White House Communications Agency

The White House Communications Agency (WHCA), originally known as the White House Signal Corps (WHSC) and then the White House Signal Detachment (WHSD), was officially formed by the United States Department of War on March 25, 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The organization was created to provide secure normal, secret, and emergency communications requirements in support of the president. The organization provided mobile radio, Teletype, telegraph, telephone and cryptographic aides in the White House and at "Shangri-La" (now known as Camp David). The organizational mission was to provide a premier communication system that would enable the president to lead the nation effectively.

Not to be confused with White House Communications Director.
WHCA seal
Agency overview
FormedMarch 25, 1942
Preceding agencies
JurisdictionUnited States, Defense Information Systems Agency
HeadquartersNaval Support Facility Anacostia, Washington, D.C.
Employees501–1,000
Agency executive
  • Col Joy M. Kaczor, USAF
Parent agencyDefense Information Systems Agency
Telegraph room, White House, 1923

Reorganization

In 1954, during the Eisenhower administration, the WHSD was reorganized under the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Army Signal Corps as a Class II unit and renamed the White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA). In 1962, WHASA was discontinued by order of the United States secretary of defense under President John F. Kennedy. Its duties were transferred to the auspices of the Defense Communications Agency under the operational control of the White House Military Office, and reestablished as the White House Communications Agency.[1]

Role

WHCA has played an unremarked, but significant role in many historical events, including: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Panama and Guatemala, Operation Just Cause, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. WHCA was also a key player in documenting the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the attempted assassinations of presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Richard Nixon awarded the agency the Presidential Unit Citation in recognition of their performance during his 1972 visit to China.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Organization

The White House Communications Agency is composed of Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps personnel. The agency evolved over the past 60 years from a small team of 32 personnel working out of the basement of the White House to a thousand-person self-supporting joint service command. Headquarters for WHCA is at Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling and consists of six staff elements and seven organizational units. WHCA also has supporting detachments in Washington, D.C., and various locations throughout the United States. WHCA is organized into functional areas, each with its own mission in support of the total WHCA mission of presidential support.[9]

Members
White House Communications Agency-Army Element Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Seals of the branches of the United States Armed Forces

The White House Communications Agency is a joint military unit. It has members from each branch of service: United States Air Force (USAF), United States Army (USA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the United States Navy (USN). They are stringently vetted before being admitted. After meritorious service of 365 days, typically, its uniformed service members are awarded the Presidential Service Badge.[10]

WHCA also maintains many civilian employees throughout the agency and satellite locations.

References
  1. Defense Information Systems Agency, about the WHCA
  2. "Final Report of the Assassination Records Review Board, September, 1998". fas.org. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  3. Praise from a Future Generation: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, page 555, By John Kelin
  4. Dallas '63: The First Deep State Revolt Against the White House, By Peter D Scott
  5. Hunting the President: Threats, Plots and Assassination Attempts, By Mel Ayton
  6. "Reagan Library, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY: NEWS SUMMARY VIDEOTAPE COLLECTION, 1985-86". reaganlibrary.gov. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  7. "White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection". www.nixonlibrary.gov. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  8. Illinois, Lynnita Jean Brown of Tuscola. "Korean War Educator: Branch Accounts - Army". www.koreanwar-educator.org. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  9. "linkedin.com, White House Communications Agency". linkedin.com. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  10. "White House Communications Agency". www.disa.mil. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
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