" AEROSPACE COMMUNICATIONS THE REINS OF COMMAND " 1961 JAMES STEWART DEW LINE COLD WAR FILM 34102

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Famed actor and USAF officer James Stewart presents “Aerospace Communications”; a Cold War era film detailing the chilling scenario of nuclear war between the USA and an enemy nation capable of launching a nuclear strike. The film describes the transfer of information using the Ballistic Early Missile System or BMEWS, the Mid-Canada Line, the Pinetree line, the Distant Early Warning (DEW) and SAGE. SAGE is a system of large computers and associated networking equipment that coordinated data from radar sites to produce a single image of the airspace over a wide area. SAGE directed and controlled NORAD’s response to Soviet air assault during the 1950's to the 1980's. It’s massive computers and displays have remained an iconic part of the Cold War lore. SAGE was used as a prop in popular culture films such as Dr. Strangelove and Colossus. It is presented by the USAF (:11) and opens with an animation (:59) detailing the transfer of intelligence through these systems. The Midas station (1:27) alerts BMEWS (1:32), NORAD and other aerospace defenses. BMEWS locates launch and impact areas (1:50). The path of intelligence traces to NORAD, SAC and the Pentagon (2:12). The system alerts a launching of supersonic bombers (2:32), missiles and anti-missile missiles. James Stewart (3:19) details a recent tour of duty in the Pentagon during which he reviewed communication capabilities. He notes the DEW line, the Mid-Canada Line (4:34) and Pinetree line (4:37). BMEWS is looked to (4:44) in Alaska Greenland and Britain. Radar equipped picket ships (5:00) and radar early warning aircrafts (5:04) funnel information into NORAD (5:10). SAGE (5:20) workers evaluate electronically collected information (5:26). AIRCOMNET (6:02) is pictured and broken down (6:17). Various forms of communication are looked to (7:14); pneumatic tubes, teletypes (7:18) and long range radios (7:47). Stewart communicates with the pilot of a SAC B-58 (8:14). The B-58 (8:20) appears in the sky. He turn to look at closed circuit televisions (8:59).  Data computers (9:35), voice recorders (9:37), telemetry (9:39), communications rockets (9:43), undersea cables (9:47) and high powered radio antennas (9:52) make up the communications systems. The Midas satellite picks two missiles fired from the North Pacific and North Atlantic (10:59). BMEWS is notified (11:23). Radar sights unknowns on the display board at NORAD (11:51). The NORAD Combat Operation Center (12:07) and SAC liaison group follow (12:12). Information is traced to the Commander in Chief (12:24) of NORAD, the Commander in Chief of SAC (12:28) and the Pentagon (12:32) to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. A split screen shows the triage trading information (12:41). The threat level is raised to maximum alert (12:58). SAC Senior Control (13:16) alerts all SAC units. SAC crews sprint (14:01) for a B-52 (14:03). The needle nosed Convair B-58 Hustler Bomber zooms for takeoff (14:12). Missiles are wound to the ready position (14:29). The Airborne Command Post receives order (14:40). Circuit board operators perform tests (15:06). Transmissions are cut off save for essential traffic (15:29). The senior operations officer alerts commanders (15:40). Fighter pilots zoom from bases in Alaska (16:34), Canada (16:37) and the US (16:41). Tactical missile units receive an alert (16:47). Air defense missiles are raised (16:52). An air raid warning blares (17:09). The typical American family receives a chilling warning over the radio (17:28). Missile sights are opened (17:50) and ICBMS are readied. Logistical support (17:56) details supplies needed (17:58). Weather reports (18:01) and fire power (18:05) are readied. Convair B-58’s refuel in the sky (18:09). The NORAD Combat Operations Center’s (18:18) display board (18:21) and SAGE radar (18:33) pick up more invaders. Data Link guides the pilots (18:44). BMEWS predicts the impact area (19:04). Interceptors (19:24) sight the enemy missiles (19:28). The SAC B-52 (19:33) moves for striking position. The unknown is discovered to be a friendly B-58 (20:30). SAGE sends information to NORAD (21:12). Command Post terminates the exercise (21:43). Interceptors are pulled back to base (22:16), missiles are lowered (22:21) and the civilian alert is cancelled (22:19). SAC missiles return to normal (22:38). Presented by MATS (26:15).

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