Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IV, National Security Policy

187. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter¹

Washington, June 4, 1980

SUBJECT

• Missile Warning Incident

I am attaching Graham Claytor’s written communication to Senator Stennis and Congressman Price for your information. He has made it brief and usable as a contingency press release if the incident leaks. (See Tab A). (S)

You asked two questions yesterday.² We have the answer to the first: are the two computer systems connected? They are, but the connection apparently did not generate analogous behavior by both. That leads to your second question, what triggered the information on the warning display? They do not yet know. An answer may be available in a few days, but the mysteries in this incident, plus recent previous incidents,³ have sufficiently disturbed Defense so that Bill Perry will lead a panel of experts on a major system review that goes far beyond an answer for this case alone.⁴ (S)

Tab A

Paper Prepared in the Department of Defense⁵

Washington, June 4, 1980

FACT SUMMARY

Early yesterday morning a technical problem in a computer at North American Air Defense Command caused some erroneous data to be transmitted. As a result some displays at the National Military Command Center and Strategic Air Command Headquarters indicated multiple missile launches against the United States; however, other information available directly from the sensor system failed to confirm that any missiles had been launched. As a precaution and in accordance with standard procedures, certain Strategic Air Command aircraft and Command and Control aircraft were brought to a higher state of readiness. These aircraft were manned and engines started. One Command and Control aircraft in the Pacific took off. There was no change in overall US defense posture and, after an evaluation, all systems were returned to normal.

The cause of the computer discrepancy is under investigation. In the meantime arrangements have been made to insure that at all times a special secure telephone connection is in effect to provide a parallel line of communication from one center to the other, permitting even more prompt override, if necessary, of any false computer driven indications of an attack.

Throughout the event on 3 June, the command center personnel at all locations performed well and in accordance with established directions.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 42, Missile Warning Incidents: 11/79–8/80. Secret; Outside the System. Sent for information. Carter initialed the top of the memorandum.
2. No other record of Carter’s questions was found.
3. See Documents 167 and 171.
4. Brzezinski wrote below the last paragraph: “I have asked for a fuller report for you.”
5. Secret.