does he mean only the Democratic leadership only? Over.
- Bipartisan leadership; and I’ll give you some names. Over.
- Right Over.
- Speaker of the House. [John McCormak]
- Yea.
- Carl Albert.
- Carl Albert.
- Hal Boggs.
- Yea.
- Charles Halleck
- Wait a moment. Say that one again.
- Leslie Arends
- Arends. Yea.
- (From) the Senate. Are you listening? Over.
[38:54] - 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.
- Right. Over.
- Mansfield.
- Right.
- Humphrey
- Yea.
- And Dirksen
- Hang on, hold it. Wait a moment. I have the first three, over.
[39:19]- 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.
[39:51]- 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 and Smatters, there is Dirksen, Kuchel and Hickenlooper.
(24:03) [40:00]- Yea
- 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 the Cabinet Room is under rearrangement, but the Oval Room will be ready. Over.
[40:25] - 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.
[40:47] - 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.
- That is correct. 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.
[41:09]
LBJ Tape Reel 2, Side One - Patch 8 –
[41:18]
- Air Force One
- Air Force One
- This is Warrior to Crown, Crown
- Are you reading? Over.
- Warrior, Warrior. This is Crown. Loud and clear.
[41:44] - Hold for transmission from 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?
[42:00]- Give you who sir?
- Andrews?
- Who did you want to give a call?
- To Crown. White House.
- One moment.
[42:12]- White House. (Male voice)
- Roger. Stand by for Air Force One.
- Roger.
- Air Force One White House on.
- How do you read? Over.
- Air Force One this is Crown, you are loud and clear, go ahead.
- White House, White House, this is Warrior, will you give me another patch to Winner, Another patch to Winner.
- Roger, Standby.
- We are still standing by for Crown.
[42:42]- 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.
43:00]- That’s a Roger.
- Air Force One, Andrews.
- Crown, Crown. This is Warrior. Over.
- Warrior, Stand by. Winner is still in another patch, Winner is 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.
- Standby One.
- Hello Andrews?
- Yea?
- Will you break in for me?
- Yes.
- Warrior? Crown.
- Crown, give him another call?
[43:53] - Warrior, Warrior, this is Crown.
- Go ahead Crown.
- Warrior, this is Crown. We are having some difficulty in locating ah, Winner. Would 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?
- I was just up there….
- How about bringing that thirteen through Liberty on the nose, and come back with it?
- Roger Stand by.
- Okay and Andrews,...two three zero five to Air Force Command Post and all concerned.
- Roger, Over.
..........
[44:33]
..........
[45:40] Volunteer wants a patch to Mrs. Rose Kennedy as soon as possible, go ahead.
[45:40]
- Understand, Volunteer wants....
- While I am working on that will you get Confirmation on - discontinued to direct lines to White House.
- Will check that out.
While you are checking on that I will work on Mrs. Kennedy for Volunteer.
[4640]
- That is affirmative, confirmation on your request.
- That is affirmative.
- That is correct.
- Stand by for your party.
- Advise you to stand by for your party.
- I have a patch to Crown and I don’t want it broken.
- You are standing by.
- Please stand by.
- Standing by...
[47:00]
End of LBJ Tape Reel 2, Side 1
LBJ Tape Reel 2, Side 2 (30:06) - Patch 1
[47:40]
...................
- Now...
- Roger, Roger.
- Hello? (Women’s voice)
- [47:40]
- Just a moment, Mrs. Kennedy.
- Just one moment now please.
[47:57]- ...are you up?
- Hello? (Mrs Kennedy)
- [48:00] Just one moment now please.
- …………………………………
- …………………………………
[48:15] - Stand by 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...
- I’m reading you loud and clear.
- 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.
[48:39] - 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.
- Hello?
- Yes, Mrs. Kennedy, I have Mr. Johnson here for 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. [49:00]
- 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. Thank you very much. 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 has hung up. Go ahead.
[49:47]
- Now can you give me that patch to Walter Jenkins.
- Stand by One.
LBJ Library Tape 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?
[50:10]- Roger, I still have...standing by for Warrior.
- Okay, bring him up on Nine, please. Crown, give Air Force One a call now.
[50:27] - 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.
[51:00]- Crown, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
- Roger Warrior, this is Crown, standby for Winner. Go ahead.
[51:14] - That’s a Roger, you are loud and clear.
-...............
Warrior, Warrior, Winner is on, go ahead.
[51:39] - 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.
[52:05]- I read you.
- Did you read that Winner?
- Yes, Yes.
- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, do you read me? Over.
[52:18]- 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...
[52:35]- Crown
[52:47]- 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.
[53:00] - Air Force One do you read me, come in?
[53:15] - 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.
[53:30]- 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.
- [53:55]
LBJ Library Tape Reel 2 Side Two - Patch 3.
[54:00] - 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 Connally’s wife. Is that a Roger?
- That is a Roger.
- Roger, Roger, standby one.
- Roger, we have Dallas on the line and are trying to contact her now. Standby please.
- Standing by.
- Crown, come in.
- ......
- Roger, Roger that’s right, Standby One.
- Crown to Air Force One.
[54:48] - 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.
[55:55]- Roger, standby just a moment. A-F One, A-F 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?
- Can you hear me?
- ...reasuring...the surgeon...speaking about John...is so reassuring...how....(static)
- I can’t hear you too well.
- [55:57]Mrs. Johnson
- ...Can you hear me?
- Yes.
- (LBJ) - I know that everything is going to be all right, isn’t it?
- (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.
[56:40] - Roger. That about completes it for now.
- Roger, Roger. 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.
- Roger, go ahead.
[56:54]
LBJ Library Tape 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 departing at 2-1-4-1 Zulu.
- ....
- Roger, do you copy?
- ...this information passed to...
- ....who does this information go to? Go ahead.
(10:14) [57:40] - Say again?
- Who is this nformation passed to?
[57:50] - Air Force One, Air Force One. I read you loud and clear. I understand Three, Zero 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 presidential 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 guards, 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.
[59:00]- Crown, Air Force one, go ahead.
- Roger, Roger, stand by for a patch from Tanker, Tanker.
- Roger.
[59:25]- 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 is busy on another circuit. Stand by for Tanker.
- 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, Bahn, 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.
[01:00:30]- 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 side. Over.
- Understand. Tiger. Understand those instructions, and they all 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.
[01:01:30]
LBJ Tape: Reel 2 Side Two - Patch 5
[01:01:30]
- 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.
[01:02:25]
- 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.
- ....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.
[01:03:35]
- (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 someone will be at the residence. Is that correct?
- 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. What will the temperature be at Zulu time.
- Zulu?
- Make it 62.
- 63?
- 62.
- 62. Got it.
[01:04:50]
- 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...
- Air Force 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 television set right now.
- (women’s voice) It’s very important.
- Who’s calling please?
- ...in Dallas.
- Can you standby? Over.
- ……………………………..
- [01:06:58]
- This is Air Force One. Warrior advises he 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.
LBJ Library Tape 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?
- [01:07:10]
- SAM Command Post. Captain Benson.
- Roger, sideband on Air Force One 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 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.
[01:08:30]
END OF TAPE
