Richard P. Henrick
Nightwatch
Author’s Note
Time references in Nightwatch are recorded either in Zulu Time (Greenwich Mean Time), the time unit favored by the military, or in Central Daylight Time (CDT). CDT is six hours behind Zulu Time.
Nightwatch (E-4B) Compartments
1 Flight Deck and Upper Deck Rest Area
The flight deck contains the pilot’s, copilot’s, navigator’s and flight engineer’s stations. A lounge area and sleeping quarters for flight crews and other personnel are located aft of the deck.
2 Forward Entry Area
The forward entry area contains the main galley unit and stairways to the flight deck and to the forward lower equipment area. Refrigerators, freezers, a convection oven and a microwave oven give stewards the capability to provide more than 100 hot meals during prolonged missions. Additionally, four seats are located on the left side of the forward entry area for the security guards and the stewards.
3 Conference Room and Projection Room
The conference room provides a secure area for conferences and briefings. It contains a nine-position executive table with executive chairs. A projection room serving the conference room and the briefing room is located aft of the conference room. It has the capability of projecting computer graphics, overhead transparencies or 35mm slides to either the conference room or the briefing room either singularly or simultaneously.
4 Operations Team Area
The operations team area contains the automatic data processing equipment and seats and console work areas for 29 staff members.
The consoles are configured to provide access to from the following types of circuits or systems: automated data processing, automatic switchboard, direct access telephone and radio circuits, direct (“hot”) lines, monitor panel for switchboard lines, staff and operator interphone and audio recorder.
5 NCA Area
The NCA area is designed and furnished as an executive compartment. It contains an office, a lounge sleeping area and a dressing area. Telephone instruments in this area provide the NCA with secure and clear, worldwide communications.
6 Briefing Room
The briefing room contains a briefing table with three executive seats, eighteen seats, a lectern and two rear projection screens.
7 Communications
Control Area The communications control area is divided into a voice area and a data area. The voice area, located on the right side of the compartment, contains the radio operator’s console, the semiautomatic switchboard console and the communication officer’s console. The data area, located on the left side of the area, contains the record communications console, record data supervisor’s console, high speed DATA/AUTODIN/AFSAT console and LV/VLF control heads.
8 Technical Control and Rest Area
The aft end of the main desk is divided into a technical control area and a rest area. The enclosed technical control area, which occupies the left forward part of the compartment, contains a technical control console, multiplexer, SHF SATCOM, console, and patch and test assembly. The rest area, which occupies the remaining portion of the aft main deck, provides a rest and sleeping area for the crew members.
9 Flight Avionics Area
The flight avionics area contains aircraft systems power panels, flight avionics equipment, liquid oxygen converters and stowage for baggage and spare parts.
10 Forward Lower Equipment Area
The forward lower equipment area contains the potable water supply tanks, 1200 KVA electrical power panels, stepdown transformers, VLF transmitter and SHF SATCOM equipment. Electrically operated retractable stairs, located in the forward right side of the forward lower equipment area, are installed for airplane entry and exit.
11 Aft Lower Equipment Area
The aft lower equipment area contains the maintenance console and various mission equipment.
12 Lower Trailing Wire Antenna Area
The lower trailing wire antenna area contains the long trailing wire antenna reel, the antenna operator’s station and the antenna reel controls and indicators.
Glossary
CDT Central Daylight Time
PL Patrol Leader
BDU Battle Dress Utility
NVG Night Vision Goggles
OB Objective RP Rally Point
MRE Meal Ready to Eat OpOrd Operations Order
RTO Radio Telephone Operator
R&S Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Assistant Patrol Leader
TOC Tactical Operations Center
EPW Enemy Prisoner of War
SAW Squad Automatic Weapon
Ammunition Casualty/ Report
Load Bearing Equipment
Demolitions OPFOR Opposition Forces
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
MP Military Police
SAIC Special Agent in Charge
CAT Counter Assault Team
SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics
ATF Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
IED Improvised Explosive Device srt Special Response Team
MIL AIDE Military Aide cid Criminal Investigative Division
NAOC National Airborne Operations Center
NCA National Command Authority
NMCC National Military Command Center
STRATCOM Strategic Command
CO Commanding Officer
POTUS President of the United States
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency siop Single Integrated Operational Plan
CONUS Continental United States npr National Public Radio
SITREP Situation Report ir Infrared
FCO Firs Control Officer
SSGT Staff Sergeant rpg Rocket Propelled Grenade
SATCOM Satellite Communications
TACAMO Take Charge and Move Out
DEFCON Defense Condition
NAS Naval Air Station
EAO Emergency Action Officer
MO Modus Operandi
CG Commanding General
EOC Emergency Operations Center
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
DOD Department of Defense
VLF Very Low Frequency
ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
AM Emergency Action Message
COMSUBLANT Commander Submarines Atlantic
XO Executive Officer
COB Chief of the Boat
NSA National Security Agency
SOSUS Sound Surveillance System
SINS Ships Inertial Navigation System
SAR Search and Rescue
ADI Altitude Direction Indicator
SOG Studies and Observation Group
ALCS Air Launch Control System
ACO Airborne Communications Officer
NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command
PA Power Amplifier
SOCOM Special Operations Command
COMSUBPAC Commander Submarines Pacific
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite
SHF Super High Frequency
CNO Chief of Naval Operations
IMF International Monetary Fund
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
CRT Cathode-Ray Tube
PFD Primary Flight Display
MOUT Military Operations in Urban Terrain
MIRV Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle
Epigraph
“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some trans-Atlantic military giant, to step the ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined … could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be Its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all times, or die by suicide.”