Military Term of the Day: Mystic Star

MYSTIC STAR is the code name of the computer controlled, electronic switching system that provides high quality voice and data communications support to 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.

Aircraft are assigned access priority based on the type of mission and agency supported. There are four priority levels 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 flying 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.

PRIORITY THREE:
This designation is for missions activated for routine activities involving the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) and other special missions as directed by the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OJCS). Requests for circuit activation are received from OJCS.

PRIORITY FOUR:
This designation is afforded to high government or military officials, aboard Special Air Mission craft, who do not require continuous, uninterrupted access to their departmental headquarters.

Requests for circuit activation are received from the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB.