Dear WHBM and others. It is not just my keyboard that is sticking. Let's try another PC.
Firstly the status of Wideawake. The UKG and USG entered into an agreement, [sometimes called a "lease" but that is an errant description], in June 1956. It is called the Bahamas Agreement and runs so long as the original is valid and for successive five year periods. Now and then an interim change is proposed to allow this or that or have something discontinued. The agreement legislates for the "Eastern Range" or "Downwind Range" off cape Canaveral but clauses have grown to include a major part of the GPS monitoring system. There is no lease, or rent although both parties reimburse the other for goods and services. Basically the USG is exempt for all charges. They did build the airfield in WW2. They did return in 1956 [the year of Suez]. They did propose the agreement and the UKG did sign it.
In one sense certain responsibilities are shared but the late Robin Cook upset a lot of apple carts so much so that some say the USG was on the point of serving notice. Unthinkable?
Wideawake divides responsibilities thus: the airfield, the tower etc is administered and more importantly belongs to the USG. Every movement be it departure or landing must be reimbursed; every landing weight is reported. Likewise every weight-and-balance sheet so that wear and tear can be assessed. The UKG carries the burden of looking after the "pan" which includes I think the fuel pipeline. [JP8 by the way].
Informally the US may accept up to four civil but non-revenue movements per month. Non-revenue means exactly that for the USG accepts no liability. The day that the USG senses that this is a commercial airport and can be treated like a hotel is the day the shutters come down. It is an airbase.
Now what happens in emergencies? Well under the so-called Alan Mulally Agreement the USG will not unreasonably withhold succour in grave or life threatening danger. If a runway is under repair or war-like preparations are underway or the Commander-in-Chief [Mr President] says so then permission to use ASI can be withheld.
You may not file Ascension as an alternate. If you do not have PPR you will be staying at what the French call "hotel gratuite" and the Brits call HMP.
Now for a bit of black humour. Ever wonder why the TriStar or A330 were limited to 185 places? Take stroll down to Long Beach and the Chapel of Rest. [Not St Mary's Church]. Its a giant freezer. Seats 185. More or less.