Octagon. Freejack. Zodiac. Atlas. Granite Shadow.
A fresh new crew of superheroes from the Marvel universe?
Nope. These are codenames for top-secret, minutely detailed contingency plans designed by the U.S. Military in anticipation of a host of disasters.
In all, seven such secret blueprints establish step-by-step processes by which certain exclusive, highly trained units are expected to carry out “extraordinary missions.” Secret Service personnel, for instance, are instructed how to protect, evacuate and, if necessary, isolate political leaders and their families under every imaginable circumstance. The plans detail lengthy lines of succession, should the Supreme Court or Congress be decimated by a hostile military strike, a terrorist attack, or an outbreak of deadly disease. Also included is a provision establishing a back-up location for the federal government in Maryland.
Newsweek’s William Arkin reports that, on February first, Defense Secretary Mark Esper signed orders for NORTHCOM to activate pandemic preparations. With the next stroke of his pen, the Secretary issued classified Warning Orders (WARNORD) for certain units to “prepare to deploy” specific “extraordinary missions.”
Arkin’s exposé reveals that, by FEBRUARY FIRST, the Trump Administration was totally aware of the seriousness of the COVID-19 threat and, in fact, precautionary measures had been put in motion to shield the president, vice president, Congress, and the Supreme Court, should a worst-case coronavirus scenario develop.
Meanwhile, We the People were blithely enjoying the first of February — AKA Barber Day, Candy-Making Day, Car Insurance Day, CBD Day, Change Your Password Day, Decorating With Candy Day, G.I. Joe Day, or Hoola in the Coola Day — with our anxieties assuaged by these words of comfort delivered by our bold and visionary Soothsayer in Chief…
“We only have five people. Hopefully everything’s going to be great.”
— President Donald J. Trump, January 30, 2020
We were all so grateful for the upbeat report, Mr. President. But, then again, you really didn’t have to “hope” everything was “going to be great” for you, your friends, and family, did you? You knew that Octagon, Freejack, Zodiac, Atlas and Granite Shadow would be there to save your entitled asses.