The Nuclear Briefcase
“While there have likely been numerous U.S. presidents who were avid football fans, we’re not referring to the sport played on the field. The term ‘nuclear football’ pertains to a briefcase containing crucial documents that the U.S. president uses to authorize a nuclear strike when away from a fixed command center. Essentially, it serves as the president’s mobile toolkit for atomic warfare. One of the president’s rotating military aides typically carries these documents for quick accessibility. What’s intriguing is that a secure safe or vault has been installed specifically for the nuclear football on Air Force One. It means that even when the president soars at high altitudes, he can still respond effectively to a nuclear crisis.
wsj.com