In the 1960s, the United States came up with a plan to keep the government running if a nuclear attack ever happened. This plan was known as the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA), and it had three parts—one in the air, one on land, and one at sea. For the sea-based portion, the U.S. Navy converted two ships into floating command centers. These special vessels, sometimes referred to as “Doomsday Ships,” were built to serve as mobile White Houses, ready to take charge during a national emergency.
Continuity of Operations
With the advent of nuclear weapons at the end of World War II, the US government began developing plans for the continuity of operations and survival of key figures during a nuclear war. It was decided there would be three parts to this. One was key installations on land, and the other two were mobile airborne and sea-based command posts, allowing the government to move at will.
Communications were a key part of the plan. A system was established so secure communications would be maintained between four command posts: the National Military Command Center (NMCC), the Alternate National Military Command Center (ANMCC), the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP), and the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA).
The National Military and Alternate National Military Command Centers were land installations – the Pentagon and a US military bunker near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania. The National Emergency Airborne Command Post would be aircraft operated by the US Air Force, while the National Emergency Command Post Afloat were command ships manned by the US Navy.
The two vessels would be on constant alert and ready to assume the role of floating White Houses, if needed. They ultimately never had to take on these roles, and only saw John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson visit for exercises, overnight stays and as part of foreign trips.
USS Northampton (CLC-1/CC-1)
The USS Northampton (CLC-1/CC-1) was launched on January 27, 1951. She was an Oregon City-class heavy cruiser, but had very little resemblance to the other ships in her class. She was heavier, with a displacement of 13,700 long tons, while the rest had displacements of 13,260 long tons. The vessel was also faster, with a top speed of 38 MPH, with the others reaching 37.3 MPH.
Northampton boasted a different armament than the rest of her class. Initially, Oregon City cruisers has nine 8-inch guns in three turrets, twelve 5-inch guns in six turrets and various anti-aircraft guns. After 1953, these were changed. The 8- and 5-inch guns remained the same, and ten 3-inch guns in five turrets were added.
Northampton, however, was designed under project SCB 13 and made into a command cruiser on January 27, 1951, drastically changing the vessel from others in her class. For instance, Northampton had four 5-inch guns and eight 3-inch guns, which were later removed. She also had a considerable amount of antennas and other communications equipment, accompanied by large masts.
Less noticeable, while still significant, the ship had a larger crew. It took 2,000 sailors to control, while just 1,142 were needed for a typical Oregon City cruiser. In this role, she entertained many government officials and dignitaries, including King Baudouin of Belgium and King Olav V of Norway.
Northampton served in this role until 1961. On April 15, she was redesignated CC-1, with the purpose of acting as a floating White House as part of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat. Nicknamed “Sea Ruler,” she served in this capacity until April 8, 1970, when she was decommissioned.
USS Wright (CVL-49/AVT-7/CC-2)
The USS Wright (CVL-49/AVT-7/CC-2) was a Saipan-class light aircraft carrier that became part of the U.S. Navy on February 9, 1947. In her early years, she mainly served as a training ship, helping pilots qualify for carrier landings. During this time, she completed 40 short operational cruises.
On January 11, 1951, Wright departed from Norfolk, Virginia, to join the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She arrived in Gibraltar on January 21, marking the start of her first overseas deployment. In 1952, after undergoing maintenance, she became the flagship for Carrier Division 14 and participated in training exercises alongside NATO allies, including the British Royal Navy.
After another round of maintenance in 1953, Wright left the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a new mission with the U.S. 7th Fleet in the Pacific. She traveled through the Panama Canal, making stops in San Diego and Pearl Harbor before reaching the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. With Marine Attack Squadron 211 on board, she carried out operations near Korea and Okinawa.
Her deployment ended on October 15, 1954, when she left Japanese waters and returned to the U.S. West Coast. Shortly after, Wright began preparations for retirement and was officially decommissioned, joining the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
Serving with the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA)
On March 15, 1962, the USS Wright was converted into a command ship and redesignated CC-2. Although it held this designation for only a year, the ship received major upgrades. The hangar bays were turned into command centers, complete with elegant accommodations meant for the president. Its former flight deck was repurposed to hold antennas on large masts, although the Wright still had the ability to launch and land helicopters from the rear.
After being recommissioned on May 11, 1963, the Wright operated off the West Coast before eventually relocating to Norfolk. As a part of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat program, the ship—nicknamed “Zenith”—was described as “the most sophisticated communications platform ever placed at sea.”
Ironically, Wright’s most notable operations had little to do with its intended emergency role. From April 11–14, 1967, it provided communications support for President Lyndon B. Johnson during a summit in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Then, on May 8, 1968, the ship helped tow the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) 84 miles to safety after it experienced mechanical problems.
During the Pueblo Crisis in February 1969, the Wright was placed on high alert while docked in Norfolk, but it was never called into action. The ship was officially decommissioned on May 27, 1971.
National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP)
During the early-to-mid 1960s, the U.S. government considered converting the USS Triton (SSRN-586) or a second Saipan-class ship into a third National Emergency Command Post Afloat. However, officials ultimately decided it wasn’t necessary, and the conversion never happened. As a result, only the two original ships remained in the role until they were decommissioned in the 1970s.
If a ship were ever needed for such a purpose, arrangements could be made, but there was no need to designate one exclusively for the role. This led to the development of the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, which took the form of the Boeing E-4.
Based on the highly successful Boeing 747 airliner, four E-4 aircraft were produced. The E-4A entered service in late 1974, followed by the E-4B in 1980. The earlier models were later upgraded, and by 1985, all four had been converted to the E-4B variant. The aircraft operates with a crew of four, similar to a commercial airliner.
However, the E-4’s technology is far more advanced than that of a typical airliner. It features state-of-the-art satellite communication systems, protection against electromagnetic pulses, and shielding from nuclear and thermal effects, making it a highly capable mobile command center.
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The U.S. Air Force continues to operate the E-4 today. While plans to develop a replacement began in 2021 and 2022, the aircraft remains in active service. In addition to the E-4, two Boeing VC-25 aircraft—better known as Air Force One—are also equipped with similar systems and can serve in this role if needed.