Early Presidential Emergency Facilities-Revised

 

Presidential Emergency Facility Sites
Cannonball Tower on Cross Mountain Pa.(note the tower on the summit)
Site Code Name	Other Name	Location
Cactus	Camp David	Thurmont, Maryland
Cannonball	Cross Mountain	Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Cowpuncher	Martinsburg	Roundtop Summit, WV
Cartwheel	Fort Reno	Washington, D.C.
Crystal	Mt. Weather	Berryville, Virginia
Creed	Site R (Raven Rock)	Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Corkscrew	Lamb’s Knoll	Frederick County, Maryland
Crown	The White House	Washington, D.C.

Continuity of Government (The Undisclosed Location Disclosed)

When terrorists struck the morning of September 11, 2001, Vice President Richard Cheney was whisked from his Washington office to a secure “undisclosed location.” Cheney’s undisclosed location is rumored to have been a Cold War era facility buried deep beneath Raven Rock Mountain near the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Located east of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, the Raven Rock Military Complex is also known as Site R and it was designed as the Alternate Joint Communications Center (AJCC) where senior military officials were to be taken in the event of a nuclear attack. Site R was among the first relocation facilities built in the 1950s and early 1960s as federal planners conceived of and realized a Federal Relocation Arc extending outwards from Washington where key documents and people could be sheltered during and after a nuclear exchange.

The Text Content of an article in The Hagerstown Morning Herald, July 25, 1977 is:

That silo isn’t for cattle

To the casual observer driving down Maryland Route 67 southwest of Boonsboro, the distant object on lop of South Mountain looks like a farmer’s silo.

Closer inspection would reveal that it is indeed a silo, but not the kind used to store cattle feed. This particular silo belongs to the US Navy and is one of at least three similar Top Secret Navy facilities in the Tri-State area. Two other silos are located atop mountain ridges in Pennsylvania and in West Virginia. Just what goes on inside the silos the Navy isn’t saying?

After repeated requests to the Navy for information on silos spokesman Ron Black gave this reply, “No information can be released its classified”.

According to residents of the area the Boonsboro silo was built sometime during the late 1960s. Like the others it is served by a narrow but a small road complete with guard rails. Although the Boonsboro silo is still in daily use the one located on Cross Mountain just inside the Pennsylvania state line north of Mercersburg was open earlier this year. The high chain link fence surrounding it has been ripped down and a heavy steel blast door leading into the silo was ajar recently. The silo is equipped with an elevator to each of its eight floors. Although much of the equipment inside has obviously been removed, much remains... Heavy air conditioning equipment, air filters and electrical panels are still in place. In an apparent effort to blast proof the equipment the panels arc mounted on heavy springs with coiled wire lo take up movement. The silo apparently housed offices. On the ceilings are fluorescent lamps. The floors are tiled.

Whatever goes on inside the silos it is not related to the Alternate National Military Command Center near Blue Summit Pa.? Sources at the Pentagon responsible for The Rock say they do not know anything about the Navy silos.

And until the Navy decides to talk its mysterious silos will remain one of the government secrets in the area.

The White House Communications Agency (WHCA) would play a key role in the implementation of Continuity of Government (COG) plan. The Continuity of Government is the principle of establishing defined procedures that allow a government to continue its essential operations in case of nuclear war or other catastrophic events. In 1954 a plan to implement emergency communications was developed and presented to the Secretary of Defense. A major element of this plan was an emergency relocation strategy which provided for the dispersal of essential elements of the Federal Government. This plan also addressed the necessary communications need by the President, and other Governmental agencies. Because little or no reliable communications were available in the emergency relocation areas, the Army Signal Corps was tasked with the planning, designing, engineering, installing and maintaining the communications support of this program.

These sites were constructed very quietly and actually hidden from the Public but in reality were in plain sight and visible from miles around, several of these Continuity of Government sites were built in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., these sites were designed to house large numbers of federal officials in underground bunkers while the exposed concrete towers that housed sophisticated radio equipment kept communications open among the survivors, the military, and civilian populations. These were among the first relocation facilities built in the 1950s and early 1960s as federal planners conceived of and realized a Federal Relocation Arc extending outwards from Washington were key documents and people could be sheltered during and after a nuclear exchange.

The Federal Relocation Arc included above- and below-ground sites located within a 300-mile radius of the nation’s capital. These sites were administered through the Executive branch’s White House Military Office (WHMO), while the communications personnel were attached to the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). The Early Presidential Emergency Facilities (PEF) were literally holes in the ground, deep enough to withstand a nuclear blast and outfitted with elaborate communications equipment, funds to support the sites wound their way through a circuitous route in the Defense Department. All oversight for these facilities originated in the White House Military Office.

These sites in the Arc were the key to ensuring open lines of communications were built in a network that relied upon line-of-sight microwave technology, i.e., each transmitter and receiver had to have an unobstructed line-of-sight between its nearest neighbors for the network to be viable. These microwave hops were usually no more than fifty miles apart. I’m assuming that when they did their studies they knew specifically where the main terminals were going to be and they looked for locations that they had line of sight.

The microwave system connected the primary relocation facilities and key to this new communications network plan were:

1. The White House and Camp David near Thurmont Md.

2. The hardened Alternate Joint Communications Center (AJCC) at Ravens Rock, near Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. and Ft Ritchie, Md.

3. The hardened Emergency Command Post and Relocation site for the Executive Branch of the Government at Mount Weather, near Winchester Va.

The microwave network would provide non-secure voice circuits terminating on manual switchboards, to be located at each of the primary relocation sites. The network would also provide secure teletype including the famous Moscow to Washington Hotline, and the Red Phone voice circuits between the President and the heads of all sensitive agencies. Finally the network would be capable of carrying broadcast video interfacing with the Emergency Broadcast System.

Cannonball Tower atop Cross Mt. near Mercersburg PA

Access rd. to Cannonball Tower (2010)

The concrete microwave towers would become known as the Presidential Emergency Facilities (PEF) and was built during the late 50’s early 60’s. Construction included the cylindrical tower and in some cases underground bunkers used to relocate the President, Vice President, Secret Service, and key members of the White House Staff. These facilities were all capable of withstanding a nuclear attack. The towers housed all of the communication equipment necessary to provide the emergency voice, radio and teletype communications required to continue inter-departmental communications.

Each of the sites included a 100-foot cylindrical tower, two-thirds of which was solidly built to house transmitters and receivers, supply rooms, and quarters for the skeleton staff which oversaw the facilities around the clock. The upper portions of the towers held parabolic antennas aimed towards the next facility in the network. These antennas were shielded by radio frequency-transparent Plexiglas that protected the antennas from the elements and concealed them from view while enabling radio waves to pass through. Some of these towers were connected to elaborate underground bunker complexes and entry to all of the facilities was through massive blast doors.

The microwave network which would connect Mount Weather with Camp David and Site R would be operated and maintained by the White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA). WHASA already had personnel in place at these principle relocation facilities and in 1962 would become the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). The communication network was developed, installed and maintained by WHCA, and all of the towers in this network were staffed by WHCA personnel on a continuous basis.

Locator Map

Location of the Presidential Emergency Facilities.

Because the towers were highly visible yet top secret, no official explanation of their functions were ever released. Locals near the Cannonball Tower and Camp David’s Cactus site were believed to be water tanks. People around Mercersburg thought it was a water tower. We used to buy water from the City of Mercersburg and we had a water tanker that we’d haul water back up to the mountaintop so they saw that and they saw the water tanker and they just figured that they were getting better water pressure that way.

According to Cold War communications enthusiasts, the concrete towers were designed to deflect the force of a nuclear blast, all of the towers were constructed of solid reinforced concrete and the air system was filtered so that if anything did happen all the he air intakes would be shut down and you had a filtration system. Everything was engineered with the concrete structure able to withstand a nuclear attack. All of the towers were located in remote areas so the effects of a nuclear blast would be minimal. Now there was always a possibility of problems with the antenna decks but we had spare microwave dishes that could be put in temporarily if a blast was close enough to tear off some of the dishes. We had spare dishes that we could replace any damage in a fairly short period of time.

Sites like Cactus, Crystal, Creed, Cartwheel, Corkscrew, Cowpuncher, and Cannonball were critical Continuity of Government sites during the Cold War. Their highly visible towers became part of an industrial landscape defined by telecommunications infrastructure essential to the information-based third industrial revolution. Beyond their highly function roles in the ubiquitous military industrial complex, they also were places where people worked and lived daily.  I had a lot of fun even though it was a job, I just had had a lot of fun working there. You know, the funny thing about it, I worked with people that were at Crystal, and Cadre for years after we closed down those sites. But we never discussed what went on at those locations.
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The microwave systems were the major reason for the construction of the towers; however each tower was equipped with other radio systems. There were VHF FM base stations installed for the use by the Presidential motorcade. The Secret Service and the White House Stall also used these 2 way FM handheld mobile units. There was also an HF single sideband (SSB) radio system installed in every location capable of interfacing with the Air Force One, and other airborne commutations centers like Silver Dollar worldwide. The SSB radios could transmit voice on the upper sideband and TTY on the lower sideband. Finally UHF radios to communicate with Marine One.

We closed down Cannonball in 1970 shortly after significant upgrades were installed. Changes in communications technology and Continuity of Government plans obviated the 1950s facilities. Most of us were transferred to other WHCA facilities. 

Mt. Weather remains a top secret facility and Cannonball was abandoned with its tower exposed to the elements and vandals. The tower at Cactus (Camp David), and Cowpuncher Tower were demolished and Creed Tower and both Crystal Towers have been abandoned in place at Site R and Mt. Weather respectively.

The communications equipment at Cannonball, Cowpuncher and Crystal facilities was removed in the mid 1970’s, Cadre/Creed was deactivated and all of the PEF tower facilities were officially closed on or about 1990.

The emergency Continuation of Government plan was approved in 1954 and evolved into the seven locations that that would become the core Presidential Emergency Facilities (PEF) they were all cylindrical towers. The primary source of voice communications was the use of microwave radio systems interconnecting these seven locations. The microwave routes were installed to connect relocation sites at Mt. Weather, Camp David and the Pentagon (Site R) directly to the President wherever he might be at the time of the emergency.

WHCA Communications Facilities

Site 1 Cactus (Camp David, Thurmont, MD.), the tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. The Tower was above ground level. 

Barracks, Mess Hall, and Cactus Tower (1988)

Site 2 Cannonball (Mercersburg, PA.), the tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. The Tower was above ground level.

Cannonball Tower in Mercersburg PA

Site 3 Cowpuncher (Martinsburg, WV.), the tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. The Tower was above ground level.

Cowpuncher Tower in Martinsburg WV

Site 4 Cartwheel (Ft Reno Park, Washington DC.), the tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. The Tower was above ground level.

Cartwheel Washington DC

Site 5 Crystal, East and West Towers (Mt Weather, Winchester, VA.), both towers had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. Both of the towers only had the two top levels above ground and were accessed through Mt. Weather.

Crystal West Tower (2015)

Crystal East Tower (2015)

Site 6 Creed Tower (Site R, Blue Ridge Summit, PA.), Creed tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas covered microwave dishes and other antennas. The tower only had the two top levels above ground. Creed Tower was a separate facility near Site R which housed all of the microwave equipment as well as the HF and FM radio equipment and had a separate entrance into the tower through its own blast door and tunnel at the base of the tower.

Entrance to Creed Tower near Blue Ridge Summit PA

Site 7 Corkscrew (Boonsboro, MD.), the tower had eight floors plus two levels of Plexiglas to cover microwave dishes and other antennas. The Tower was above ground level.

Corkscrew near Boonsboro MD

Government Relocation Facilities

Relocation support functions in the event of a nuclear attack, was to be provided to key members of the Government. In terms of accommodations for potential presidential habitation, primary locations such as Mt. Weather (codenamed Crystal), Greenbrier (codename Casper), Camp David (codenamed Cactus), and Site R (codenamed Cadre) were initially decorated in the 1960s with fairly basic colors, lacking any exciting elements. These areas remained untouched for many years, well into the Reagan administration, resulting in everything being essentially brand new.

Secondary locations with furnished quarters included Boonesboro, MD (codenamed Corkscrew), and Tinley Park (codenamed Cartwheel).

Cactus (Camp David Thurmont Md.), Cactus had a two-level bunker that was adjacent to the microwave tower. The WHCA switch board and communications center was located within the bunker as well as sleeping quarters, water, food, and necessary supplies needed for survival. This facility was capable of accommodating around one hundred individuals,  

 Aspen Lodge with Cactus Tower

In 1959, President Eisenhower commissioned the construction of a secret bomb shelter at Camp David, designed as a Presidential Command Center in the event of nuclear war. Concealed beneath seemingly innocent guest cabins and carved out of rock, this underground facility cost 10 million dollars at the time. This bunker was built near Aspen Lodge specifically for the President and First Family.

Personally, I can provide some insight into the POTUS apartment in the bunker at Camp David, which featured neutral-colored paint, tile, and carpet. Considering the involvement of the Navy, it is reasonable to assume that the décor in their facilities would have seen more updates compared to other sites.

Near the old Hagerstown Drive-in Theater, there used to be an upscale furniture store that had a longstanding association with Camp David. During each change of administration, a lady would be escorted into the "key cabins" to make alterations. Since this fell under the purview of the Naval Support Unit, it wasn't particularly visible. However, I often wondered if this "consultant" ever consulted the new occupants about their preferences or presented pictures to the WHMO or other staff members. Unfortunately, that store closed down approximately five years ago. Locals in the area were aware that the store supplied Camp David, and while items were purchased, when replacements were made, the old furniture, which had seen minimal use, was recovered, and removed. These pieces would then appear in the store's consignment area, without any signs indicating their origin. However, if you asked, they would gladly inform you of their source.

Layout of Aspen Lodge

There was a Command Center strategically located underneath Aspen Lodge. Accessible via elevators from various points, including the President's bedroom, it would serve as a hub for crucial decision-making during times of crisis.

Equipped with advanced communication technology, the Command Center allowed the President to be broadcast globally from Mt Weather  and connected directly into the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS).Also the WHCA microwave network provided voice and secure TTY with the Pentagons War Room at Site R for military communication in the event of war. To maintain its secrecy, extensive efforts were made to conceal the facility before a visit from Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev in September 1959.

In preparation for Khrushchev's visit, laborers worked tirelessly to cover the underground Command Center, constructing a large deck to hide the cavernous hole. Unbeknownst to Khrushchev, he stood atop a presidential relocation site as he posed for photographers on the deck.

During Khrushchev's visit, the existence of the communications tower, codenamed Cactus, was disguised as an ordinary water tower using Water Works signs. The communications tower, equipped with Microwave antennas, transmitters, and receivers, housed a detachment of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), and had multiple floors and an underground section capable of accommodating up to 150 support staff. Though the tower (Cactus) has been demolished, the underground command center at Camp David remains intact.

This underground facility was part of a larger microwave network connecting various underground locations to Camp David. Other sites in this network included Crown (The White House Situation Room), Crystal (Mt. Weather) providing audio and video to the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), and Creed/Cadre (Raven Rock Mountain Complex) connecting the War Room of the Pentagon.

Aspen Lodge swimming pool

When President Nixon decided to add a swimming pool outside the Aspen Lodge, the location he selected was directly over the bomb shelter. "Orange One", as it was called, had to be reinforced for a cost of $261,000.the money for this came from secret military funds.  The interior of the underground shelter was also redone with new beds, bedspreads, pictures, paint, and office furnishings.

When President Carter expressed concerns to Bill Gulley from the White House Milatary Aides Office (WHMO) about the cost of Camp David and considered shutting it down,  Gulley asked the President if he knew what was there.  President Carter replied "cabins".  Then Gulley "explained to him about the bomb shelter, the emergency communications center, and other facilities."

Cadre (Site R, Blue Ridge Summit Pa.), Cadre was a part of the underground facility at Site R. and was located on the 2nd floor of building C. This area housed the WHCA switchboard and communications center plus the Presidential Quarters and Office if needed due to any emergency relocation.

The WHCA space at Site R. was designated 3C58, and the POTUS office with a balcony, overlooking the ANMCC War Room, was located down the hall in the 'D' corridor. The living quarters were across the hallway from the office space. 

Layout of site R

The WHCA mission at site R was discontinued in early 1970. The Detachment was moved to Ft Ritchie. “During the early 1970s to the mid-1980s the Fort Ritchie Det/CCT had Site R responsibilities. The CCT frequently conducted short-notice deployments into the Site, periodically checking RF and phones. There was not anything remarkable about the quarters or decorating colors. The surroundings were quite drab, but things may have changed after the CCT closed Fort Ritchie and relocated to Luke AFB, AZ. 

Entrance to Site R (Cadre)

Cadre had no windows due to being 768 feet underground, and the same black asbestos tile floor was present, which we stripped and buffed on a monthly basis. Upon entering, the lack of occupancy and poor air circulation always seemed to produce a musty odor. Other operational areas weren't as bad, but the humidity remained quite high, resulting in oxidation on door hinges and 19" equipment racks

Corkscrew (Boonsboro Md.), Corkscrew had a two level bunker that circled the towers base. The WHCA communications center was located within the bunker.

Corkscrew (Boonsboro Md.)

The President’s Office and Living Quarters were located in pie shaped rooms on the lower level of the underground facilities. This site was also furnished in the 1960’s and remained untouched for many years.

Crystal (Mt Weather, Va.), Crystal was part of the Mt. Weather underground facility. The east and west towers were accessed by inter connecting tunnels. The WHCA switch board and communications center was part of the underground facility and located in Building 13. This Facility also interfaced directly with the Civil Defense Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) located at Mt Weather allowing video interface with the WHCA microwave network.

Mt. Weather retained some serious 1960s-style furnishings that still appeared brand new in the 1980s.,

Mt Weather (Crystal West and East Towers)

Cartwheel (Washington DC), Cartwheel had a two level bunker that circled the Towers base. The WHCA secure switchboard and communications center was located within the bunker.

Cartwheel (Fort Reno, Washington DC) 

The President’s Office and Living Quarters were located in pie shaped rooms on the lower level of the underground facilities. This site was also furnished in the 1960’s and remained untouched for many years.

Crown (Washington DC). The White House

The White House (Crown)

The communications equipment at Cadre, Cannonball, Cowpuncher, and Crystal facilities was removed in the mid 1970’s. Primarily because of advancements in communications technology, these fixed locations became obsolete and were replaced in 1970 by strategically placed Communications Contingency Teams (CCT) at San Clemente CA, Key Biscayne FL, Ft Ritchie MD. and Andrews AFB MD; they were very mobile and could be deployed at a moment’s notice.

The microwave systems between Cactus, Cartwheel and Corkscrew were left in service at least through 1986, but they were only used as backup for the landlines to the White House. At least one system of the Raytheon KTR-1000 in each route was upgraded to a newer version that was partially transistorized but the rest of the systems remained all electron tubes.

During the Reagan Administration a new UHF system (AN/GRC-103 UHF FM radio with TD-660 Multiplexer 24 voice channels) was installed between Cartwheel, Corkscrew, and Cactus, but the microwave still remained operational. Cadre/Creed, although inactive all of the equipment in the tower was still operational and fully maintained.

All of the microwave routes were phased out in the early 1990's I can only assume that the FAA took over Cartwheel and Corkscrew at this time and when the tower at Cactus was demolished this brought to an end the communications network that started in 1954 and played such a major role in the Cold War.

President Nixon's Private Retreat in the Bahamas (Grand Cay 1973)-Revised

   

Big Grand Cay, Bahamas Past History
Type of Activity	Communications Support Trips
Location
Location	Bahama Islands
Date of Activity	Various
Coordinates	27°15′27.8″N 78°23′40.7″W

Bahamas Big Grand Cay

President Nixon stayed on Big Grand Cay (aka Grand Cay), Mr. Abplanalp's private 125-acre island in the Bahamas, complete with a house that Mr. Abplanalp had refurbished for the Presidents use, and for relaxation a 55-foot yacht the Sea Lion was always available for their use. President Nixon would cruise the waters in the Sea Lion a sportfishing boat that was sculpted by the talented, skilled, and prideful builders who worked for Whiticar Boatworks under the direction of the late master builder Curt Whiticar. When it first splashed in 1963, it bore the classic lines of a Whiticar — elegant, sleek, and unmistakable.

The Sea Lion was built of wood originally and designed to handle the sharp choppy seas off Florida and the Bahamas as it pursued sailfish, blue marlin, mahi mahi, tuna and wahoo. Inventor and engineer Robert Abplanalp of New Jersey owned the Sea Lion for many years and owned the island of Walker's Cay in the Bahamas as well as Grand Cay. President Nixon always stayed on Grand Cay.

The Sea Lion near Grand Cay

The "Big House on Grand Cay is a 4 bedroom and 5 bathroom vacation home with saltwater swimming pool, expansive decks overlooking tropical beaches, a deep water dock,

Besides the Main House there was also two guest ocean villas. The lead USSS agent, Military Aide and President’s Doctor stayed in one villa, and if David and Julie Eisenhower or Ed and Trisha Cox came out, they would stay in the other villa on the beach, the caretaker’s quarters, sea plane ramp, helicopter landing pad, and various other storage and utility structures.

The main feature was the setting of being on a beautiful, isolated island with a great beach. It was rare for the First Lady to accompany the President, it was normally President Nixon, Bebe Rebozo, and Bob Abplanalp in the Main House.  

The Main House, Boat Dock and USSS CP on Grand Cay

There was a small house by the boat dock for the caretaker and a small bunk house for necessary support personnel during the trip.  The USSS CP and WHCA radio room was in the same building near the front entrance of the main residence.

Main House Living Room

Main House Dining Room

Game Room in Main House

Support Staff Bunk House

VIP Beach House Grand Cay

Looking at the Big House from the boat dock

The bunk house was two small to house everyone, so the Secret Service would stay on Grand Bahama Island (GBI) near Freeport, and they would be choppered in to change shifts. Golf carts were the normal mode of transportation.

The Air Force at Homestead AFB provided an 11-man Civil Engineering Presidential support team, and it was responsible for the Ground Power Production on all trips the President made to Grand Cay. The team supported The White House Communications Agency (WHCA) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) with backup ground power on the island.

The advance team usually had 2 ground power and 2 EOD men and 3 Firemen to setup and man the helicopter pad as well as 4 Secret Service men for a total of 11 . This support team were always the first on the island. WHCA usually followed bringing the radio equipment, and the shifts of Secret Service agents would be choppered back and forth from Grand Bahama Island (GBI).

Grand Cay Island (Guest villa behind main residence on other side of the island)

The logistics to support this effort relied on helicopter support from Homestead AFB, and the US Coast Guard to bring large items aboard barges or other watercraft. The USSS always wanted to "gold plate" everything and their Grand Cay observation post near the beautiful beach was a small 14-foot Camper style trailer with a long table down the wall, and signs on the door NOT to use the toilet. Of course someone would always use it, and then the task of emptying it after a visit. The USSS decided to upgrade, and they purchased a larger trailer, maybe 18 feet. They took this to Opa-Locka, and the fabrication shop installed an extended "Bay Window" that protruded about 18-24 inches out from the normal wall. This was to allow for a better field of vision from inside this beach Command Post. We installed the appropriate radio base stations, and had a terminal to connect phone lines from Grand Cay to the small hotel style switchboard at Walkers Cay. We tested everything, the USSS signed off that it was exactly what they needed. Next step was to remove all the electronic equipment, furniture, and any weight we could remove so this trailer could be placed in a sling under a Helicopter. The USCG delivered the trailer to Grand Bahama Island, and the chopper was needed for the last 40 miles. Everyone at GBI watched as the chopper took off, we boarded a Huey to fly in formation to Grand Cay.

About 5 minutes into the flight, we saw the door fly open and break off the trailer. Soon after, the new "Bay Window" broke loose and dropped in the drink. That allowed the side to start caving in, and within another 10 miles, the only thing left was the axle hanging in the sling.

The pilot headed out to the deep ocean and dropped the load. Cost of the trailer, the fabrication, purchasing in DC and driving to Florida, meetings, and all the effort must have cost a fortune! The USSS, WHCA, and the USAF all had a big argument on the budget for this fiasco. I cannot tell you what the outcome was of these discussions.

The trip to Grand Cay was about a 25min. boat ride southeast of Walkers Cay, however in bad weather it was not safe to travel the 7 miles back to Walkers Cay. One such incident, where the weather conditions were actually bad. I found myself on Grand Cay with a Commcenter tech and we requested to be picked up. We waited quite some time and thought the hotel had forgotten us, but a little later that evening we heard a vessel arriving at the dock.  To our surprise they sent the Sea Lion to pick us up and not the 13 ft whaler.  

We were given instructions on the route between the various coral rocks and 7 mile trip to Grand Cay via a small 13 ft Boston Whaler, 2-3 of us headed out for a maintenance trip was very common, but the Commcenter had to go solo with TTY message delivery during Presidential visits. It was a major short coming because the Commcenter was located at Walkers Cay, and the President located across open water about 7 miles and sometime as much as 45 minutes away. There were plans that we could just call the Military Aide and request a helicopter for URGENT deliveries, but the few times we tested that we were forced to use our dedicated 13 ft Whaler.

Whenever the Commcenter was summoned by the Military Aid during a visit to come pick up an outgoing message from the President, Dr. Kissinger, or any other Senior Staff member. Once a message was received the WHCA Comm Center tech had to take the boat ride to Grand Cay Because of rough water, it took them over 50 minutes to arrive. They went into the living room of the "Big House" as we call it, and here were the President, Mr Abplanalp, Bebe Rebozo, and Dr. Kissinger sitting around a pool table all in swimming suits, and probably feeling no pain, had a lot of top shelf alcohol available. They were given a 7 pages of yellow legal pad written with a sharpie, arrows and paragraph numbers, and corrections, and then a couple additional pages from other documents.

It took another 50 minutes to return to Walkers Cay, and then we had to type the message for transmission to Key Biscayne who would resend to the Situation Room. From the original call until this message cleared Walkers Cay was close to 4 hours total, it was a very long message, and important, going to General Westmoreland. When the WH Situation Room received the message, they didn't have any warning, and need to verify with the Military Aide that it was real.

The Military Aid and the President were out on the beach at Grand Cay, and took another 30 minutes to get them connected. wait and see if there was a response and then return to Walkers Cay, type the message on tape, send to Key Biscayne, and then they relayed it to the White House, who then made distribution and sent it worldwide via the AUTODIN network. Author to recipient times when you add the boat trip, typing times, and relay times were awfully slow.

On Monday morning, they wanted to "hang the messenger" rather that address the real reason for the delay, the message contained immediate bombing instructions which arrived very late to implement on the suggested schedule. Still never did fix the moving of the Commcenter from Walkers Cay to Grand Cay which should have been done from day one, but WHMO had some maximum numbers for support folks on Grand Cay, weather, fire crew, Navy divers, and WHCA.

When President Nixon would travel to Grand Cay, WHCA frequently transmitted messages to all levels of the Staff. The President issued the order for the Tet Offensive effort in Viet Nam while at Grand Cay in the Bahamas. There were also many messages giving guidance for Watergate issues, once again, all on Post-It notes attached to a TTY message reply with the simple initials "RN" somewhere on the page.

The Commcenter would sometimes have to transmit long TTY messages multiple times, and then piece together to get all the garble out. Nothing worse than having the last page have a few characters missing! At 100 wpm, a very slow process. I can remember also when it was 60 wpm.

The President was actually staying on the island the day of the Watergate break-in, but there had been no communication until the President called upon his return to his Key Biscayne home on Sunday morning June 18,1972, and even then, they did not discuss the breaking news of the weekend. (Watergate break-in was Saturday, June 17)

The Attorney General John Mitchell eventually went to jail, once it was discovered he was one of the ring leaders of the entire operation.

Today, I am not sure with cellphones, emails, instant messages how Watergate would have unfolded. Seeing lots of messages in the Commcenter, and the 3M Post-It notes that were attached and sent back are very difficult to track once the reader pulls the Post-It off the document. 

Prior to Tricia's wedding in 1971, Col Harlan Priddle, WHCA Deputy CO and Comdr. Jackson, White House Mess Director were dispatched to Grand Cay Island to take pictures for Tricia and Ed to consider as a honeymoon site. Being very thorough, they checked every menu item available on the island and considered the logistics involved necessary to support the couple. The couple decided Grand Cay was a little to primitive instead decided to secretly honeymoon for two weeks at Camp David after the wedding. Operators on the Signal board were told to tell the media that the couple was NOT at Camp David. Aw, yes... lying to the media more than 50 years ago.

In 1973 we expanded the radio system I remember building and installing a new system between Walkers Cay and Grand Cay. The final leg of the was a GRC 103 UHF radio system, with a TD 660 multiplexer providing 24 voice circuits between Walkers Cay and terminating on Grand Cay.

Telephones were installed in the Main residence and both villas, as well as the bunkhouse on the island.  The Secret Service CP/WHCA radio room also had phones installed and FM Radio Consoles on Baker and Charlie frequencies. 

The GRC-104 UHF Radio system used from Walkers Cay and Grand Cay Islands

26 May 73 to Grand Cay to support President Nixon during Visit

The President was visiting his close friend Bob Abplanalp on Grand Cay. I was assigned as the only radioman on the island during the President’s visit. It was also during a midnight shift change of Secret Service Agents when Army One crashed in the ocean while landing There were fifteen survivors, agents, and crew, they were all on the underside of the chopper which had flipped over when it crashed tragically one Secret Service Agent drowned. 

Looking toward the Main Residence from the Army One crash site

This was the last time I was on Grand Cay!

I still think the undertaking of installing permanent Communications to support Grand Cay in the Bahamas was one of the most challenging efforts of WHCA over the years. It was a very elaborate set up and at the same time a Rube Goldberg design.

President Nixon made many visits to Grand Cay between 1969 and 1974 when he resigned from office, After his resignation all of the Communications equipment was removed from GBI, Walkers Cay and Grand Cay.

The Renovated Grand Cay

After the death of Robert Abplanalp in 2003, the fortunes of Grand Cay took a further turn for the worse when it was hit by two hurricanes in 2004, (Frances and Jeanne), which caused extensive damage. The Big House, CP/radio room, bunk house and both of the villas survived because they were all concrete structures. The boat dock and care takers house suffered moderate damage.

However, in 2005, the Abplanalp family decided to sell the island, marking the end of a 50 year era. In 2015 the island was purchased by coal magnet Chris Cline from Illinois who was the largest producer of coal in the US, with mines in both Illinois and West Virginia had a vision to turn Grand Cay into a private retreat for his family and friends. Cline died in a crash with six others while taking off from the island under an emergency medical situation for a family member via helicopter around 2019. During the evacuation, the helicopter crashed very near the previous site where the Presidential Helicopter Army One crashed in 1973, again under the hours of darkness and it was not discovered for a couple days, no one checked to see if it had reached their destination for 24 hours. The most recent owner of the island is a Soccer Team owner who has already greatly expanded the island. and uses it as a reward to provide a place for his soccer team players to come after tournaments.

Today Grand Cay is beyond recognition from what it was in the 70’s. The Island now features seven houses, including a 1950’s coral stone home, contemporary-style villas, staff homes and a dormitory-style building for workers that can accommodate dozens of guests as well as a large professional kitchen, also a feature swimming pool, two marinas, a gym, tennis, pickleball and basketball courts. For transportation, there is a fleet of dune buggies and golf carts are available.

Grand Cay 2023

All of the construction force used to renovate the island is made up of the local labor pool of Bahamian natives from nearby Little Grand Cay. 

The “Big House” survived the hurricanes and remains on the hill, and it remains intact, the house has been remodeled, but the outside still looks run down, with outside mildew, and bad need of repairs to the steps and path leading to the main entrance. The 1970’s paneling in the game room has all been replaced, and the pool off the patio has been restored.

The Big House on Grand Cay

The pool at the Big House

The old two hexagonal homes where the USSS and Military Aides stayed are still there and they have built additional cabins.  

A restored and remodeled VIP villa

VIP villas beach entrance shower

Several new contemporary-style villas have been built on the far side of the island to accommodate Guests.

 One of the islands private beaches

The old Radio Room/USSS CP building has been given a metal roof and an extreme makeover. The radio room is now an office and laundry room, The concrete pad for the GRC-103 antenna is still on the side of the building, but expanded to a larger pad to accommodate trash cans on the outside of the building.

The recreation hall, and dormitory 

The large Recreation Hall is equipped with shuffleboard, roulette wheel, poker tables, pool tables, ping pong, a very large bar, outdoor waterfall jacuzzi overlooking boat dock, tennis courts, basketball court, and pickleball court. Outside grills, and hammocks are plentiful.

Great hotel like rooms, four to a room for lower level workers, then some two person rooms, and four larger single rooms for supervisors. There was a first class Mess Hall style kitchen to serve 80 people. and don’t forget the pool and gym, as well as the tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.

The recreation hall, dormitory, pool, pickleball, and tennis courts

The Recreation Building 

I would like to thank CWO Donald Cammel, US Army Ret. for his narrative and photos that I used in this article about Grand Cay as it is today.