explained hereinafter the angle of the fairlead 20 is measured and applied to control circuitry for selectively actuating the drive mechanism 18 to retract or extend cable 14 the drive mechanism 18 is powered by a conventional hydraulic motor 26 connected to a hydraulic servo valve 27 through conduits 28 the end of the cable 14 is anchored at 30 to the cylindrical sidewalls of the cable storage area 16 since the cable 14 is fixedly anchored to the vehicle 12 conventional slip rings or similar devices are not required since the cable 14 is not wound on a reel the inertia effect of the cable 14 is minimal thus insuring good transient response the drive mechanism 18 is rotatably supported through a hinge 32 allowing the drive mechanism 18 to rotate about a vertical axis in order to receive cable 14 from a variety of points around the vehicle 12 in order to position the cable 14 away from the wheels of the vehicle thereby reducing cable damage the guide arm 22 is rotatably supported about a vertical axis so that the guide arm 22 rotates as cable is retracted or extended by the drive mechanism 18 the rotational axes of the hinge 32 and the guide arm 22 are common to each other so that the position of the opening of the guide arm 22 with respect to a cable port for the drive mechanism 18 remains fixed as the drive mechanism 18 and guide arm.