Nuclear football

The nuclear football is the name given to a black briefcase which is carried along with the President of the United States at all times. Inside the briefcase are instruction manuals, a radio transmitter and authentication codes for the Emergency Broadcast System. The President can use the briefcase in case of emergency, to order the use of nuclear weapons. The briefcase is carried by a military aide for the President.

Nuclear Football Media

• Reagans and Nuclear Football in Venice.jpg

  President Reagan and Nancy Reagan in 1987—the military aide at right-center is carrying the nuclear football

• President Joe Biden visits Walter Reed (01).jpg

  President Biden about to board Marine One—the military aide at back-center is carrying the nuclear football

• VOA How a Nuclear Strike Is Authorized in the United States.webm

  Video describing the United States' nuclear launch authorization process

• Richard M. Nixon walking out to Marine One in the rain - NARA - 194697.tif

  President Nixon walking to Marine One—he is being followed by a military aide carrying the nuclear football

References

• https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-05-nuclear-football_x.htm
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football.htm