[FedCom] Monitoring Adventure -- King of Jordan Visits WMass

[Ken]

Yesterday (5/28/06) brought interesting federal activity to Western 
Massachusetts, where King Abdullah II Al bin Hussen of Jordan (see: 
http://www.kingabdullah.jo/homepage.php ), was the commencement speaker at 
his high school alma mater Deerfield Academy, Deerfield MA (see 
http://www.deerfield.edu/ ).

According to the Springfield MA "Republican", 5/29/06, the King attended & 
gave a speech ".....amidst a torrent of Secret Service & police protection" 
(printed version)... Apparently his brother also received an honorary 
degree.  This was Hussein's third visit in six years to the school (printed 
version).  See: 
http://www.masslive.com/news/topstories/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114888855174370.xml&coll=1 
(note the printed version of the newspaper gave more detail than the on line 
version)

ROYAL JORDANIAN (RJA) 001 (Air Bus A340-200) arrived at Westover Metro 
Airport (KCEF) around 1330 hrs local and departed at 1530 hrs local.  In 
addition a private charter aircraft EXECJET 966 (Cessna Citation X) flew in 
from Stewart International Airport, NY at about the same time, so it's 
possible that some high ranking Jordanian military defense personnel 
attended the West Point Graduation ceremony the previous day.

The King traveled to & from Greenfield MA via a motorcade/convoy, with 
primary convoy security provided by the Massachusetts State Police Troop B.

>From a hobby radio monitoring standpoint:

US Secret Service Protection ---  We weren't able to monitor any 
communications, encrypted or in the clear, it's possible that very low power 
communications devices were used.   The typical area remote base 164.65 was 
not used! Can we assume that low power UHF rather than VHF frequencies were 
used?

Massachusetts State Police ---  Primarily the State Police 800 mhz Trunking 
System (B Patrol 1 33584) was used to coordinate the movement.  Additionally 
159.225R/159.03R (simulcast) was used by MSP Troop E (Mass Turnpike) to 
coordinate that aspect of the convoy's travel.    There were at least 5 MSP 
mobile units & MSP 1 helicopter assigned to the security detail.  BTW MSP 
mobile units used the term "ICM" when they were off the trunking system 
(this could have been low power radios set up with the secret service 
protection detail OR could have been one of the MSP 800 mhz tactical 
frequencies -- however we didn't monitor any activity on the 800 mhz MSP 
tactical freqs).  See: 
http://users.adelphia.net/~kc1ho/ematrunk/msp/msp.html &
http://users.adelphia.net/~kc1ho/ematrunk/msp/mspconv.html

At one point there was some security concern when an automobile was parked 
(broken down) on one of the exit ramps that the motorcade had to take.  MSP 
quickly responded and ran the individual through various databases & stayed 
with the individual until the motorcade past.  Additionally the helicopter 
provided perimeter security at the airport (and most likely had USSS 
personnel in the helo).  Furthermore METRO 1 (probably with Secret Service 
personnel) followed the aircraft to the runway.  There didn't appear to be 
any (OR perhaps some very limited) military involvement supporting this 
visit.

Aero Air Traffic Control Frequencies:  Typical local aircraft control 
frequencies included:  118.35 (KCEF Ground), 134.85 (KCEF Tower), 125.35 
(Bradley IAP (KBDL) Approach/Departure Control) & 132.65 (Boston ARTCC 
(KZBW).  Interestingly when the tower gave the clearance "to destination 
airport" (not mentioning the actual place) (which is common with military & 
other "special" aircraft), the pilot actually stated the destination. 
Those interested in the flight aspect of the aircraft should check out:
http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCEF

BTW I elected not to do any "on scene" activity (KCEF metro airport is 
fairly close to my home "monitoring command post"), since I've used up all 
my "get out of jail monoply cards"!!! :) ;)  ---- All joking aside -- It's 
actually  NOT a very good idea when you monitor federal activity to drive 
over to the security zone area, cause law enforcement are going to stop and 
ID you; run you thorough a data base (which most likely will add you to the 
database), and tell you to leave the area anyways!!!!

Ken