develops, and supports Command, Control, and Communications (C3) that serve the needs of the President and the Secretary of Defense under all conditions of peace and war. The Special Mission Activity provides operational telecommunications and other related support to the President of the United States, the Vice President, the First Lady, the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Executive Office of the President, the White House Staff, the National Security Council (NSC), the White House Press Office, the White House Military Office (WHMO), the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and others by direction. These activities consists of several sub-activities: White House Communications Agency (WHCA) including support to the US Secret Service (USSC), White House Situation Support Staff (WHSSS), White House Support, Senior Leadership Communications System (SLCS), Crisis Management System (CMS) for formerly referred to as Secure Video Teleconferencing System (SVTS), Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN), and Communications Management Control Activity (CMCA). All of these sub-activities support the Commander-in-Chief (CINC) communications ranging from modern enterprise information technology to highly secure and survivable command and control of nuclear forces. The Special Mission Activity consists of:
Mission Area Component ($ in Thousands)
FY 2006
Actuals FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 a. White House Communications Agency(WHCA) 100,474 104,177 123,767 127,958 b. White House Situation Support Staff(WHSSS) 14,846 5,546 5,748 5,929
c. Crises Management System (CMS) 7,926 8,882 9,946 10,107 d. Minimum Essential Emergency Communications
Network (MEECN) 6,548 4,919 5,577 5,721
e. Communications Management Control Activity(CMCA) 2,839 869 925 943
Special Mission Area Total 132,633 124,393 145,963 150,658
a. White House Communication Activity (WHCA)
White House Communications Agency (WHCA) is a joint service military agency under operational control of the White House Military Office (WHMO) and the administrative control of DISA. WHCA’s budget for FY 2008-2009 supports operations and maintenance of items necessary to provide instantaneous secure and non-secure voice and data/record communications support to the President, the Vice President, the First Lady, the United States Secret Service, (USSS), the Executive Office of the President, the White House Staff, the National Security Council (NSC), the White House Press, WHMO, and others by direction. Based on enactment of Public Law 109-163, WHCA provides the President and Vice President audiovisual and photographic services in the NCR and at trip sites worldwide. These funds cover personnel costs and contract support costs which will support Presidential podium, master control and event switch, and other audio support. WHCA will focus its efforts in FY 2008 and FY 2009 on sustaining and refreshing communications support to the White House. The WHCA will sustain the fixed and travel missions at the high OPTEMPO levels expected in FY 2008, modernize Presidential secure communications systems to correct shortfalls in reliability and voice quality; upgrade video distribution at Presidential facilities to digital in advance of the FCC-mandated analog TV phase-out; provision communications at the next Presidential and Vice- Presidential second residences, and complete the relocation of critical communications nodes to a location outside the Washington area. In addition, WHCA will improve quality
and reliability of non-secure voice communications for the President and supporting staff, expand Presidential support staff's access to intelligence data, improve the Presidential support data network's reliability and survivability, and evaluate off-the- shelf solutions for Presidential communications requirements.
United States Secret Service (USSS) – The WHCA’s budget supports the IT requirements for the USSS, providing information systems support to the USSS mission of protecting the President and Vice President. Approximately seventy-five percent of these funds provide wireless and telecommunications support for President, Vice President, and First Lady at trip sites; with the remainder supporting requirements in the National Capital Region (NCR); and at their private residents.
b. White House Situation Support Staff (WHSSS)
Funds provide for classified communications, computer, and intelligence systems for the National Security Advisor, White House Situation Room, the NSC staff, and other White House offices as well as information systems used by the NSC, including pay, benefits and support costs for civilian personnel. The FY 2008 budget reflects the increased cost of maintaining classified executive information systems support to the NSC.
c. Crisis Management System (CMS) (formerly Secure Video Teleconferencing System)
CMS provides state-of-the-art video teleconferencing – SVTS, Crisis Management Network (CMN), and the National Intelligence Watch Officers Network (NOIWON) to the President, Vice President, National Security Advisor, and others as directed by the National Security Council (NSC), both in fixed and mobile modes. Funding supports the cost of maintenance, life-cycle equipment replacement, and engineering support.
d. Communications Management Control Activity (CMCA)
CMCA resources provide support to both the USSS and the Department of Defense for special activities such as candidates in Presidential elections, Olympics, and other special events as directed. CMCA funds provide for pay, benefits and support costs for personnel, as well as minor equipment purchases and miscellaneous contract support.
e. Minimum Emergency Essential Communications Network (MEECN)
MEECN supports a highly survivable communications network capable of transmitting Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) messages and crisis conferences with the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Combatant Commands and to deployed US nuclear forces.
These sub-activities support the Commander in Chief (CINC) communications from modern enterprise information technology to highly secure and survivable command and control of nuclear forces. Grouping these sub-activities together provides a management structure that ensures the provision of these capabilities in the White House, aboard Air Force One, in a motorcade limousine, or at Presidential appearances and trip sites. The program in FY 2007 and out is increased to support additional mission support as well as fund the maintenance of equipment acquired through supplemental resources.