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5 February 2012. Add Esterline airborne communication systems. 4 February 2012 Mystic Star Presidential Global Communications System Related Obama phones: http://cryptome.org/2012-info/obama-phones/0015.htm
This device below is shown in a White House photo of Marine One uploaded to Flickr on January 31, 2012. It appears to be embedded in a side table and rotated open from a closed position. Note angled position for easy access from the president's seat.
A reader proposes that the photos show a unit of the MYSTIC STAR communications system installed on presidential and VIP aircraft for global communications. A system made by several companies over the years: Loren Data, E-Systems Melpar Division, Raytheon, perhaps others. Several descriptions of Mystic Star are online (no photos we could find) going back at least to 1990:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI33-106.pdf AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 33-106 9 JANUARY 2002 Incorporating Through Change 2, 12 FEBRUARY 2010 Communications and Information MANAGING HIGH FREQUENCY RADIOS, PERSONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AND THE MILITARY AFFILIATE RADIO SYSTEM [Excerpts:] 3. MYST1C STAR System. This is a worldwide communications system, operated and maintained by elements of the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force under the control of the DISA Operations Center. Its network provides worldwide communications by directly controlling radio equipment located at Global HF system stations. It consists of ultra high frequency satellite and HF networks supporting Presidential, special air, commanders-in-chief, Joint Staff, very important persons, and command airborne missions. 3.1. The MYSTIC STAR HF Network consists of: 3.1.1. A single master net control station (MNCS) located at Andrews AFB MD. 3.2. AFNIC/ENAH: 3.2.1. Oversees the life-cycle management of the MYSTIC STAR Network. 3.3. The MYSTIC STAR Operations Technical Manager: 3.3.1. Operates from the 789th Communications Squadron (789 CS/SCP), 1558 Alabama Ave, Suite 67, Andrews AFB MD 20762-6116. 3.4. The Commander, 89th Communications Group: 3.4.1. Manages, operates, and evaluates the MNCS according to DISA Circular 310-70-79.
http://militarycomms.tripod.com/scope_command/mystic_star.html MYSTIC STAR MISSION The mission of the Mystic Star system is to provide high quality voice and data communications support. You might think that this is no different from the support provided by any other communications system, but it is. The Mystic Star system supports the communications needs of the President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Foreign Heads of State, and other senior government and military officials while aboard Special Air Mission (SAM), VIP, or Command aircraft. These aircraft are assigned an access priority based on the type of mission and agency supported. There are four access priorities used with priority one missions having the highest priority. PRIORITY ONE This designation is afforded to the President of the United States during all Air Force One flights. It is also afforded to the Vice President during Air Force Two flights if the President is not flying. Requests for circuit activation are received from the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). PRIORITY TWO This designation is afforded to those missions activated in support of high government officials requiring continuous uninterrupted access to their departmental headquarters. It is normally limited to support of the Vice President (if the President is being supported at the same time), Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OJCS). Requests for circuit activation are received from the Department of the Air Force or WHCA. NOTE The President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are the "TOP FIVE." PRIORITY THREE This designation is afforded to those missions activated for routine activities involving the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) and other special missions as directed by OJCS. Requests for circuit activation are received from OJCS. PRIORITY FOUR This designation is afforded to high government or military officials aboard SAM or other special air mission aircraft, call sign SPAR. These individuals do not require continuous, uninterrupted access to their departmental headquarters. Missions supporting Cabinet Staff members, Congress, and DOD personnel are assigned this priority. Requests for circuit activation are received from the 89th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) at Andrews AFB. The NCS at Andrews will directly support all missions. Priority four missions may be referred to Global Command and Control System (GCCS) stations. This is only if the traffic load is such that Andrews cannot provide effective support. The shift supervisor will make this decision. The operator performing coordinator duties will contact the desired GCCS station to be sure the proper support is available. STATION CONFIGURATION Control of the entire Mystic Star network is the function of the Net Control Station (NCS) at Andrews. This includes all HF radio and UHF SATCOM equipment and the associated voice and data circuits. The Mystic Star Communications Management System is a computer controlled electronic switching system. The MSCMS is comprised of 13 computer equipped consoles. Two computer data base/data communication (DB/DC) modules, primary and backup, are available to each operator. Two color graphics processors provide color graphics support. Two digital switching systems provide interconnectivity within the system. Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment, voice and data modems, and data terminals are available for providing secure communications support. A voice recorder/reproducer allows for the recording of all voice transmissions. A frequency management system, time generating and synchronizing unit, and a maintenance patching facility are the final subsystems that make up the MSCMS. The equipment subsystems that make up the MSCMS are configured for secure or non-secure operations through a Local Area Network (LAN). The LAN connects all of the equipment within the station. You cannot see the LAN working, but you use it for the distribution of command and control processing functions. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION The Mystic Star system consists of eight primary and nine secondary HF radio stations located throughout the world. Each primary station provides four radio levels dedicated for Mystic Star use. Secondary stations provide at least one radio level dedicated for use by Mystic Star. A radio level consists of a transmitter, a receiver, and the associated equipment. A typical primary station consists of a Communications Relay Center (CRC), a transmitter site, and a receiver site. These are connected by transmission lines (buried cable) or microwave transmissions. The CRC consists of consoles, switches, and associated common control equipment. The eight primary Mystic Star HF stations
Andrews The nine secondary Mystic Star HF stations and the number of dedicated radio levels each provides are:
Andersen 1 All stations except for Andrews, MacDill, Loring, Salinas, and Scott are GCCS stations. GCCS stations have additional radio levels and operators available if required. The stations at Albrook and Thule are secondary stations when they are activated. They have no dedicated connectivity to the NCS at Andrews. Coordination by telephone with these stations is required to obtain the radio levels you require. The Incirlik station has yet to be brought on-line and is not available at this time. Satellite communications are provided through Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Remote Switching Units (RSUs). The RSU is a UHF radio satellite ground entry point (GEP) station for the MSCMS. There are four RSU sites that provide the Mystic Star system with global UHF satellite coverage. The four dedicated UHF stations:
Brandywine, MD Each of these stations, except for Brandywine, has four dedicated radio levels; two wideband channels and two narrowband channels. The Brandywine station has six dedicated radio levels; four wideband channels and four narrowband channels for Mystic Star support. Satellite communications are under the control of the Master Control Center (MCC) at Offutt AFB, NE. The MCC has delegated its controlling authority to several Primary Control Centers (PCCs). Working within the Mystic Star system, and coordinated with the PCCs located at Brandywine, March AFB, CA; and Kadena AB, Japan. Brandywine is the PCC for the 23-degree west and Lincoln Experimental Satellite (LES). March is the PCC for the 100-degree west satellite. Kadena controls the access to the 72- and 172-degree east satellites. The area of coverage for each satellite. RSU Accessible Satellites
Brandywine 23W/100W Satellite Area of Coverage
100W CONUS
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/10/mystic-star-network.html Friday, October 13, 2006 Mystic Star Network This is a worldwide communications system, operated and maintained by elements of the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force under the control of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Operations Center. Its network provides worldwide communications by directly controlling radio equipment located at Global HF system stations. It consists of ultra high frequency satellite and HF networks supporting Presidential, Vice President, cabinet members and other senior government officials, Joint Staff, VIP (very important persons) and command airborne missions. The Mystic Star HF network consists of: a single master net control station (MNCS) located at Andrews AFB Maryland, interstation and intersite circuits, and relay and auxiliary communications subsystems. (Source Air Force Instruction 33-106) Note: I have seen less and less monitor reports on this system over the last few years. It is widely believed that encryption is the reason for this decline in Mystic Star traffic. Frequency/Designator Matrix (USB/LSB/Encryption)
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/mystic_star.htm April 29, 1998 Mystic Star The Mystic Star high-frequency single-side-band [SSB] communications system is installed at about 10-15 Air Force bases around the world, with remote transceivers controlled via telephone voice channels from Andrews AFB. This system is used for telephone traffic when Air Force One is out of range of other UHF links, but at least two SSB voice frequencies (and a full duplex 75 baud secure teletype channel called "India Oscar" which use a special anti-multipath modem) are maintained continuously and used for coordination of other communications links. Frequencies are chosen from a list of about 150 scattered throughout the available HF spectrum and are designated by "fox" code numbers which change from time to time.
http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2009/12-December/19-Dec-2009/FBO-02026435.htm R -- 89 COM-Mystic Star Notice Date: 12/17/2009 Notice Type: Special Notice NAICS: 541511 — Custom Computer Programming Services Contracting Office: Department of the Air Force, Direct Reporting Unit - Air Force District of Washington, 316th CONS, 1535 Command Drive, Andrews AFB, Maryland, 20762-6500 ZIP Code: 20762-6500 Solicitation Number: FA4416-09-F-A002 Archive Date: 1/7/2010 Point of Contact: Bryn L. Riska, Phone: 3019813393, Catherine B. Perry, Phone: 301-981-1256 E-Mail Address: bryn.riska@afncr.af.mil, Catherine.Perry@afncr.af.mil, (bryn.riska@afncr.af.mil, Catherine.Perry@afncr.af.mil) Description NOTICE OF INTENT TO INCREASE CONTRACT CEILING The 316th Contracting Squadron, Andrews AFB, Maryland, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, with Raytheon Company, of Falls Church, VA, an increase in CLIN 0002 - Time and Materials Reimbursable amount for delivery order FA4416-09-F-A002. The increase is necessary to accomplish essential upgrades to existing Mystic Star Locations. The Mystic Star System provides the 89th Communications Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD the continuance of software development, hardware maintenance, and engineering services as required in maintaining upgrades to the Mystic Star UHF 2000 systems. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by 1200 Noon EST, 23 Dec 09 via electronic mail to the POC's listed on this notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. All responses received within 10 days after the date of publication of this special notice will be considered by the Government. No solicitation package will be issued. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor Federal Business Opportunities and General Service Administration (GSA) Advantage website to view other 316th CONS procurement opportunities. All questions shall be submitted via electronic mail to MSgt Bryn Riska at bryn.riska@afncr.af.mil and Ms Catherine Perry at catherine.perry@afncr.af.mil. Expressions of interest can be submitted by electronic mail to the parties identified above. Point of Contact MSgt Bryn Riska, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-981-3393, Fax 301-981-1910, email bryn.riska@afncr.af.mil Catherine Perry Contracting Officer, Phone 301-981-1256, Fax 301-981-1910, email catherine.perry@afncr.af.mil Web Link https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFDW/89CONS/FA4416-09-F-A002/listing.html Place of Performance Address: 1558 Alabama Ave, Andrews AFB, Maryland, 20762, United States Zip Code: 20762 Record SN02026435-W 20091219/091217234908-20a5a0191ec72d50804c6d10ee258fe2 (fbodaily.com)
http://forums.radioreference.com/military-monitoring-forum/129833-mystic-star-frequency-network.html 01-01-2009, 11:41 PM Hooligan, Member While its importance has greatly diminished due to various satellite communication networks, the mission of the Mystic Star network still exists. MS comms aren't really heard in the clear very often, due to both encryption as well as anti-jam technology used, but every once in a while, people do hear non-secure Mystic Star comms (even if they don't know that's what they're hearing). The SATCOM stuff is great, but because it requires so much technology & infrastructure, HF is still a necessity for major, critical comm platforms such as 'Marine 1,' 'Air Force One,' etc. & while if they use HF they'll try to utilize full-time secure voice with or without freq-hopping, if they absolutely need to they can default back to non-secure, analog single-channel HF voice like in the good old days. As a high-school kid, I was lucky enough to have all the MS freqs & associated 'Foxtrot' channel numbers. The 'Foxtrot' identifiers were supposed to be switched around every 6 months for security reasons, but the reality was it didn't happen too often, and when it did, there was actually a pattern to it, so if you had all the freqs & heard the new Foxtrot ID's for at least two of them, it was easy to figure out the pattern. Another cool tidbit -- back in the 1980s, Andrews AFB accessed some of the overseas remote sites (for example, Pirmasens, Germany) via non-secure, analog commercial satellite subcarriers, which could be tuned in by any TVRO nut who knew where to look & listen.
http://www.fbodaily.com/cbd/archive/1995/05%28May%29/05-May-1995/Jsol008.htm COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 5,1995 PSA#1340 89 CONS/LGCV, 1419 Menoher Drive, Andrews AFB, MD 20331-6500 J -- MYSTIC STAR SYSTEM. Sol FA4416-95-R0008 due 070195. Contact Stacy MacKay (301) 981-2308, No Collect Call Will Be Accepted. Mystic Star Special Air Mission (SAM) Network Control Station (NCS) and Remote Switching Units (RSU) Logistic and Technical Support. It is the Air Force's intention to award a sole source contract to E-Systems, Melpar Division for the logistic and technical support of the Mystic Star System. The Mystic Star Systems provides secured and unsecured data and voice communications for Air Force One and VIP Aircraft through a HF and satellite worldwide network. The logistic support (end item and printed circuit card repair) may require test jigs and model for modification and repair. The Air Force requires worldwide technical and logistic support of the RSUs as well as service to support a wide range of areas including engineering support, systems fault isolation, system level end-to-end expertise and software/firmware maintenance. Technical services consists of the Depot Logistic Support, Technical and Operational Support, On-Site Systems Engineering Support, Worldwide Emergency Technical Support, Maintenance and Upgrade for Software, Firmware Support. The protocol converter, network interface equipment and various other communication components are critical to the operation of the systems and are proprietary hardware and firmware belonging to E-Systems. The ability to repair or replace these items as needed is essential to the performance of this contract. The Government does not have Level III drawing or rights to the technical data. (121) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0054 19950504\J-0008.SOL)
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