Talk:Emergency Action Message

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What is meant by saying that the codes change daily? Is this to say, that even now, in peace time, such messages are sent continuously, but only code for the command "Do nothing"? Simon A. 13:01, 3 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It is more likely (and I think I have read this someplace, but the citation escapes me) that the codes are one time pads and that they aren't actually broadcast to LCF and Subs but the LCF and subs contain the keybooks as well to decode the changed messages. --- —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.28.147.181 (talk) 06:28, 28 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The codes are changed daily. However, the EAM probably is used for other commands besides "Attack/do nothing." I recall in 1994 hearing an EAM on 11,175 kHz during the Haiti intervention which caused a number of USAF aircraft to return to a base, if not their own (Charleston AFB was under a hurricane warning). That one was definitely "abort mission". These were transport aircraft, so the EAM covers more than Stratcom aircraft.

Often a EAM prefix doesn't change for 24 to 72 hours, which means aircraft is using the same book/pad during that time. However, I wouldn't be surprised if most of the messages were random characters designed to defeat traffic analysis by potential enemies.GABaker (talk) 20:01, 28 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It should be mentioned that the photo is from the movie "Crimson Tide" and is not a photo of a genuine EAM. Basesurge (talk) 01:14, 28 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Someone recently pointed me to a broadcast and told me it was an EAM. It wasn't in digital mode. It was someone saying something in the NATO phonetic alphabet. It was just random letters, but it was certainly not digital mode. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.35.197.10 (talk) 16:49, 6 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

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Hello all!

From reading the source that was cited, Skyking messages and EAM messages are both sent to nuclear forces. If that can be confirmed by other sources or knowledgeable folks, I would suggest that this portion be clarified. EAMs are described as being the orders to nuclear forces, and Skyking messages ones which can override them... but as someone totally unfamiliar, I immediately wondered what the heck could be more of a priority than orders to nuclear forces.

Also, I would suggest another source be found. The one given is a PDF written by a radio enthusiast and has several very significant typos causing contradictions. Again as an outsider, it seems to have very little credibility.

Stay warm, stay safe Liastnir (talk) 22:12, 17 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Better late than never, I suppose. These messages have been previously used to elevate DEFCON alert status, as seen in a U.S. government document declassified by the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel.^[1] This has been known on X (formerly Twitter) at least since October 14, 2023 among SIGINT communities.^[2]

    DDO: Roger. (pause) All stations, this is the
DDO. EAM has been released 1452 Zulu. All stations
acknowledge.
    ARMY: Army. Marine Corps acknowledge.
    NORAD: NORAD USSPACECOM.
    PEOC: This is PEOC, say again.
    DDO: This is the DDO. I say again, the EAM was
released 1452 Zulu. We're just getting acknowledgments.
    PEOC: PEOC acknowledges.
    STRATCOM: STRATCOM acknowledges.
    HIGHT HAWK: Night Hawk Control acknowledges.
    NORAD: NORAD USSPACECOM, acknowledges.
    AIR FORCE: Air Force, acknowledges.
    NAOC: NAOC acknowledges.
    FAA: This is the FAA. What was the lead at 1452?
    FAA: DDO, FAA.
    DDO: FAA, DDO.
    FAA: What was the lead at 1452?
    DDO: Roger. It's an emergency action message
directing worldwide DEFCON 3.
    FAA: FAA acknowledges.

84.250.15.152 (talk) 16:18, 8 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]

EAMs do not change DEFCON. They're just a message format. DEFCON status changes happen completely independently of EAMs, the EAM is just one of several methods for communicating the change in status; it is not the only one nor even the primary method (in peacetime). ⇒SWATJester ^{Shoot Blues, Tell VileRat!} 16:32, 8 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]