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I’ve listed below the key off-season dates for 2018 in the NFL Year. Please note the following:Most of these are deadlines or the start of actual signing selecting or cutting of players. That means that in addition to the work required to actually wine and dine, negotiate and sign these players, or decide to pick them in the draft, there is a ton of work ahead of these dates to define what your needs are, evaluate the potential players that will be available and decide which players you will attempt to sign or select. Included in this evaluation are back up plans in the event the players you target choose or are selected by another team. Point is, much of the work is ahead of these dates.The busiest time for a GM is from roughly the end of the college football season in late November to about the middle of May when the Rookie Minicamps are scheduled. This is because this is when the hard work is done to decide what their next year roster and Salary cap will look like. Evaluating existing players and their contracts, scouting rookies, and free agents, evaluating, firing and interviewing coaches, creating player acquisition game plans, negotiating contracts, creating a salary cap plan, drafting players, signing un-drafted free agents and anything else related to generating 90+ players available for training camps to ensure that coaches have choices to improve the football team. I’d guess GM’s work 70+ hour weeks for most of this period. Here is a day in the life of an NFL GM during 1 day at the NFL Combine. A Day in the LifeDuring the season, The GM is immersed in the running of the team. There are injured players to replace, area college scouts to manage and direct., planning for the next year, trades to consider to improve the team and salary management as well as interactions with the press. In addition, most good GM’s try to attend several college games a month to directly see potential draft talent. They also usually travel with the team. While not as busy as the period from December to May, they still are working 50+ hrs/week or more, and usually working 6 days a week.During and after training camp, the GM is continually grading players with the coaches and watching other teams cuts in the hopes of finding players that fit their teams needs. any improvement over the players they have is a win. They are also watching injuries to see if they need to sign other undrafted players or free agents to imrpove their roster.A GM job in the NFL is a 24/7 job. If a player gets arrested, it’s the GM’s job to know what is going on & communicate with the owner, no matter when it occurs. He has responsibility for working with the coaches to understand what their needs are and supply the players while also managing the salary cap for both the current year and the future. There are very few slow times of the year.Hope this helps2018 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUEIMPORTANT DATESJANUARYJanuary 1Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2018 season.January 1Clubs may renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract, and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts.January 1Option exercise period begins for fifth-year option for first-round selections from the 2015 NFL Draft. To exercise the option, the club must give written notice to the player on or after January 1, but prior to May 3.January 6-7Wild Card Playoffs.January 7Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in the Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games.January 13-14Divisional Playoffs.January 14Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games.January 15Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for special eligibility. A list of players who are accepted into the NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.January 20East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.January 20NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.January 21AFC and NFC Championship Games.January 27Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.January 28NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.January 28An assistant coach whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job, may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.January 31Deadline for NFL clubs to try out and negotiate with CFL players whose 2017 contracts are due to expire at 12 noon, New York time, on February 13.FEBRUARYFebruary 4Super Bowl LII, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota.February 5Waiver system begins for 2018.February 13Beginning at 12 noon, New York time, NFL clubs may begin to sign players whose 2017 CFL contracts have expired. Players under contract to a CFL club for the 2018 season or who have an option for the 2018 season are not eligible to be signed.February 20First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.February 27-March 5NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.MARCHMarch 6Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.March 12-14Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2017 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 14. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 14.March 14Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2018 on all players who have option clauses in their 2017 contracts.March 14Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.March 14Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2017 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.March 14Top 51 begins. All clubs must be under the 2018 salary cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.March 14All 2017 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.March 14The 2018 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.The first day of the 2018 league year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 14. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 14.March 14The first day of the 2018 league year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 14. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 14.March 14Trading period for 2018 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2017 contracts.March 25-28Annual League Meeting, Orlando, Florida.APRILApril 2Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2017 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.April 16Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.April 20Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets.April 26-282018 NFL Draft, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.MAYMay 4-7Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.May 8Deadline for prior club to send “May 8 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a player contract with a club by July 23 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a player contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m., New York time, only with his prior club.May 11-14Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.May 14Rookie Football Development Programs begin.May 17-20NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Invited Rookies (typically, first and/or second-round selections) must be permitted by their respective clubs to attend. Such players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.May 21-23Spring League Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.JUNEJune 1Deadline for prior club to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only in order for such player to be subject to the CBA’s “June 15 Tender” provision.June 2For any player removed from the club’s roster or whose contract is assigned via waivers or trade on or after June 2, any unamortized signing bonus amounts for future years will be included fully in team salary at the start of the 2019 League Year.June 15Deadline for club to withdraw qualifying offer to Restricted Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged).Late JuneRookie Transition Program to be held at individual clubs. Attendance is mandatory for all rookies.JULYJuly 16At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one- year contract with his prior club for the 2018 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.Mid-JulyClubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest permissible mandatory reporting date for Veteran players.Veteran players (defined as a player with at least one pension-credited season) other than quarterbacks or “injured players” (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may report to a club’s preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.Veteran quarterbacks and injured players may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies and first-year players.A three-day acclimation period will apply to players who are on a club’s roster up to and including the mandatory veteran reporting date. Players who rejoin the roster after that date may practice (including wearing pads) and play immediately after passing a physical.July 23*Signing period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “May 8 Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.* or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later.July 23Signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, Prior Club has exclusive negotiating rights.AUGUSTAugust 2Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.August 2-5Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.August 7Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency.August 7If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2018, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2019 League Year.SEPTEMBERSeptember 1Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.September 1Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.September 2Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12 noon, New York time.September 2Upon receipt of the Personnel Notice at approximately 1:00 p.m., New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of 10 players. No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.September 6At 12:00 a.m., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL clubs.September 6, 9-10Regular Season opens.2018 Important NFL Dates | NFL Football Operations

Who called the US National Guard? Trump claims it was him, others claim Pence. How can we be sure? Where is the evidence?This timeline, revised from the “Department of Defense’s January 8, 2021 initial press release purported to ‘memorialize the planning and execution timeline’ of the deadly insurrection that it called the ‘January 6, 2021 First Amendment Protests in Washington, DC,’” is the best accounting I have seen of Trump’s actual role (among others’) in the calling in of the National Guard.Insurrection Timeline: First the Coup and Then the Cover-UpThe trial is over, but the stain on our democracy remains.https://billmoyers.com/story/insurrection-timeline-first-the-coup-and-then-the-cover-up-updated/?fbclid=IwAR3SPwSK7O9ViWOgdyoaSo4dWFaVgvNJyk8GuVvd-TOtAoxTAevVMb4fhlEI see the revised timeline has been revised again, as of today, as:We’re learning more about the three hours that Trump and his administration failed to respond to the ongoing attack on the US Capitol. And now prosecutors have filed the first criminal charges against a member of the Trump administration. We’ve added new items (or revisions to previous items) that appear with an asterisk (*).I wrote this answer on January 12, heavily referencing the revised timeline on the Moyers on Democracy site:Is Trump deeply depressed that those idiot insurrectionists actually betrayed him with their violence and disgusting behaviour and finished him off?https://qr.ae/pNdwMWMy answer may help to focus in on Trump’s role, and the role of those attempting to call in the National Guard, and those thwarting it, but I recommend reading the enitre article and revised timeline:Insurrection Timeline: First the Coup and Then the Cover-UpThe trial is over, but the stain on our democracy remains.https://billmoyers.com/story/insurrection-timeline-first-the-coup-and-then-the-cover-up-updated/?fbclid=IwAR3SPwSK7O9ViWOgdyoaSo4dWFaVgvNJyk8GuVvd-TOtAoxTAevVMb4fhlEI am going to quote from the revised timeline, bolding those parts involving the calling in of the National Guard, and also related relevant issues:1:00 p.m.: While Trump continues his rant to the mob, some members of Trump’s crowd have already reached the US Capitol building where Congress assembles in joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. An initial wave of protesters storms the outer barricade west of the Capitol building. As the congressional proceedings begin, Pence reads a letter saying that he won’t intervene in Congress’s electoral count: “My oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority.”1:09 p.m.: DC Capitol Police Chief Sund tells his superiors – House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger — that he wants an emergency declaration and to call in the National Guard.1:11 p.m.: Trump ends his speech by urging his followers to march down Pennsylvania Avenue: “We fight like hell. If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore… Our exciting adventures and boldest endeavors have not yet begun… We’re going to the Capitol. We’re going to try and give them [Republicans] the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.”The AttackIf the District of Columbia were a state, its governor alone could have deployed the National Guard to crush the riot. Instead, Trump and his Defense Department had that responsibility, and an unprecedent assault on a sacred institution of government succeeded, if only for a few hours.(DoD Memo) 1:26 p.m.: The Capitol Police orders the evacuation of the Capitol complex.*Among those later arrested is Federico Klein, who is a US State Department political appointee with a top-secret security clearance. In March 2021, Klein, a former Trump campaign employee before joining the State Department in January 2017, is charged with numerous felonies that include storming the Capitol and assaulting an officer with a riot shield.1:30 p.m.: The crowd outside the building grows larger, eventually overtaking the Capitol Police and making its way up the Capitol steps. Suspicious packages – later confirmed to be pipe bombs – are found at Republican National Committee headquarters and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington.Let’s take a little break and then continue. Again watch for the bolding:As the attack unfolds, Trump is initially pleased and disregards aides pleading with him to intercede. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) later says that, according to Trump aides, he is “delighted,” while “walking around the White House confused about why other people on his team [are]n’t as excited.” Trump initially rebuffs and resists requests to mobilize the National Guard.(DoD Memo) 1:34 p.m.: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser asks Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy – who reports to Miller – for more federal help to deal with the mob.Bowser is told that the request must first come from the Capitol Police.(DoD Memo) 1:49 p.m.: The Capitol Police chief asks the commanding general of the DC National Guard for immediate assistance.*The commanding general, Maj. Gen. William Walker, later testifies that he immediately notifies Army senior leadership of the request. The previous day, he had received an unusual restriction on deploying any quick reaction force service members unless Army secretary McCarthy explicitly approves is. Anticipating such approval, Walker begins to move National Guard members closer to the Capitol.Also at 1:49 p.m.: Trump retweets a video of the rally, which includes his previous statements that: “our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore and that’s what this is all about. To use a favorite term that all of you came up with, we will stop the steal. . . You’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”1:59 p.m.: Sund receives the first report that rioters have reached the Capitol’s doors and windows and are attempting to break at least one window.Take another break. This timeline is packed and hard to absorb in one sitting. Get up and walk around. Have a glass of water. Now watch again for the bolding:2:10 p.m.: Text and email alerts to all congressional staff warn those inside to stay away from windows and those outside to seek cover.2:11 p.m.: Trump’s mob breaches the Capitol building – breaking windows, climbing inside, and opening doors for others to follow.2:13 p.m.: Pence suddenly leaves the Senate floor and is moved to a nearby office.2:14 p.m.: Rioters chase DC Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman up a flight of stairs and arrive on the landing near the office where Pence and his family are hiding. Goodman runs in the opposite direction – luring them away from Pence and the Senate chamber.2:18 p.m.: Another text alert goes out to Capitol staff: “Due to security threat inside: immediately, move inside your office, take emergency equipment, lock the doors, take shelter.”Around 2:20 p.m.: Hiding in a barricaded room, members of Congress and their aides make pleas for outside help. Among them is a senior adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who reaches a former law firm colleague, Will Levi. Levi had served as Attorney General William Barr’s chief of staff. From his home, Levi then calls FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich at the command center in the FBI’s Washington field office. Bowdich dispatches the first of three tactical teams to the Capitol, including one from the Washington field office and another from Baltimore.During the attack: Among the members of Congress appealing directly to Trump for help is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). According to a later statement from Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), “When McCarthy finally reached the president on January 6 and asked him to publicly and forcefully call off the riot, the president initially repeated the falsehood that it was antifa that had breached the Capitol. McCarthy refuted that and told the president that these were Trump supporters. That’s when, according to McCarthy, the president said: ‘Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.’” [Emphasis in original](DoD Memo) 2:22 p.m.: Army Secretary McCarthy discusses the situation at the Capitol with Mayor Bowser and her staff.They are begging for additional National Guard assistance. Note the time. It’s been almost an hour since Bowser requested help.2:24 p.m.: Trump tweets: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!”After erecting a gallows on the Capitol grounds, the mob shouts, “Hang Mike Pence.” Rioters create another noose from a camera cord seized during an attack on an on-site news team.Break time. Pay attention to bolding and also to what Trump is doing at 2:26 pm.2:26 p.m.: While the senators are in a temporary holding room after the Senate chamber is evacuated, Trump tries to call Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), but mistakenly reaches Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who hands the phone to Tuberville. Trump then tries to convince Tuberville to make additional objections to the Electoral College vote in an effort to block Congress’ certification of Biden’s win. The call is cut off because senators are asked to move to a secure location. “Mr. President, they’ve taken the vice president out,” Tuberville says. “They want me to get off the phone, I gotta go.’”2:26 p.m.: Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund joins a conference call with several officials from the DC government, as well as officials from the Pentagon, including Lt. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, director of the Army Staff. Piatt later issues a statement denying the statements attributed to him.“I am making an urgent, urgent immediate request for National Guard assistance,” Sund says. “I have got to get boots on the ground.”The DC contingent is flabbergasted when Piatt says that he could not recommend that his boss, Army Secretary McCarthy, approve the request. “I don’t like the visual of the National Guard standing a police line with the Capitol in the background,” Piatt says. Again and again, Sund says that the situation is dire.*The commanding general of the DC National Guard, Maj. Gen. William Walker, later testifies that the call includes Lt. Gen Charles Flynn – brother of former national security Mike Flynn, whom Trump pardoned after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI during the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign. Piatt and Flynn relay to Walker: “It wouldn’t be their best military advice to send uniformed guardsmen to the Capitol because they didn’t like the optics. And they had also said that it could ‘inflame’ [the protesters].”2:28 p.m.: Rioters storm House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) suite of offices, pounding the doors trying to find her.(D0D Memo) 2:30 p.m.: Miller, Army Secretary McCarthy, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff meet to discuss Mayor Bowser’s request.2:33 p.m.: A broadcast on the emergency management agency channel in DC requests that all law enforcement officers in the city respond to the Capitol.2:42 p.m.: As lawmakers are evacuating the House chamber using the Speaker’s Lobby, rioters breach the Lobby threshold.2:52 p.m.: The first FBI SWAT team enters the Capitol.2:53 p.m.: The last of a large group of House members has been evacuated and is headed for a secure location.(DoD Memo) 3:04 p.m.: Miller gives “verbal approval” to full mobilization of the DC National Guard (1,100 members).It has now been more than 90 minutes since Mayor Bowser first asked Army Secretary McCarthy for assistance. It took an hour for Defense Department officials to meet and another half-hour for them to decide to help. And Bowser still doesn’t know the status of her request.(Memo) 3:19 p.m.: Pelosi and Schumer call Army Secretary McCarthy, who says that Bowser’s request has now been approved.(Memo) 3:26 p.m.: Army Secretary McCarthy calls Bowser to tell her that her request for help has been approved.The Defense Department’s notification of approval to Bowser came two hours after her request.Break. As you work your way through the next piece of timeline, note Trump’s eye-popping narcissistic projection at 4:17 pm: “You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil.”While Miller and his team were slow-walking Mayor Bowser’s request, she had sought National Guard assistance from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R). At about the same time, Speaker Pelosi called Northam directly for help and he agreed.3:29 p.m.: Governor Northam announces mobilization of Virginia’s National Guard. But there’s a hitch. Federal law requires Defense Department authorization before any state’s National Guard can cross the state border onto federal land in DC. That approval doesn’t come until almost two hours later.(DoD Memo) 3:47 p.m. Governor Hogan mobilizes his state’s National Guard and 200 state troopers.The Defense Department “repeatedly denies” Hogan’s request to deploy the National Guard at the Capitol. As he awaits approval, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) calls Hogan from the undisclosed bunker to which he, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have been evacuated. Hoyer pleads for assistance, saying that the Capitol Police is overwhelmed and there is no federal law enforcement presence.4:17 p.m.: Trump tweets a video telling rioters, “I know your pain, I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side… It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us — from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil.”(DoD Memo) 4:18 p.m.: Miller gives voice approval to notifying surrounding states to muster and be prepared to mobilize their National Guard personnel.(DoD Memo) 4:32 p.m.: Miller gives verbal authorization to “re-mission” DC National Guard from city posts where most have been directing traffic and monitoring subway stations “to conduct perimeter and clearance operations” in support of the Capitol Police force.4:40 p.m.: More than 90 minutes after Governor Hogan had requested federal approval to send his state’s National Guard troops to DC, Army Secretary McCarthy calls and asks, “Can you come as soon as possible?” Hogan responds, “Yeah. We’ve been waiting. We’re ready.”*5:08 p.m.: More than three hours after Maj. Gen. Walker’s request for approval to deploy the National Guard at the Capitol, he receives approval.*5:20 p.m.: After being ready for hours, 155 members of the National Guard arrive at the Capitol. According to Maj. Gen. Walker’s later testimony, earlier assistance “could have made a difference” in pushing back the crowd.(DoD Memo) 5:45 p.m.: Miller signs formal authorization for out-of-state National Guard personnel to muster and gives voice approval for deployment to support the Capitol Police.The first Maryland National Guard personnel don’t arrive at the Capitol until January 7 at 10:00 a.m. The first Virginia National Guard members arrive at Noon.So you see the Department of Defense, headed by post-election-loss Trump appointee, Christopher Miller, thwarting the arrival of the first National Guard until the day after the Capitol attack.There is more in the continuing timeline which amplifies Trump’s absolute (and intentional) dereliction of duty, in calling in the National Guard, and his and lawyer, Rudy Guliani’s, attempts to persist in pushing their nefarious agenda.Thanks for the A2A, Mike.

“Option 13": the British secret plan to bomb Buenos Aires during the Falklands warThe secret document of the British Ministry of Defense with the plan of operations for the Vulcano planes, chosen to bomb Buenos Aires and other targets on the continentGiven the imminence of an Argentine military action on the Falkland Islands, alerted by the intelligence services of the United States, in a meeting at the British Ministry of Defense in Whitehall, it was assumed that nothing could be done in the short term to prevent it. At that time, the Argentine landing fleet was still sailing towards its final objective: the recovery of the Falklands Islands.It was 2:00 pm on March 31, 1982, in Room 5301 of the Ministry of Defense building, when the study of sanctions and reprisals began in the event that the threat materialized. In the minutes of that meeting, it was included as possible retaliation against Argentina, that the Royal Air Force carried out air attacks "on Argentine cities or on ships at sea, which would have to be launched from Ascensión Island. Without the support of tanker planes. Due to the distance involved in the approach, the aircraft would have to land to complete the mission on the South American continent, possibly Montevideo or Santiago. Consequently, in the probable case of refusal to use airfields in South America, the attacks on Argentine whites are not feasible ".By then, Defense Minister John Nott had already ordered the departure of a nuclear submarine to the South Atlantic, and the enlistment of two more. The Royal Navy dusted off contingency plans for the Falklands and placed the fleet on alert, while the Royal Air Force (RAF) hostily prepared a plan to bomb targets in Argentina.At the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the British armed forces on April 2 at 3:10 p.m. London (+3 compared to Buenos Aires), the "possibility of obtaining assistance from potential allies, particularly Chile, and to a lesser extent, was discussed. Brazil measure ", for the use of air bases in South America, and the Foreign Office was entrusted to" obtain authorization for the use of aerodromes in Chile, if an attempt is made to deploy RAF aircraft within the operational range of the Falkland Islands " .At 9 am on April 3, a new meeting of Chiefs of Staff was held to assess the events that had occurred since the previous day. During its course, it was reported that Chile had received an Argentine request not to resupply ships and aircraft from the United Kingdom en route to the Malvinas Islands, and that Brazil would not provide facilities or assistance to British forces engaged in operations against the Argentines.Despite the intense British diplomatic deployment, on April 4, the Foreign Office had to inform the military leaders that most of the South American countries had expressed their support for Argentina. But the British embassy in Santiago de Chile had communicated that "there was the possibility of Chilean support" (Telegram No. 66 of April 3, 82), so it was decided that efforts should continue to determine the possibility of using aerodromes in that area. country.The RAF would call on the old Avro Vulcan bombers, whose phasing out of service was half complete when the crisis broke out. Despite so many years spent on low-level nuclear strike operations within NATO, with its long range and ability to carry a significant load of conventional bombs, it was ideal for the task.Since the beginning of the 1970s, they had not exercised their conventional bombing capacity or refueling in flight, so it was essential to train the crews and capabilities of the aircraft, prior to their deployment to Ascension Island.The distances to targets in Argentina were more than the plane could achieve, so –in addition to successive refueling in flight-, it was vital to obtain overflight permits and eventual landing in South American countries for the bombing to be effective.Avro Vulcan B.2 aircraft used by the Royal Air Force to carry out operations in the South Atlantic. This aircraft, registration XM597, carried out missions over the Malvinas with North American anti-radar "Shrike" missiles.The Foreign Office was entrusted to obtain these permits to fly over Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, and thus ensure the air approach to enter over Argentine territory. The Foreign Ministries of these countries immediately denied permits to the British.The option to operate from Chile was still open. Hours passed and planning began to contemplate sending Vulcan aircraft to operate from trans-Andean bases, for which they would have to trace a flight route from their base in Great Britain to Santiago / Punta Arenas. Given the refusals to fly over South America, a route had to be outlined that involved crossing the North Atlantic, flying over the United States, and reaching Chile from the Pacific.With these premises, on April 8 the first draft entitled "Vulcan Operations against Argentina since Ascension" was issued to use these bombers against targets in Argentina. The concept of the operation would be the following:1. Vulcans at high altitudes, particularly in daylight, would be extremely vulnerable to known defense forces. It is recommended that operations should be contemplated only at night and at low altitude. The bombardment would be carried out by radar, and consequently, the targets should be area rather than spot in nature; towns, airfields and port facilities would be the best option.2. The extreme distance from Ascension, even to Buenos Aires returning to Ascension, would require the support of 7 Victor tankers for a single Vulcan carrying only 7 1,000 pound bombs. Missions from Ascension to targets in or around Buenos Aires and recovery to the nearest Vulcan-capable base in Chile, which is Santiago, would still be considerably more cost-effective. The tank requirement would be xx Victor for each Vulcan; the last refueling would be carried out just before the last lights at high altitude with a penetration of the Argentine airspace carried out in the dark and at low level.3. Once in Santiago, the Vulcans will provide a very vulnerable target for offensive support missions. Anyway, from this base, conventional low-level attacks could be carried out, and without recourse to AAR (Air Refueling). However, substantial ground support in terms of men and equipment would be required to support sustained operations.The report concluded that "One deployment to Ascension and a single operation for each aircraft from Ascension is a feasible proposal. The maximum capacity of 561,000-pound bombs is, however, of little real significance, but the rapid and open deployment of The Vulcan to Ascension with visible resupply probes, Victor Cisterna parked alongside and announcing that each Vulcan is capable of carrying 211,000 pound bombs, must pose a real and significant threat to Argentina - if they believe we have the will to employ them ".First draft of April 8, 1982. "Vulcan operations against Argentina since Ascension"An informal consultation between aeronautical officials from Great Britain and Chile, resulted in John Heath, British ambassador in Santiago de Chile, reporting, by Secret Telegram No. 89 of April 9, that "General López, Chief of Operations of the Force Air of Chile (FACH), has passed the message via Griffin to express that the FACH is anxious to help us and expectant of having to receive British aircraft in emergency, for example, damaged in combat. "But, foreseeing an Argentine retaliation on the Chilean aerodromes, the aid would have its conditions, so the message continued: "Due to the weakness of the air defense in the southern aerodromes, especially Punta Arenas and Balmaceda, the FACH urgently needs the following, in anticipation of a possible Argentine attack: a) 4 or 5 Bofors 40/70 mobile antiaircraft units (used); b) 2 Bloodhound units ".The urgency turned out to be such that Heath clarified in the telegram that "the FACH would be ready to buy them immediately on a commercial contract and at normal price, and send a C-130 to the UK tomorrow if necessary to collect them. As they have no experience in units. Bloodhound in particular, the FACH would be ready to receive British experts dressed without insignia to operate the units, which will be normal for similar commercial contracts for new weaponry. "The British diplomat requested an immediate response on these possibilities and requirements in order to have information for the April 12 meeting, to which he had been summoned by the Commander in Chief of the FACH, General of the Air Fernando Matthei Aubel, in which "surely the issue will be raised. "The message was music to the ears of the British aeronautical officers. They would have a base a few hundred kilometers from the Argentine bases, and the feasibility of the option of bombing Buenos Aires was beginning to take shape.But General Augusto Pinochet made it clear to his Chiefs of Staff that he would not authorize the British to initiate military operations against Argentina from Chilean territory, for fear of provoking "an unstable neighbords." Despite this, there would be no problems in receiving British aircraft "in emergency" at Chilean aerodromes.Secret Telegram No. 89 of April 9, 1982 from the British Ambassador in Santiago de Chile. "The FACH is eager to help us and expecting to have to receive British aircraft in emergency, for example, damaged in combat"The Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Terence Lewin, commissioned the preparation of a working document setting out the options for Operation Corporate. Following this instructions, and after consulting each of the armed forces, the Ministry of Defense, and the Foreign Office, a list of options was drawn up, which was divided between those that were in progress and those that would remain available for their future consideration. It was intended to formulate a ranking in ascending order according to the political-military impact of each one, based on eminently subjective appraisals, which would be reviewed and eventually modified as the situation evolved.Among the future options, under the title "Attack on selected targets in Continental Argentina" was "Option 13", under which the objective and the circumstances that were considered would operate in favor and against the initiative were set.Among the first, the obtaining of surprise was noted; the reduction of the effectiveness of the Argentine Air Force; the possibility of attaching the Argentine air defense remotely to the conflict area. The downsides would be international repercussions; the questioning of the legality of the attacks; the direct justification for retaliating against British expatriates in Argentina, among others.With new data and estimates, changes were made to the planning on April 10. It was concluded in the report that "a deployment to Ascension, and a single flight out of Ascension by each of the eight Vulcans in order to attack targets in and around Buenos Aires, is a feasible proposition. The capacity of 168 bombs out of 1,000 pounds is significant, despite the limited accuracy of Vulcans operating at night on a conventional mission. "They insisted on the psychological aspect that the maneuver could cause among the Argentines: "the rapid and open deployment of the Vulcans to Ascensión, with visible resupply probes, and the Víctor Cisterna parked next to them, will constitute a real and significant threat to Argentina. –If they are convinced that we have the will to use them ".In parallel, a report was drawn up with possible economic targets in Argentine territory, targeting mainly oil fields and refineries; deposits and gas pipeline systems, over nodes of the railway networks, and the road system, and their effects on the military effort and on the population.At the War Cabinet meeting at noon on Friday, April 16, chaired by Margaret Thatcher, the leak to the press about the reconditioning of the Vulcan planes and their ability to reach targets over the Argentine mainland was discussed.Ascension Island was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and far from Argentine eyes. The preparations for the bombing missions had to be disseminated, and the Argentine military commanders and public opinion should be made aware of them. But how would it be achieved?Following the directives of the British Cabinet, on April 11, 1982, the Special Projects Group was formed, under the direction of Colonel T.S. Sneyd, within the scope of the Ministry of Defense, for the preparation and enactment of deception and propaganda operations. His plans would be implemented by the Secret Intelligence Service and the Foreign Office.The art of deception or deception is as old as war itself. In conventional military operations, commanders must not only motivate their troops, but also seek to affect the enemy's. Propaganda, as a crucial element of psychological actions, must be based on information that is credible to the enemy.Just two days after the Argentine landings in the Malvinas, on April 4, the journalist Jon Connell, of the Sunday Times, carried out an analysis on the different military options to "recapture the Falklands", stating that "one possibility, of course, would be not attack the Falkland Islands but Argentina itself - its coastal military and naval bases. "The comparative tables of the forces of both countries showed a clear imbalance in favor of Argentina in the number of air resources. British public opinion was beginning to worry about the success of the task force.At the War Cabinet meeting at noon on Friday, April 16, chaired by Margaret Thatcher, the leak to the press about the reconditioning of the Vulcan planes and their ability to reach targets over the Argentine mainland was discussed.The news would be published next Sunday in the Sunday Express on the front page. Although the minutes of the meeting reflect the regret for not having been able to stop the leak, the attendees concluded that "although there is really no intention to attack the Argentine continent, there could be some military advantage if the Argentineans were afraid of it."That same Sunday, April 18, the cover of the Sunday Express titled "The Vulcan Ready to Hit Argentina." The note, signed by Michael Toner, recounted in detail the enlistment of the bombers and their deployment to the South Atlantic, and that although they would not be equipped with nuclear bombs, "they will have the capacity to destroy every Argentine airfield and naval port", and that "if the Vulcan were properly employed, the entire Argentine military structure could be destroyed."The journalist acknowledged in his note that the decision to use the Vulcan against Argentina "may be a result of the work of 'psychological operations'" within the Ministry of Defense. "A little known group of experts has been working overtime to discourage and destabilize military opinion in Argentina." Perhaps, by saying so, Toner implicitly acknowledged his involvement in the propaganda action. His note contained details similar to the planning for April 10, and which the Cabinet had now seen fit to reach Argentine ears.Toner concluded by describing the threat in no uncertain terms: "There is no doubt that the mere threat of Vulcan operations will terrify any expert in Argentina who knows what these aircraft can do. They can destroy virtually any target at will. Only with that fact, they will be It could practically guarantee immunity to the British fleet in the South Atlantic against Argentine air attacks. "Psychological action had already kicked off. The news, taken by international agencies, was widely replicated in the British and Argentine media during the following days. The "gunboat diplomacy" made a new demonstration of what it was capable to do."Why should we bomb Argentina", statements by Winston Churchill (grandson), in The Sun newspaper, April 23, 1982It was the spokesman for the Conservative Party, the parliamentarian Winston Churchill, grandson of the famous British prime minister, who, in a note published by The Sun newspaper on April 23, under the title "Why should we bomb Argentina", justified the actions on the continent in the face of the threat of Argentine aviation operating from its bases on the Atlantic coast against the British task force.Churchill stated: "An obvious additional factor, which until now may have been overlooked by the Board, is the ability of the RAF Vulcan bomber force to eliminate - if necessary - all key Argentine air bases in the region. continent with a single Israeli-style synchronized attack. From bases in the South Atlantic the Vulcans have the range and the ability to crater the runways with conventional bombs and destroy most of the Argentine Air Force on the ground with cluster bombs ... Eliminating the Argentine Air Force with a swift and devastating blow would guarantee victory for the Task Force, and ensure a minimum of British casualties. "Although the Argentine forces were taking the appropriate measures to defend the Argentine territory, its air bases and strategic facilities in the national territory, Civil Defense organizations and local delegations of the Argentine Red Cross also began to act.But the most picturesque reaction was that of the Tal Cual Weekly, in its April 23 edition, which outlined a series of questions and answers to "these moments of tension and uncertainty that the country is experiencing", with practical recommendations in the face of a bombing by the Buenos aires city.* If [the war] reaches the continent, will it reach Buenos Aires? - If it is an open war between the two countries, Buenos Aires, London or any city can be bombed.* If you arrive in Buenos Aires, will shelters be built? - Surely, since natural refuges (special basements, underground, etc.)* Should the city be evacuated? - This possibility will only be addressed if there is an attack with an invasion of Buenos Aires.* In case of bombing, what to do? - The members of the Civil Defense will instruct the population in due time, by all the information means available to them (radio, TV, etc.).* What are the shelters for bombing? - The natural ones, the reinforced concrete constructions that are under the surface. Undergrounds, underground garages, basements of large buildings (the Barolo on Avenida de Mayo at 1300, has an anti-bombing basement).In Buenos Aires the war still seemed very distant, and a peaceful solution to the conflict was hoped for. There was no need to seek shelter or heed prevention. On the other hand, in the main cities of southern Argentina, where the movements of troops and weapons were incessant, the authorities and the population had become fully aware of the eventuality of an attack, carrying out blackout exercises and evacuation drills to shelters and measures protection against bombing.On the evening of April 30, the Argentine commanders received notice of the takeoff of Vulcan and Víctor cisternas planes from Ascension Island, showing that they would be destined for the continental coastline.The Soviets had deployed a "scientific" ship to sail in the vicinity of the island, so presumably it was the one who gave the alert to such a movement of aircraft. However, the course taken by the attackers would be the Malvinas.At 4:40 a.m. on May 1, the Vulcan threat became effective, dropping 21 1,000-pound bombs on the airport runway, of which only one had an effective impact, quickly repairing the damage. Thus began the missions called "Black Buck" by the British.With the development of military operations, and access to more intelligence information, "Option 13" continued to be reformulated. On May 4, 1982, the destroyer HMS Sheffield was hit by one of the two Exocet missiles launched by a pair of Super Etendard aircraft operating from the Rio Grande Naval Air Base in Tierra del Fuego.The option of bombing Buenos Aires was diluted from the planning, which now concentrated mainly on the Military Air Bases in the south of the continent. Every time the British fleet received a certain blow from the Argentine aviation, the plans were adjusted in the face of parliamentary pressure and public opinion.However, the idea of ​​bombing Buenos Aires, which had arisen even before April 2 and discarded as operations evolved, regained force on May 13, but for a new psychological action.Clipping of the newspaper "Daily Express" of April 19, 1982, with speculation of possible targets in the Argentine mainland.Prior to the British landings at San Carlos, on Soledad Island, Argentine land-based aviation was considered the main threat to the establishment of a safe beachhead.The Special Projects Group made a proposal to "spread the word by discrete, non-attributable means that daytime attacks with Vulcan bombers are being planned against targets to the north on the mainland, prior to any major landings in the Falkland Islands." This would try to reduce the number of attacking aircraft in the Malvinas area of ​​operations, withdrawing some elements to the airfields in the north.In any case, to be effective, the rumor had to be credible and attractive to Argentine commanders. The Group considered that "if it were reported that the attacks are being changed to daylight hours, this could motivate the Argentine Air Force to actively seek the showdown in order to achieve a prestigious victory by shooting down a Vulcan. Indicating that the attacks will be carried out against a large fuel installation near Buenos Aires, a credible option, is expected to attract some fighters to the north. "Colonel T.S. Sneyd, ends his report stating: "It is recommended that authorization be granted to use discreet and non-attributable means to inform the Argentine authorities that Vulcan planes are going to attack fuel facilities in the Buenos Aires area in the light of day in the future. It will be emphasized that the change to bombardment in daylight hours is in order to achieve greater precision and thus reduce civilian casualties. "The political consequences of a British action on the continent conditioned any attack of these characteristics. Argentina found support within the Organization of American States, and the possibility of regionalizing the conflict was always latent. It was a risk that Britain did not intend to take. It had justified its military reaction on the principle of legitimate defense of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and in Resolution 502 of the Security Council, so that an open attack on the continent seemed unnecessary, and this would endanger legality of your actions.There was always the possibility that Britain could fail in its primary military objective in the Falkland Islands, and that the Task Force would be humiliated. It was thus that, until the end of the conflict, the idea of ​​these attacks on the continent was never discarded, nor were planning suspended.The option would be reserved for when the military operational needs so required, provided that the means employed justified and international condemnation was supported. "Option 13", from "Attacks on selected targets in Continental Argentina", was always on the planning table, waiting to obtain the green light in the War Cabinet.The bombing of the city of Buenos Aires remained in force in the minds of British planners as well as in the design of psychological warfare actions.