2 EAMs At the Same Time?

[eorange]

Even though you can hear EAMs in the clear just about all the time, you won't understand the message. They usually start with a very short introduction (search for "skyking" for an example), but then the actual EAM is a series of phonetic codes:

"Tango"
"Sierra"
"Hotel"
"November"
"November"
"Delta"

...which continue for a long time and then sometimes the whole sequence repeats. I've heard endings like "Andrews out" and then that's it.

Go here for more interesting detail:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Action_Message

After reading the above Wikipedia entry, it sounds an awful lot like the intro to the movie "War Games" (which perhaps is a true depiction...?)

 

[Declared_Hostile]

What does the average EAM consist of?

An example:

An E-6B or E-4 comes up on 311.00, 321.00 and 323.800 and perhaps an HF freq and delivers an EAM of lets say 28 characters. (they occasionally go over a hundred). He'll use his alias (they dispensed with the static NIGHTWATCH callsign several years back unfortunately) and the whole production goes something like this:

BACK BENCH (his callsign) stand by.
BACK BENCH (his callsign) stand by.
BACK BENCH (his callsign) stand by.
BACK BENCH (his callsign) stand by. Message follows:
Delta, Foxtrot, Seven, Echo, Hotel, Two, Nine, X-Ray, November, (...etc you get the picture 28 of those)

I say again.

Delta, Foxtrot, Seven, Echo, Hotel, Two, Nine, X-Ray, November, (again you get the picture 28 of those)

This completes message of 28 characters. BACK BENCH out.


That's an EAM from the aircraft side of things. It is basically the same from ground stations.

They're not sent encrypted but encoded I guess you could say. Plus supposedly the idea is to keep traffic at a level as to not to betray any increase in message traffic. Unless you want the other side to notice and increase in message traffic. Or so it goes in such spookery.

 

[nexus]

EAM's are nothing more than a series of letters and numbers. It's a code like you put in software's registration to unlock it.

The receiving station already has their orders/instructions/targets. The EAM basically tells them to pull those instructions from a box and verify that the code (EAM) is valid. If everything they received matches, then they follow through with the orders at hand.

The EAM doesn't contain any information about the mission, target, or status of anything. it just confirms what the other end already has on hand as a valid order to launch.

Example...

A boomer (Ballistic Missile Submarine) gets orders (via secure methods usually in person before departing, or encrypted comms if already underway) to ramp up for a possible strike on bases in North Korea. They move into position, and wait for an EAM. The EAM will be received, they go to their orders box and verify the message by comparing what is on their orders. If it matches they follow that set of orders.

AACZFE1CCGUNH might be the EAM authentication for the orders to LAUNCH 20 sorties at the predetermined base, as outlined in their already given orders.

YHGFRCCV8JQZZ might be the EAM authentication for the orders to stand down and resume normal patrol.

 

[Declared_Hostile]

I wonder if nuclear weapons release authorization from the President or his designate would go out as a separate EAM or if it would be included in an EAM that would implement (or assist in implementing) the SIOP?

 

[elk2370bruce]

EAM's are nothing more than a series of letters and numbers. It's a code like you put in software's registration to unlock it.

The receiving station already has their orders/instructions/targets. The EAM basically tells them to pull those instructions from a box and verify that the code (EAM) is valid. If everything they received matches, then they follow through with the orders at hand.

The EAM doesn't contain any information about the mission, target, or status of anything. it just confirms what the other end already has on hand as a valid order to launch.

Example...

A boomer (Ballistic Missile Submarine) gets orders (via secure methods usually in person before departing, or encrypted comms if already underway) to ramp up for a possible strike on bases in North Korea. They move into position, and wait for an EAM. The EAM will be received, they go to their orders box and verify the message by comparing what is on their orders. If it matches they follow that set of orders.

AACZFE1CCGUNH might be the EAM authentication for the orders to LAUNCH 20 sorties at the predetermined base, as outlined in their already given orders.

YHGFRCCV8JQZZ might be the EAM authentication for the orders to stand down and resume normal patrol.

On the other hand, it might just be that the CNO ordered sausage on the pizza for the enlisted mess for the evening on Los Angeles class boats.