The Fascinating Anatomy of the Presidential Motorcade

Updated Jul 2, 2020 3:18 PM EDT

The Presidential Motorcade is both the safest and seemingly the riskiest convoy on the planet. This globe-trotting fleet of vehicles is basically a rolling, armored White House, complete with its own contingency response force, communications office, press corps and medical facilities.

The Presidential Motorcade readly to roll., AP

The Presidential Motorcade is built from a fleet of both custom and sometimes rented vehicles. A finite amount of Presidential limousines exist, with between 16 and 20 being an estimate. Careful planning and a logistical symphony has to take place in order to pre-position the most capable (and usually newest) vehicles based on the threat level and operating environment at each destination.

It is not uncommon of for the President to visit three separate cities during a single day, especially during campaign season. That means three separate motorcade detachments need to be forward deployed to those cities. This is done via USAF heavy-transports such as C-17s, or on some occasions, a single C-5 Galaxy.

A pair of Presidential Limos are loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III., USAF

In addition to the Presidential Motorcade being forward deployed to where the President is heading, it is now usually customary to deploy a pair of Presidential Airlift helicopters to the destination regardless of if they are used or not. These could be either a pair of “Marine One” VH-3D Sea Kings or VH-60N Black Hawks belonging to Marine Helicopter Squadron 1, otherwise known as HMX-1 . The unit is located along the Potomac River in Quantico, Virginia. Like the motorcade, these choppers usually arrive via USAF heavy transport and they are often not seen outside of a local orientation and maintenance check flight that occurs days before the President arrives

Marine One VH-3D and support MV-22s, all belonging to HMX-1, as well as the “The Beast,” seen during a Presidential visit to Manhattan. , Reuters

Their main mission is to offer the White House and the Secret Service a contingency presidential transport solution in an any number of types of emergency or special circumstance.

Multiple USAF heavy transports are required to facilitate a single presidential visit, and those flights come at a steep cost.

“The Beast” rolls across the apron with C-5 Galaxy transports in the background., AP

The Presidential Motorcade consists of a wide variety of vehicles. The exact configuration changes depending on the mission and the assets at hand, but the basic layout diagrammed in this story is fairly customary. Sometimes extra cars are added in different positions, and just because the Presidential limousines are in motion, the President isn’t necessarily inside one of them. The protective detail of the Secret Service are masters of what they do, and they know how to optimize their capabilities against a potential enemy’s weaknesses and strengths.

Generally the Presidential Motorcade is made up of the following components:

The key components of the Presidential Motorcade. , The Drive

Route Car & Pilot Car

The Route Car runs minutes ahead of the Presidential Motorcade, presumably checking the route and providing guidance for inbound “sweepers” [see below] while also providing intelligence to the entire motorcade. The Pilot Car does the same but runs a minute or even just seconds in front of the motorcade. It may be accompanied by motorcycle police to cut off key intersections and highway overpasses.

These are usually throngs of police on motorcycles and in patrol cars as part of a Presidential Motorcade. They deploy in front of the motorcade, clearing the way so that the motorcade’s speed can remain as consistent.

The lead of the core of the Presidential Motorcade formation. It works as a guide and a buffer for what lies ahead. It can be a Secret Service Suburban, a local marked police car, or really any car the Secret Service chooses—such as the BMW pictured.

A BMW lead car with the Presidential Limo in tow makes its way through tight streets in the UK., AP

Presidential Limousine: Code Name “Stagecoach” or “Spare”

The Presidential limousine rides at the very center of the motorcade “package.” What appears to be a very heavy Cadillac is really an extremely survivable and luxurious armored car. “The Beast” as latest addition to Presidential limo history is known, is outfitted with a plethora of unique capabilities and countermeasures, each one aimed at keeping the President safe and allowing him to rapidly evade danger during an attack, whether direct (ambush) or indirect (gassing a city, etc).

A pair of 2005 DTS style Presidential limousines in the motorcade. , Paul Carter

The Beast’s defense capabilities include top-level ballistic armoring, night vision/infrared driving systems , a sealed cabin with an independent air supply capable of enduring a nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) attack, and even a supply of the President’s blood type. Other rumored features include infrared smoke-screen and oil slick deployment capability, as well as tear gas dispensers, and, frankly, just about anything you or Tom Clancy can think of. All of this is in addition to a state-of-the-art communications connectivity system, including internet and secure telephone communications.

“ The Beast” at the Capital steps. The type was introduced in 2009. , AP

“The Beast,” which was introduced in 2009 during President Obama’s inauguration, has an imposing stance, and looks like the offspring of a Cadillac STS and an MRAP . For all its obvious benefits, this cool-looking Presidential hauler has its detractors . The limousine is more of an armored assault truck than a car, yet it does not benefit from an assault truck’s ground clearance. It can be tricky to maneuver on tight city streets , is said to be extremely heavy, and has broken down while on high-profile missions . To be fair, the older model was not immune to breaking down either.

A secret service agent dusts off The Beast while on a mission. , AP

There are a finite number of these new “Beast” cars and oftentimes the President will be seen riding in a 2005 Cadillac DTS inspired Presidential limousine, or even one of the Secret Service’s up-armored Suburbans that are regularly used to move the Vice President and other VVIPs around.

One of the Secret Service’s armored Suburbans., AP

In fact, when traveling overseas to especially dangerous locales with questionable road conditions, armored Suburbans can make up almost the entire Presidential Motorcade. This was the case in Iraq, where up-armored Humvees were used as ‘sweepers.’ The sticks attached to the top of the Suburbans in the picture below are the aerials for improvised explosive device jamming equipment .

Obama heads to Camp Victory in Baghdad., White House

The ‘Stagecoach,’ the name for whatever car the President is in, is the whole focus of Presidential Motorcade. Everything is centered on making sure that car makes it to its destination. In addition to ‘Stagecoach,’ at least one identical car always accompanies it, and sometimes many more. These cars, known as ‘Spares,’ are used as a backup and blocking vehicle should POTUS’s vehicle have a mechanical issue or is attacked, as well a serving as decoys.

While the motorcade is in motion, highly trained Secret Service drivers execute a classic roving ‘shell game,’ weaving Stagecoach and Spare, or Spares, in and out among each other so that a would-be attacker would have a tough time picking the car actually containing the President. The Presidential limousines even have identical plates.

A pair of “Beasts” act as Stagecoach and Spare. , AP

The Secret Service agents that drive the Presidential limousines are among the best and most trusted personnel in the institution. They go through constant drills at the Secret Service’s sprawling James J. Rowley training complex , including defensive and offensive driving courses, as well as elaborate life-like tactical scenarios that bring all the elements of the motorcade together to defeat or evade a whole slew of possible threats.

President & First Lady seen in “The Beast.” , White House

Currently, the Secret Service is working on a new Presidential limo that should be ready for the 2017 Inauguration, and will likely replace the 2005 DTS-style armored limousines that will be over a decade old.

President making a call in a Secret Service heavily armored VVIP Suburban. , White House

Presidential Security Detail SUV: Code Named “Halfback”

Halfback is the following car for Stagecoach and Spare(s), and it carries the President’s Secret Service protective detail. Usually this vehicle is a specially outfitted Chevrolet Suburban with police lights mounted on a light bar, in the interior windows, and in the grill. This is basically the President’s first line of backup should something occur while en route, and it will follow a pre-planned set of defensive driving and VIP protection tactics based on a long list of contingencies. Rear-facing third row seating usually has at least one overtly armed Secret Service Agent sitting with the window or tailgate open.

The President’s security detail riding in Halfback., Paul Carter

Electronic Countermeasures Vehicle Code Name: “Watchtower”

This vehicle has large vertical aerials and domes on its spine and actively jams communications and remote detonating devices. In some configurations, it may also work at detecting incoming projectiles and small unmanned aircraft via short-wave radar.

This vehicle, along with others in the motorcade, may also provide laser warning (used by some anti-tank guided missiles) and radar warning for the convoy. If a threat is detected, such as one using a laser for designation and ranging, or if a threat radar were detected, IR smoke, chaff and targeted jamming could be deployed, disrupting such an attack.

Electronics countermeasure vehicle with its unique profile. , Paul Carter

Counter-improvised explosive device (IED) and communications selective and barrage jamming technology have come a long way after almost a decade and half of counter-insurgency warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the height of both wars, remotely detonated IEDs were the leading cause of casualties among deployed forces. Systems such as the CREW Duke have likely saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives overseas. Even more advanced technology has been deployed across Afghanistan and Iraq on MRAPs, APCs and armored cars during the latter half of the last decade, much of which is also likely deployed on this life-saving support vehicle.

Control Vehicle & Support Vehicles

Support Vehicles usually transport high-value staff, such as parts of the President’s cabinet and their security detail, as well as additional security personnel and the President’s doctor.

The Control Vehicle carries a top military aid with the highest level of clearance, who would assist the Commander-in-Chief during a major military incident, giving operational guidance, and if need be, activating the Nuclear Football . These vehicles are usually modified SUVs, such as Chevrolet Suburbans with enhanced communications and low-profile police lighting, or rented vans.

The Presidential Motorcade makes its way through traffic on a rain-soaked highway. , AP

Counter Assault Team Vehicles: Nicknamed “Hawkeye Renegade”

These vehicles are also usually black Suburbans or some other large SUV, with police lights, rails and running boards for external transport of agents, and they always have their rear gates ajar with a heavily armed and armored commando hanging out of the back, assault rifle at the ready.

The Secret Service’s Counter Assault Team, known as the ‘CAT,’ gives the Presidential Motorcade its heavy hitting combat punch. These elite Secret Service operators, selected from a tiny fraction of those who apply, carry state-of-the-art arms, including assault rifles, night vision goggles, expendables like flash bangs and concussion grenades, and sometimes heavy body armor.

The heavily-armed CAT riding in one of the motorcade’s Suburbans. , AP

The CAT is the direct action unit that rapidly counter-attacks if the convoy is ambushed, or it sets up a defensive buffer if the convoy were about to be attacked. Meanwhile, the President’s Security Detail would work to rapidly evacuate the President from the scene.

Imagine an advancing, overwhelming, wall-like onslaught of suppressive fire and you get the picture of what these highly trained operators are all about. If they can’t vanquish a threat as it emerges or immediately extinguish an attack as it is initiated, they buy the President’s security detail time and space.

The CAT on the move during a mission., AP

Intelligence Division Vehicle: The “ID Car”

This vehicle works as a ‘big picture’ intelligence node, communicating with over-watch and surveillance units, local police, and other intelligence sources about possible threats or obstacles along the motorcade’s route. The agents in this car try to identify problems before they occur.

Hazard Materials Mitigation Unit

This black work truck carries sensors to detect, and gear to respond to, nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) weapons attacks that threaten the Motorcade. It also works as a roving storage vehicle, carrying supplies and other classified capabilities.

The HAZMAT Mitigation Unit on the roll. , Paul Carter

These vehicles are usually large vans that carry the White House Press Corps in the motorcade. Obviously, this space is reserved for major news outlets and the White House media team. This includes a camera, wire and general press vans.

The White House Communications Agency Vehicle: Code Name “Roadrunner”

Roadrunner, also known as the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle, is one of the most conspicuous vehicles in Motorcade. A beefed-up Suburban, it houses a large satellite communications array and posts an antenna farm along its roof-line.

White House Communivation Agency vehicle code named Road Runner. , Paul Carter

This vehicle keeps the President and White House officials securely connected to the world, providing encrypted voice, internet and video communications via the Pentagon’s constellation of hardened communications satellites. This vehicle may also be able to handle communications for nuclear arms release.

Roadrunner also helps facilitate secure communications within the Motorcade itself. Think of it as a big rolling data encryption center, wifi hotspot, radio repeater and doomsday communications control center.

An ambulance is a constant feature at the rear of the Presidential Motorcade. It is there to treat injuries that may occur following an attack, a wreck or an unexpected biological event. This resource is primarily reserved for the President.

An ambulance is always in tow. , Paul Carter

This is usually a phalanx of local police vehicles, such as motorcycles and marked patrol cars. Their job is to provide early warning and a defensive buffer for the rear of the motorcade.

A brace of police motorcycle officers makes up the Rear Guard., AP

When the President travels, the Secret Service gets access to a Department of Homeland Security helicopter that provides intelligence, planning and over-watch for presidential movements. Depending on where the President is headed, this mission can be executed using a Coast Guard, Border Patrol, US Customs or other federal government chopper.

A Secret Service agent peers out the side of a USCG MH-60T., Paul Carter

Although rarely deployed in Presidential travel, a pair of heavily modified and thickly armored buses were procured by the Secret Service around the turn of the decade. The joint project between Prevost Car and Hemphill Brothers Coach Company, known as the model X3-45 VIP 3, allows the President to travel more efficiently by road in rural areas when many stops are on the schedule.

The blacked-out Ground Force One sits at the ready. , AP

Once delivered, these roving White Houses were painted gloss black and had advance communications installed to interconnect them with Roadrunner and the world beyond, as well as other improvements similar to what you would find in the Presidential limousine. Both limo buses were used leading up to the 2012 election, with President Obama using them to campaign across America’s heartland.

Obama waving from the entry of Ground Force One. , AP

So there you have it: the real anatomy of the Presidential Motorcade. On a personal note, I have had the pleasure to see the whole motorcade, Air Force One, Marine One, Secret Service ballet multiple times with my own eyes. It is an absolutely amazing spectacle to watch.

The incredible focus and professionalism of everyone involved, and the way they balance time and risk, is mind boggling. When you think of the term ‘well-oiled machine,’ this is the picture that should pop into your head. There is an absolutely astonishing amount of moving parts that go into each and every Presidential movement.

The Presidential Motorcade touring Jordan’s historical sites. , White House

The times I’ve had the privilege to watch Air Force One’s arrival and departure, the motorcade moved into formation almost magically, zooming up to the President at the exact moment and speeding triumphantly across the tarmac in a wheel-like formation when he returned. Once stopped at the steps of Air Force One—just as its jet engines were spooling up—the President got out of his limousine, ran up the stairs and waved goodbye, the cabin door shutting after he entered. At that exact moment, the iconic 747 was rolling down the apron. Meanwhile the motorcade was ripping off back across the tarmac to prepare for transport. It is a single fluid and perfectly-timed set of movements.

I had never seen anything like it in my life and it plays far different in person than on television.

What I took away from these experiences, including observing the throngs of sharp shooters and heavily armed men and women staring at virtually everything behind tinted sunglasses, is this is not only a critical mission, but it is also an art form and a showcase of what we are capable of as a nation.

The Presidential Motorcade speeds across the tarmac after leaving Air Force One., AP

I have seen this in the military before—to varying degrees, and especially in top tier units, where it is not just about schedules or procedures, but also about nailing it exactly the same way every time and making it look easy. Of course, it’s anything but easy, and the Secret Service has to get it right every time.

All the technology that goes into protecting the President is amazing, and frankly, so is the price tag. But there is a reason why this incredible traveling show, perhaps the most expensive in the world, rarely makes news beyond the objective of the mission itself. That is because the people orchestrating it are absolutely the best at what they do and they go about their business knowing that the world is watching.

The Presidential Motorcade moves along Highway 101. , AP

Sure there have been recent controversies , but the White House arm of the Secret Service is a national treasure. They have a mind blowingly difficult job and they deserve much more recognition than they will ever receive. The fact that the most powerful and targeted man on earth can drive around where he wants to go on a regular basis, and it all seems normal and uneventful, is just a reminder of that.

Contact the author at tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2020年7月2日下午3:18

总统车队既是地球上最安全的车队，也是风险最高的车队。这支环球旅行的车队基本上就是一座移动的、装甲化的白宫，配备了自己的应急反应部队、通讯办公室、新闻团队和医疗设施。

总统车队准备出发。（美联社）

总统车队由定制车辆和有时租赁的车辆组成。总统专用轿车的数量有限，估计在16到20辆之间。为了根据每个目的地的安全威胁等级和作战环境，预先部署性能最佳（通常也是最新款）的车辆，需要进行周密的计划和协调的后勤保障。

总统一天之内访问三个不同的城市并不罕见，尤其是在竞选期间。这意味着需要提前部署三支车队前往这些城市。这通常由美国空军的重型运输机（例如C-17）完成，有时也会使用一架C-5“银河”运输机。

两辆总统豪华轿车被装载到一架C-17“环球霸王III”运输机上。（美国空军）

除了总统车队会提前部署到总统的目的地之外，现在通常还会部署两架总统专机直升机前往目的地，无论是否实际使用。这些直升机可能是隶属于海军陆战队第一直升机中队（HMX-1）的两架“海军陆战队一号”VH-3D“海王”直升机，也可能是VH-60N“黑鹰”直升机。该中队驻扎在弗吉尼亚州匡蒂科的波托马克河沿岸。与车队一样，这些直升机通常由美国空军重型运输机运送，而且除了总统抵达前几天进行的当地飞行训练和维护检查飞行之外，它们通常不会出现在公众视野中。

路透社报道，在总统访问曼哈顿期间，可以看到隶属于HMX-1中队的“海军陆战队一号”VH-3D直升机和支援用的MV-22直升机，以及绰号“野兽”的飞机。

他们的主要任务是为白宫和特勤局提供应对各种紧急情况或特殊情况的总统应急运输解决方案。

一次总统访问需要多架美国空军重型运输机，而这些航班的成本非常高昂。

“巨兽”号货轮驶过停机坪，背景中可以看到C-5“银河”运输机。（美联社）

总统车队由各种车辆组成。具体的车辆配置会根据任务和可用资源而变化，但本文所示的基本布局相当常见。有时会在不同位置增加额外的车辆，而且即使总统座驾在行驶中，总统也不一定在其中。特勤局的安保人员经验丰富，深谙如何利用潜在敌人的弱点和优势来优化自身能力。

总统车队通常由以下部分组成：

总统车队的关键组成部分。

路线车和引导车

路线车会在总统车队前方几分钟行驶，其作用可能是勘察路线，为后续的“清扫车”（见下文）提供指引，同时也会向整个车队提供情报。领航车的作用类似，但行驶时间仅比车队提前一分钟甚至几秒钟。领航车可能由摩托车警察陪同，以封锁关键路口和高速公路立交桥。

通常情况下，总统车队出行时，会有大批骑着摩托车和开着巡逻车的警察随行。他们会部署在车队前方，为车队开路，以确保车队速度保持稳定。

总统车队核心编队的领头车辆。它起到引导和缓冲的作用，保护前方车辆。它可以是特勤局的雪佛兰Suburban，也可以是当地警车，或者特勤局选择的任何车辆——例如图中所示的宝马。

一辆宝马领头车拖着总统座驾，驶过英国狭窄的街道。（美联社）

总统座驾：代号“驿马车”或“备用车”

总统座驾位于车队的最中央。这辆看似笨重的凯迪拉克，实际上是一辆极其坚固耐用的豪华装甲车。“野兽”——总统座驾史上最新成员——配备了众多独特的功能和反制措施，每一项都旨在保障总统的安全，并使他能够在遭受攻击时迅速脱离危险，无论是直接攻击（伏击）还是间接攻击（例如毒气袭击）。

车队中有两辆2005款DTS型总统座驾。——保罗·卡特

这辆“野兽”的防御能力包括顶级防弹装甲、夜视/红外驾驶系统、配备独立供气系统的密封座舱（能够抵御核生化武器袭击），甚至还储备了总统的血型。其他传闻中的功能还包括红外烟幕和油污投放系统、催泪瓦斯发射器，以及坦白说，你或汤姆·克兰西能想到的几乎所有东西。除此之外，它还配备了最先进的通信连接系统，包括互联网和安全电话通信。

国会大厦台阶上的“野兽”字样。该字体于2009年推出。（美联社）

这辆名为“野兽”（The Beast）的总统专车于2009年奥巴马总统就职典礼期间亮相，它气势恢宏，外形酷似凯迪拉克STS和防地雷反伏击车（MRAP）的结合体。尽管它拥有诸多显而易见的优势，但这款外形炫酷的总统座驾也并非完美无缺。与其说它是一辆轿车，不如说它更像是一辆装甲突击车，但它却没有突击车那样高的离地间隙。在狭窄的城市街道上行驶可能比较困难，据说它非常重，而且曾在执行重要任务时发生过故障。平心而论，老款车型也并非不会出现故障。

一名特勤局特工在执行任务时重新启用“野兽”（指代某种武器）。（美联社）

这些新型“野兽”汽车数量有限，总统经常乘坐的是一辆 2005 年款凯迪拉克 DTS 风格的总统豪华轿车，甚至是特勤局的装甲雪佛兰 Suburban，这些车辆通常用于接送副总统和其他贵宾。

美联社报道，这是特勤局的一辆装甲雪佛兰Suburban。

事实上，在前往海外路况恶劣、危险性极高的地区时，装甲版雪佛兰Suburban几乎可以组成总统车队的全部。在伊拉克，情况就是如此，当时装甲悍马被用作“清扫车”。下图Suburban车顶上安装的杆状物是简易爆炸装置干扰设备的天线。

奥巴马前往巴格达胜利营。（白宫）

总统乘坐的车辆被称为“驿马车”，它是总统车队的核心。一切行动都围绕着确保这辆车顺利抵达目的地。除了“驿马车”之外，至少还有一辆相同的车辆随行，有时甚至更多。这些被称为“备用车”的车辆，在总统车辆出现机械故障或遭到袭击时，用作后备和阻挡车辆，同时也可以作为诱饵。

车队行进期间，训练有素的特勤局司机们会进行经典的“障眼法”游戏，让“驿马车”和“备用车”（或多辆备用车）交替穿梭，使潜在的袭击者难以辨认出真正载有总统的车辆。总统座驾甚至连车牌号都一样。

一对“野兽”分别扮演驿马车和备用马车的角色。（美联社）

驾驶总统座驾的特勤局特工是该机构中最优秀、最值得信赖的人员之一。他们在特勤局庞大的詹姆斯·J·罗利训练中心接受持续不断的演练，包括防御性和进攻性驾驶课程，以及精心设计的逼真战术场景，这些场景将车队的所有环节协调起来，以击败或规避各种潜在威胁。

总统和第一夫人现身“野兽”号。白宫

目前，特勤局正在研发一款新的总统座驾，预计将在 2017 年就职典礼前准备就绪，并将取代已经使用了十多年的 2005 款 DTS 型装甲豪华轿车。

总统乘坐特勤局重装装甲的VVIP SUV拨打电话。白宫

总统安保人员专用SUV：代号“半后卫”

“半卫”是总统专车和备用车的后续车辆，负责总统的特勤局安保工作。这辆车通常是经过特殊改装的雪佛兰Suburban，车内装有警灯，警灯安装在灯条、车窗内侧和前格栅上。这基本上是总统在途中发生意外时的第一道防线，会根据一系列预先制定的防御性驾驶和要员保护策略执行。后排第三排座椅通常至少有一名全副武装的特勤局特工坐在里面，车窗或后挡板敞开着。

总统的安保人员乘坐半后卫巴士。保罗·卡特

电子对抗车辆代号：“瞭望塔”

这种车辆背部装有大型垂直天线和圆顶，能够主动干扰通信和遥控引爆装置。在某些配置下，它还可以通过短波雷达探测来袭炮弹和小型无人机。

这辆车以及车队中的其他车辆还可以为车队提供激光告警（某些反坦克导弹使用激光告警）和雷达告警。如果探测到威胁，例如使用激光进行目标指示和测距的威胁，或者探测到威胁雷达，则可以部署红外烟雾弹、箔条和定向干扰，以干扰此类攻击。

具有独特外形的电子对抗车辆。——保罗·卡特

在伊拉克和阿富汗近十五年的反叛乱战争中，反简易爆炸装置（IED）和通信选择性干扰及弹幕干扰技术取得了长足进步。在两场战争的高峰期，遥控引爆的简易爆炸装置是造成部署部队伤亡的主要原因。像CREW Duke这样的系统很可能在海外挽救了数百甚至数千人的生命。在过去十年后半段，阿富汗和伊拉克各地的防地雷反伏击车（MRAP）、装甲运兵车（APC）和装甲车上部署了更先进的技术，其中许多技术可能也部署在了这种救生支援车辆上。

控制车辆和支援车辆

支援车辆通常运送重要人员，例如总统内阁成员及其安保人员，以及其他安保人员和总统医生。

指挥车搭载一名拥有最高安全权限的高级军事助理，负责在重大军事事件中协助总司令，提供作战指导，并在必要时启动核足球。这些车辆通常是经过改装的SUV，例如配备增强型通信设备和低调警用照明设备的雪佛兰Suburban，或是租用的厢式货车。

总统车队在被雨水浸透的高速公路上艰难前行。（美联社）

反突击队车辆：绰号“鹰眼叛徒”

这些车辆通常也是黑色雪佛兰Suburban或其他大型SUV，带有警灯、栏杆和踏板，用于在外部运送特工，它们的后车门总是半开着，一名全副武装的突击队员从车后探出头来，随时准备使用突击步枪。

美国特勤局的反突击小组（简称“CAT”）为总统车队提供强大的战斗保障。这些精英特勤局队员是从极少数申请者中选拔出来的，他们配备最先进的武器装备，包括突击步枪、夜视镜、闪光弹和震爆弹等消耗品，有时还会穿戴厚重的防弹衣。

一辆车队中的雪佛兰Suburban SUV里坐着一名全副武装的CAT特工。（美联社）

CAT是直接行动部队，一旦车队遭到伏击，便会迅速反击；如果车队即将遭到攻击，CAT则会建立防御缓冲区。与此同时，总统安保人员会迅速将总统撤离现场。

想象一下如潮水般涌来的、势不可挡的压制性火力，你就能明白这些训练有素的特战队员的职责所在。如果他们无法在威胁出现之初就将其消灭，或者在袭击刚开始时就将其扑灭，他们就能为总统的安保人员争取时间和空间。

CAT在执行任务期间移动。（美联社）

情报部门车辆：“身份识别车”

这辆车充当“全局”情报节点，与监视和侦察单位、当地警方以及其他情报来源进行通信，通报车队沿途可能存在的威胁或障碍。车上的特工力求在问题发生之前就将其识别出来。

危险材料减灾部门

这辆黑色工作卡车配备有传感器，用于探测和应对可能威胁车队的核生化武器袭击。它还可用作移动存储车，运送补给和其他机密物品。

危险品处置小组正在行动。——保罗·卡特

这些车辆通常是大型厢式货车，用于搭载白宫记者团参加车队游行。显然，这个空间是为主要新闻媒体和白宫媒体团队预留的，其中包括摄像车、通讯车和普通记者车。

白宫通讯局车辆：代号“Roadrunner”

“走鹃”（Roadrunner），又名移动指挥控制车，是车队中最引人注目的车辆之一。它由一辆改装过的雪佛兰Suburban打造而成，车内装有大型卫星通信阵列，车顶还架设了一系列天线。

白宫通讯局代号为“公路跑者”的车辆。，保罗·卡特

这辆车通过五角大楼的加固通信卫星星座，为总统和白宫官员提供加密的语音、互联网和视频通信，确保他们与世界保持安全联系。这辆车或许还能处理核武器投放相关的通信任务。

Roadrunner还能帮助车队内部进行安全通信。你可以把它想象成一个大型移动数据加密中心、Wi-Fi热点、无线电中继器和末日通信控制中心。

总统车队的后方始终配备一辆救护车。它的作用是在发生袭击、车祸或突发生物事件后，为可能受伤的人员提供救治。这项资源主要供总统使用。

救护车始终跟在后面。——保罗·卡特

这通常是由当地警车组成的方阵，例如摩托车和警车。他们的任务是提供预警，并为车队后方提供防御缓冲。

两名骑警组成后卫部队。（美联社）

总统出行时，特勤局可以使用国土安全部的直升机，为总统的行动提供情报、计划和监视。根据总统的目的地，这项任务可能由海岸警卫队、边境巡逻队、美国海关或其他联邦政府的直升机执行。

一名特勤局特工从美国海岸警卫队MH-60T直升机的侧面向外张望。保罗·卡特

尽管很少用于总统出行，但特勤局在本世纪初还是采购了两辆经过大幅改装且装甲厚重的巴士。这辆由普雷沃斯特汽车公司和汉普希尔兄弟客车公司联合制造的巴士，型号为X3-45 VIP 3，可以让总统在行程中需要多次停靠的乡村地区更高效地进行公路旅行。

漆黑一片的“地面部队一号”严阵以待。（美联社）

这些移动白宫交付后，被涂成亮黑色，并安装了先进的通讯设备，可以与“公路跑者号”（Roadrunner）以及更广阔的世界互联，此外还配备了其他一些类似于总统座驾的升级设施。这两辆豪华巴士在2012年总统大选前都投入使用，奥巴马总统曾用它们在美国中西部地区进行竞选活动。

奥巴马在“地面一号”登陆艇入口处挥手致意。（美联社）

这就是总统车队的真实构成。就我个人而言，我有幸多次亲眼目睹整个车队，包括空军一号、海军陆战队一号和特勤局人员的协同行动。这绝对是一场令人叹为观止的视觉盛宴。

所有参与者展现出的惊人专注力和专业精神，以及他们对时间和风险的平衡能力，令人叹为观止。当你想到“运转良好的机器”这个词时，脑海中应该浮现出这样的画面。总统的每一次行动都涉及数量惊人的环节。

总统车队游览约旦历史遗迹。白宫

我有幸多次亲眼目睹空军一号的抵达和离港。每次看到车队列队，都仿佛施了魔法一般，在总统抵达的那一刻精准地疾驰而来，并在他返回时，以车轮般的队形凯旋般地驶过停机坪。当空军一号的引擎轰鸣声响起时，车队停在了它的舷梯前。总统从豪华轿车中走出，跑上舷梯挥手告别，随后机舱门在他进入后缓缓关闭。就在同一时刻，那架标志性的747客机缓缓驶离停机坪。与此同时，车队也飞速驶回停机坪，准备起飞。这是一套流畅而精准的动作组合。

我这辈子都没见过这样的景象，现场观看和电视上看到的完全不一样。

从这些经历中，包括观察成群的狙击手和全副武装的男女戴着墨镜，几乎盯着所有东西，我得到的感悟是，这不仅是一项至关重要的任务，而且也是一种艺术形式，展现了我们作为一个国家的能力。

总统车队离开空军一号后，疾驰驶过停机坪。（美联社）

我以前在军队里见过这种情况——程度不一，尤其是在顶尖部队，那里不仅关乎日程安排或程序，更关乎每次都以完全相同的方式完美执行，并且看起来毫不费力。当然，这绝非易事，特勤局必须每次都万无一失。

所有用于保护总统的技术都令人叹为观止，坦白说，其价格也同样惊人。但这场堪称世界最昂贵的巡回演出，除了任务本身之外，很少登上新闻头条，这其中自有缘由。原因在于，负责策划这场演出的人员都是业内顶尖高手，而且他们深知全世界都在关注着他们。

总统车队沿101号公路行驶。（美联社）

诚然，最近确实出现了一些争议，但白宫特勤局是国家的瑰宝。他们的工作难度令人难以置信，他们理应获得远超目前所获得的认可。事实上，地球上最有权势、最受关注的人可以经常开车去任何他想去的地方，而且一切看起来都很正常、风平浪静，这恰恰提醒着我们这一点。

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