- Jul 12, 2018
- 10,609
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OPERATION BEAMING BEACON II |
TOP SECRET |
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AIR FORCE DEPLOYMENT | 
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AIR FORCES DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
| Unit | Airbase | Aircraft | Cabin Crew |
| Presidential Flight Team Alpha | Andrews AFB, Maryland | x1 VC-25 | 26 /// x4 Pilots, x22 Mission Crew |
| Continuity of Government (COG) Crew 1 | Andrews AFB, Maryland | x1 E-4B | 112 /// x4 Pilots, x108 Mission Crew |
| Emergency War Officer (EWO) | The White House, Washington D.C. | NA | 1 |
AIR MOBILITY COMMAND
| Unit | Airbase | Aircraft | Cabin Crew |
| 100th Air Mobility Squadron | Dover AFB, Delaware | x1 C-5B | 7 /// x1 aircraft commander, x1 pilot, x2 flight engineers, x3 loadmasters |
| 102nd Air Mobility Squadron | Ellington AFB, Texas | x2 C-40C | 12 /// x4 pilots, x2 crew chief, x2 loadmaster, and x4 second loadmasters |
| Strategic Mobility Crew | Andrews AFB, Maryland | x1 C-17 Globemaster III | 12 /// x4 pilots, x2 crew chief, x2 loadmaster, and x4 second loadmasters |
AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCES
| ORDER OF BATTLE | PERSONNEL | GARRISON |
| 7th Security Forces Squadron | 100 | Andrews AFB, Maryland |
DETAILS
VC-25 - Fully Fueled; x4 Pilots, x22 Mission Crew; Pilots fully rested; All crew uniformed; Food and beverages for two trans-Atlantic flights; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for VC-25; Full loadout of standard physical and electronic countermeasures for VC-25.
E4-B - Fully Fueled; x4 Pilots, x108 Mission Crew; Pilots fully rested; All crew uniformed; Food and beverages for two trans-Atlantic flights; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for VC-25; Full loadout of standard physical and electronic countermeasures for E4-B.
C-5B - Fully Fueled; x7 Crew (aircraft commander, pilot, 2 flight engineers, 3 loadmasters) uniformed; Crew fully rested and uniformed; Food and beverages for two trans-Atlantic flights; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for C-5B.
C-17 - Fully Fueled; x7 Crew (2 pilots, 1 loadmasters) uniformed; Crew fully rested and uniformed; Food and beverages for two trans-Atlantic flights; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for C-17 Globemaster III.
C-40C Clipper - x6 Crew (x2 pilots, x1 crew chief, x1 loadmaster, and x2 second loadmasters); Crew fully rested and uniformed; Food and beverages for two trans-Atlantic flights; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for C-40C.
Air Force Security Forces - x1 M4 Carbine Assault Rifle and x7 loaded magazines; x1 M9 Semiautomatic Pistol and x5 loaded magazines; combat uniform.
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MARINE CORPS DEPLOYMENT | 
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| Marine Helicopter Squadron One | Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico | x3 VH-60N | 12 /// x6 pilots, x6 crew chiefs |
VH-60N - Fully Fueled; x2 Pilots, x2 Mission Crew; Pilots and crew fully rested; All crew uniformed; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for VH-60N; Full loadout of standard physical and electronic countermeasures for VH-60N.
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U.S. SECRET SERVICE ATTACHMENT |
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| ORDER OF BATTLE | PERSONNEL | GARRISON |
| Presidential Protection Detail | 40 Special Officers | The White House, Washington D.C. |
| Presidential Protection Detail | 5 Special Agents | The White House, Washington D.C. |
DETAILS
Special Officers - x1 SIG-Sauer P229 +5 magazines; x1 FN P90 +2 magazines; x1 Secret Service bullet proof vest under dress shirt; All weapons concealed under suit jacket of agent;
Special Agents - x1 SIG-Sauer P229 +5 magazines; All weapons concealed under suit jacket of agent.
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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS | 
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CONTEXT
The Republic of Türkiye was hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics. The United States was invited by Türkiye to send American representatives for the opening ceremony. President Sinclair, his partner Senator Olympia Snowe, and Secretary of State Luke Adams were the high-ranking officials who was travelling from the United States to Türkiye for the ceremony. Intense planning went into where the President would be staying and the security at the venue. The Navy, through Operation Five Rings already had a carrier strike group deployed to the Mediterranean to assist in security for the Opening Ceremony and also provide a strong American presence as a deterrent to potential violence and to use in the event that VIPs needed to be evacuated from Istanbul.
The United States and Türkiye have had a complicated past, but with the recent loan to Türkiye and the revitalization of the Turkish economy under Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller, the Sinclair Administration hoped that attending the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics would be another step forward in American-Turkish relations.
The United States and Türkiye have had a complicated past, but with the recent loan to Türkiye and the revitalization of the Turkish economy under Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller, the Sinclair Administration hoped that attending the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics would be another step forward in American-Turkish relations.
THE DEPLOYMENT
The Peninsula Suite (a rooftop/penthouse suite) at The Peninsula Istanbul was rented out for the President and Senator Snowe to use, along with every other room on the same floor and every room on the floor directly below. The Federal Government footed the bill for said rooms. In coordination with Turkish Presidential Security Directorate and the Turkish Gendarmerie, representatives from the Secret Service were sent in advance to access the hotel and the surrounding area. Some special, temporary, measures would be taken such as welding shut nearby manholes and removing a few lamp posts that were in the plaza directly south of the hotel. This would allow Marine One to land there.
The appropriate Turkish officials would be made aware that a presidential visit always involved the utilization of multiple airports - all of the following information would of course be cleared with Turkish officials before it took place. In this instance, the primary airport that would be used for Operation Soaring Beacon II was Istanbul Airport in Eastern Thrace. This airport is where the majority of American assets would be staged, including Air Force One and Marine One, Two, and Three. It was also where a C-5B would land to unload the President's motorcade. However, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport was to be used as the "auxiliary" airport for the operation. At this airport, the E-4B, codename Nightwatch would be stationed there along with a security unit.
To prepare for President Sinclair's departure, the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Secret Service began organizing logistics so that everything would be ready once POTUS arrived. All associated aircraft, personnel, equipment, and weapons listed above were brought to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. All aircraft flights listed below would use the normal cruising speed and typical cruising altitude for a transatlantic flight throughout most of their journey. Also, Turkey's Air Force was informed that the Air Force intended to fly through their airspace over Western Anatolia and Eastern Thrace, and the Air Force formally requested that this be approved in advance. The Air Force provided the approximate times of when the aircraft would be flying through, as well as the types of aircraft that would be flying through.
The day before the President would depart to Türkiye, the following would take place. An E-4B, codename Nightwatch, and a C-40C Clipper were prepared for takeoff from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Nightwatch was manned by its ominously-named "COG Crew," which stood for "Continuity of Government." The C-40C Clipper was manned with its crew as described in the ORBAT above, and also had the following passengers: 25 Air Force Security Forces (for on-the-ground protection of the E-4B) and 10 Secret Service special officers (for on-board security in case the aircraft has to be used). The aircraft were properly fueled and had their preflight checks performed. They were then loaded and the crews and passengers were brought aboard. The C-40C Clipper took off, followed 7 hours later by the E-4B, from Andrews. The C-40C had the destination of landing at RAF Mildenhall in England to refuel. The British RAF were informed of this in advance. From RAF Mildenhall, the C-40C then continued the rest of its journey to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
From RAF Mildenhall, the C-40C took a rather indirect route around France, Spain, and Portugal, over the Straight of Gibraltar, and through the Mediterranean to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The E-4B was able to complete this flight in one direct shot from Andrews Air Force Base. The Turkish Air Force was securely informed of the route and the aircraft that would be heading to what place, and approximately when they would arrive. The aircraft would request permission to land at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (the C-40 first, followed by the E-4B a few hours later).
The aircraft were parked in a secure section of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The 25 Air Force Security Forces began shifts of eight hours where 8 men would be actively protecting (e.g. standing around in uniform with their loaded service weapons) the E-4B and the C-40 Clipper, while 8 other men were "on standby" (e.g. engaging in recreational activity but ready to respond if needed), and 8 more men were resting. The remaining one man was in operational control of the Air Force Security Forces. If the Turkish officials/Air Force was willing to accommodate, the Americans would utilize some of the facilities at the airport for recreation, rest, and refreshment while they were there. The Airmen would not leave the confines of the airport and would strictly adhere to Turkish law while they were there.
That same day, the C-5B and another C-40C Clipper were adequately prepared and fueled at Andrews. The C-5B had Marine One, Two, and Three properly stored and secured inside of it (with the fuel removed from each helicopter) as well as the two limousines used for the President's motorcade (with the fuel removed from each vehicle). The C-40 Clipper had its flight crew on board as well as: 75 Air Force Security Forces (for on-the-ground protection of the American aircraft at Istanbul Airport), 20 special officers of the Secret Service (for direct protection of the President), and the 12 Marines (the flight crews for Marine One, Two, and Three). After these aircraft were loaded, the aircraft were fueled, and all of the preflight checks were performed, the C-40 Clipper would take off, followed by the C-5B several hours later. The C-40C clipper took the same route as the earlier one, and the C-5B would take approximately the same route as Nightwatch, except they would both land at Istanbul Airport. The aircraft followed the same procedures when it came to contacting the Turkish Air Force officials to make them aware of their presence and to allow them to land.
Once they were on the ground, the crews and passengers of the aircraft would deplane after the aircraft were stored in a secure place. Marine One, Two, and Three would be removed from the aircraft the morning of the day that the President would arrive to Türkiye. The 75 Air Force Security Forces began 8 hours shifts with 25 men on each shift to perform armed patrols around the aircraft currently on the ground there (which would later be expanded to Air Force One). 25 men were assigned to each patrol, with the next group of men on standby (e.g. allowed to engage in recreation, but able to respond on a moment's notice if they were needed), with the remaining 25 men resting.
The following day, Air Force One was prepared at Andrews Air Force Base for President Sinclair, his partner Senator Olympia Snowe, Secretary of State Luke Adams, and several guests as well as members of senior staff. The airplane also had vetted, American members of the press, ten special officers of the Secret Service, members of the President's National Security Council, and a couple of members of the President's Cabinet who needed to meet with him on the way to England (or on the way home). The aircraft was fueled and all preflight checks were performed by the aircrew and ground crews. Everyone onboard Air Force One was cleared to fly to Türkiye with Turkish officials in advance.
Air Force One took off without incident from Andrews and took an altered course from Nightwatch for security reasons. As stated with the other aircraft, Air Force One would also have the destination of Istanbul Airport. As with the other aircraft, but especially with Air Force One, special attention was taken to make sure that foreign airspace was avoided and that most of the flight took place over either the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. Air Force One would follow all Turkish rules and requirements regarding air travel and would maintain careful communication with the Turkish Air Force before entering and upon entering Turkish airspace.
Air Force One would request to enter Turkish airspace in advance - the exact time of when the President's aircraft would arrive in Türkiye wasn't known, but they knew it would be within a 60-minute window. Air Force One would land at Istanbul Airport shortly before 8:00 in the morning, local time. Secret Service and military personnel prepared for the arrival of the President by preparing the Marine One, Two, and Three helicopters for transport as well as making security preparations in conjunction with British forces on the ground. Once Air Force One had landed and taxied to its designated spot, the only task of the Turks would be wheel up a mobile staircase for those onboard to deplane the aircraft.
From Istanbul Airport, the plan was to fly the President, Senator Snowe, and Secretary Adams to The Peninsula Istanbul hotel and land in the plaza just south of the hotel where Secret Service would already be waiting.
The appropriate Turkish officials would be made aware that a presidential visit always involved the utilization of multiple airports - all of the following information would of course be cleared with Turkish officials before it took place. In this instance, the primary airport that would be used for Operation Soaring Beacon II was Istanbul Airport in Eastern Thrace. This airport is where the majority of American assets would be staged, including Air Force One and Marine One, Two, and Three. It was also where a C-5B would land to unload the President's motorcade. However, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport was to be used as the "auxiliary" airport for the operation. At this airport, the E-4B, codename Nightwatch would be stationed there along with a security unit.
To prepare for President Sinclair's departure, the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Secret Service began organizing logistics so that everything would be ready once POTUS arrived. All associated aircraft, personnel, equipment, and weapons listed above were brought to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. All aircraft flights listed below would use the normal cruising speed and typical cruising altitude for a transatlantic flight throughout most of their journey. Also, Turkey's Air Force was informed that the Air Force intended to fly through their airspace over Western Anatolia and Eastern Thrace, and the Air Force formally requested that this be approved in advance. The Air Force provided the approximate times of when the aircraft would be flying through, as well as the types of aircraft that would be flying through.
The day before the President would depart to Türkiye, the following would take place. An E-4B, codename Nightwatch, and a C-40C Clipper were prepared for takeoff from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Nightwatch was manned by its ominously-named "COG Crew," which stood for "Continuity of Government." The C-40C Clipper was manned with its crew as described in the ORBAT above, and also had the following passengers: 25 Air Force Security Forces (for on-the-ground protection of the E-4B) and 10 Secret Service special officers (for on-board security in case the aircraft has to be used). The aircraft were properly fueled and had their preflight checks performed. They were then loaded and the crews and passengers were brought aboard. The C-40C Clipper took off, followed 7 hours later by the E-4B, from Andrews. The C-40C had the destination of landing at RAF Mildenhall in England to refuel. The British RAF were informed of this in advance. From RAF Mildenhall, the C-40C then continued the rest of its journey to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
From RAF Mildenhall, the C-40C took a rather indirect route around France, Spain, and Portugal, over the Straight of Gibraltar, and through the Mediterranean to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The E-4B was able to complete this flight in one direct shot from Andrews Air Force Base. The Turkish Air Force was securely informed of the route and the aircraft that would be heading to what place, and approximately when they would arrive. The aircraft would request permission to land at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (the C-40 first, followed by the E-4B a few hours later).
The aircraft were parked in a secure section of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The 25 Air Force Security Forces began shifts of eight hours where 8 men would be actively protecting (e.g. standing around in uniform with their loaded service weapons) the E-4B and the C-40 Clipper, while 8 other men were "on standby" (e.g. engaging in recreational activity but ready to respond if needed), and 8 more men were resting. The remaining one man was in operational control of the Air Force Security Forces. If the Turkish officials/Air Force was willing to accommodate, the Americans would utilize some of the facilities at the airport for recreation, rest, and refreshment while they were there. The Airmen would not leave the confines of the airport and would strictly adhere to Turkish law while they were there.
That same day, the C-5B and another C-40C Clipper were adequately prepared and fueled at Andrews. The C-5B had Marine One, Two, and Three properly stored and secured inside of it (with the fuel removed from each helicopter) as well as the two limousines used for the President's motorcade (with the fuel removed from each vehicle). The C-40 Clipper had its flight crew on board as well as: 75 Air Force Security Forces (for on-the-ground protection of the American aircraft at Istanbul Airport), 20 special officers of the Secret Service (for direct protection of the President), and the 12 Marines (the flight crews for Marine One, Two, and Three). After these aircraft were loaded, the aircraft were fueled, and all of the preflight checks were performed, the C-40 Clipper would take off, followed by the C-5B several hours later. The C-40C clipper took the same route as the earlier one, and the C-5B would take approximately the same route as Nightwatch, except they would both land at Istanbul Airport. The aircraft followed the same procedures when it came to contacting the Turkish Air Force officials to make them aware of their presence and to allow them to land.
Once they were on the ground, the crews and passengers of the aircraft would deplane after the aircraft were stored in a secure place. Marine One, Two, and Three would be removed from the aircraft the morning of the day that the President would arrive to Türkiye. The 75 Air Force Security Forces began 8 hours shifts with 25 men on each shift to perform armed patrols around the aircraft currently on the ground there (which would later be expanded to Air Force One). 25 men were assigned to each patrol, with the next group of men on standby (e.g. allowed to engage in recreation, but able to respond on a moment's notice if they were needed), with the remaining 25 men resting.
The following day, Air Force One was prepared at Andrews Air Force Base for President Sinclair, his partner Senator Olympia Snowe, Secretary of State Luke Adams, and several guests as well as members of senior staff. The airplane also had vetted, American members of the press, ten special officers of the Secret Service, members of the President's National Security Council, and a couple of members of the President's Cabinet who needed to meet with him on the way to England (or on the way home). The aircraft was fueled and all preflight checks were performed by the aircrew and ground crews. Everyone onboard Air Force One was cleared to fly to Türkiye with Turkish officials in advance.
Air Force One took off without incident from Andrews and took an altered course from Nightwatch for security reasons. As stated with the other aircraft, Air Force One would also have the destination of Istanbul Airport. As with the other aircraft, but especially with Air Force One, special attention was taken to make sure that foreign airspace was avoided and that most of the flight took place over either the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. Air Force One would follow all Turkish rules and requirements regarding air travel and would maintain careful communication with the Turkish Air Force before entering and upon entering Turkish airspace.
Air Force One would request to enter Turkish airspace in advance - the exact time of when the President's aircraft would arrive in Türkiye wasn't known, but they knew it would be within a 60-minute window. Air Force One would land at Istanbul Airport shortly before 8:00 in the morning, local time. Secret Service and military personnel prepared for the arrival of the President by preparing the Marine One, Two, and Three helicopters for transport as well as making security preparations in conjunction with British forces on the ground. Once Air Force One had landed and taxied to its designated spot, the only task of the Turks would be wheel up a mobile staircase for those onboard to deplane the aircraft.
From Istanbul Airport, the plan was to fly the President, Senator Snowe, and Secretary Adams to The Peninsula Istanbul hotel and land in the plaza just south of the hotel where Secret Service would already be waiting.
TRANSIT - C-40Cs
FM>FN>GN>HN>HO>IO>IN>JN
TRANSIT - Other Aircraft
IO>IN>IM>JM>KM>KN
Jay Jamie
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