White House Communications Agency
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 25, 1942 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | United States, Defense Information Systems Agency |
| Headquarters | Naval Support Facility Anacostia, Washington, D.C |
| Employees | 501-1000 |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Defense Information Systems Agency |
The White House Communications Agency (WHCA), originally known as the White House Signal Corps (WHSC) and then the White House Signal Detachment (WHSD), was officially formed by the United States Department of War on 25 March 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The organization was created to provide normal and emergency communications requirements in support of the President. The organization provided mobile radio, Teletype, telephone and cryptographic aides in the White House and at "Shangri-La" (now known as Camp David). The organizational mission was to provide a premier communication system that would enable the President to lead the nation effectively.
Reorganization
In 1954, during the Eisenhower administration, the WHSD was reorganized under the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Army Signal Corps as a Class II unit and renamed the White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA). In 1962, WHASA was discontinued by order of the United States Secretary of Defense under President John F. Kennedy. Its duties were transferred to the auspices of the Defense Communications Agency under the operational control of the White House Military Office, and reestablished as the White House Communications Agency.
Role
WHCA has played an unremarked, but significant role in many historical events, including: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Panama and Guatemala, Operation Just Cause, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. WHCA was also a key player in documenting the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the attempted assassinations of Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Richard Nixon awarded the agency the Presidential Unit Citation in recognition of their performance during his 1972 visit to China.
Organization
The White House Communications Agency is composed of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps (Security Forces) personnel. The Agency evolved over the past 60 years from a small team of 32 personnel working out of the basement of the White House to a thousand-person self-supporting joint service command. Headquarters for WHCA is at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and consists of six staff elements and seven organizational units. WHCA also has supporting detachments in Washington, D.C. and various locations throughout the United States. WHCA is organized into functional areas, each with its own mission in support of the total WHCA mission of Presidential support.
Marine Corps Barracks
An agreement between Marine Corps Barracks, Washington, D.C., and the White House Communications Agency states that the barracks will supply WHCA with a platoon to provide security for the WHCA compound and for WHCA missions overseas. The Marines are handpicked infantrymen selected for this special duty as part of Presidential Support Duty.