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A. Gates had just learned, with the President, that Khrushchev planned to scuttle the conference. "This communications alert was not an act that was either offensive or defensive. It was a sound precautionary measure." He cleared it with Ike, notified Secretary Herter, then flashed the word to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. No troops were recalled from leave, nor were any forces moved, though some local commanders took optional precautions (a Denver TV station put out a "scramble" call to fighter pilots). "Under the circumstances," said Gates, "it seemed most prudent to me to increase the awareness of our unified commanders. In similar circumstances, I would take exactly the same action."