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Conversation 018-081

TapeTape 18StartThursday, January 13, 1972 at 2:47 PMEndThursday, January 13, 1972 at 3:09 PMTape start time03:50:00Tape end time03:51:45ParticipantsHaldeman, H. R. ("Bob");  Hughes, James D. ("Don")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

H. R. Haldeman and Major General James D. Hughes discussed the feasibility of transporting the President to Camp David despite severe weather conditions in Maryland. Hughes reported that low visibility and icing risks currently grounded all helicopter and aircraft operations near the retreat. They agreed to maintain an airplane on five-minute alert while awaiting a potential improvement in the weather before Haldeman consulted the President on whether to proceed.

Camp DavidPresidential travelaviation safetyweather conditionslogistics
AudioNARA Description

On January 13, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and James D. ("Don") Hughes talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:47 pm and 3:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 018-081 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 18-81

Date: January 13, 1972
Time: Unknown between 2:47 pm and 3:09 pm
Location: White House Telephone

H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman talked with Maj. Gen. James D. Hughes.

[See Conversation No. 314-1E]

     Bad weather in Camp David area
          -Dangers
          -Hagerstown, Frederick, Thurmont, Maryland
          -Airplane
               -Anacostia
          -Helicopter
          -Dulles Airport
          -Prospects
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

It's really bad up in Hagerstown, Frederick, and Thurmont.
They're all down well below minimums.
I've got a weather aircraft on the way up there now.
There's a possibility that it may go up sufficiently to get into Thurmont at 4 o'clock.
So what I did was I pre-positioned the airplane over there.
It's on a five-minute strip alert over it in a costume.
But
Uh, it's just doubtful, Bob, and one thing we don't want to mess around with a helicopter or anything that would do with icing or anything like that.
Yeah, how close can you get if you can't get in a thermo?
We can't get even out of dollars, it's bad.
So, you know, we're not going to gain anything, really.
Frederick is the closest one that we may get any money on, save any driving time at all.
Frederick.
Frederick, and that's below minimums.
So that, uh...
We just can't make any appreciable head wave of a helicopter at this time.
I've got an airplane on its way up in that whole area to recce it now.
But at four, it could clear in an hour.
At four, what time is it?
It's almost three.
At four, it's supposed, thermon is supposed to go up at four.
Thermon should go up at four.
But no, don't bet on it.
Okay.
This stuff is just like glue.
It's all in here.
Okay.
It's holding up by those mounds.
Yeah.
All right.
So you're going to hold off?
Well, let me check with the president and see.
Yeah, but I've got an airplane that will be ready for him in five minutes.
Okay.
So if we can get a break, we can go now.
Okay.
All right?
Yep.
You bet.
Bye.
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