DEPLOYMENT OF AQUATONE/OILSTONE TO THE FAR EAST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62B00844R000200010039-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2000
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: November 13, 1956
• Content Type: MF

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C
D OIL: mar07 STAFF'. UNITED SThILS
Deploymeat of ARUATONEFOILSTONL to
East
r liS6
CE
1. Ita_shimumtThors have b genes s
ency end the Aix F t f an ACUATOWL
est to the For ?ML At the last diocasslea, whkb was held in the
ce of the Choirs:an of the Joint Chiefs issues which
appear to be wareeelved had to do with the timing of the deloywent and the
*piscine location ha the Theater which should be selected so a base giving
doe effect to politest ae well as operational coosiderations it was agreed
on that occasion that a survey group, including representatives from AIWA-
TONS Headquarters end the USAF Project Officer for this activity, should
proceed at once to the Far East to esamine available facilities and to
cease& with cutcrt sad the conurtarawr irzAir with regard to the selector:
of a base. Nan of the members of this group have one vettened end reported
to me *ad I understand that yes have reeeived a report from the Cernwitedier
FEAT. New that the motley has it04113 thoroughly implored it should be
possible to resolve any outstanding issues and proceed with preparativ ? or
the deploy:nest of the third AQUATONE Detachment.
T$-I
Cert3 of (if
is uy
bi ty
been by
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ception of certain political considerations,
even is in every referred location. Facilities be made
reliable more quickly and cheaply. Le istical support would be far easier
than elsew .regard to such operational consideration, as
terraimpi vreather, and location with respect to targets and to enemy radar,
the Tokyo area is superior to any other with the possible exception of
The coordination of AQUATOMC with other activities in the Theater and the 25X1A
handling of film and taper would be much more difficult at any more remote
location.
d. With regard to the political risks involved in operating from a
an CINCTE definitely stated that he believed these would be
manag and the above-cited logistical and operational advantages of
Japan would far outweigh any political disadvantages. The Commander FEAF
was less optimistic with regard to the political risks but is understood to
believe that, in the light of all the circumstances referred to above,
is the best location in the Theater.
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3. Gonsiferatiols 13 earigon the
Deployment: The fa,
lowing consid;ratiens support the desirability g to eploy the third
AOUATONIC Detachment as soon as facilities are ready to receive it.
a. The Detachment in question bei satisfactorily completed its
aiming and is in a state of readiness for deployment with four aircraft.
Although it is at present supporting continued developznent activities at
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there is not essential for these purposes. Accordingly,
It represents today a fully developed capability which in not being utilised.
its presence
b. The deployment of this Detachment from will 25X1A
make available additional space for the SAC 1J4 program, which is under.
stood to be required by that program until March or April.
c. Prespecte appear to be favorable for psrmlasion to resume
ht activities in the Tar Last. Although their scope will necessarily
d by weather during the winter, some useful missions can undoubtedly
by the AQUATONX Detachment as soon as it is in place and operational.
*ever, familiarity with the area will enhance its readiness when weather
improves in the spring. In any event it would appear desirable to have this
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sitioned that it could help meet the needs that might be
by unforeseen developments in the area.
d. It is understood that facilities cannot be made reedy even
in span In less than two months time. Accordingly, deployment cannot
realistically be planned for earlier than mid-Sanunry.
4. Policy Considerations: Two policy consideration, that hive
a bearing on the deployment of the third AQUATONE Detachment should be
mentioned to round out this review of the problem:
a. It has been suggested that all the zesourcse of AQUATONE
should be concentrated in the European Theater in view a the vastly greater
number of high priority intelligence target* that may be reached from bases
in Europe and eouthwestern Asia as compared to the number that can be
reached from the Far East. Although there can be no doubt that in the
absence of policy limitations upon overflight activities, the European Theater
would have an unquestioned priority, it is difficult under the circumstances
actually prevailing to envisage a situation in which more aircraft could be
effectively utilised in the European Theater than will be available there.
Eight 0.2 aircraft are presently deployed in Germany and Turkey. During
the next several months it is planned to bring the number up to ten (provided
there is reasonable prospect of permission to undertake extensive operations
in the spring). It would be possible (with four aircraft stationed in the Far
East) to increase the number in the European Theater to a total of eleven or
twelve by next spring if there were any prospects of using such large numbers.
In fact, however, it is highly unlikely that weather patterns over the Soviet
Bloc will ever be such as to permit the simultaneous employment of more
than fear to six aircraft and opportunities for the employment of even these
numbers must be expected to be exceedingly rare. Accordingly, the
deployment of a third Detachment to Europe either now or in the spring
cannot be justified.
b. It has been uggested that the presence cf Black Night
el roinatts the need for an AQUATONE unit in the Far East, Although
Blnek Night can accomplish certain of the objectives common to both projects.
AQUATONE represents a capability that is superior in come ways and for
some purposes to Black Night. Accordingly, it is believed that they can be
and should be treated as complementary rather than competitive activities.
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5. s: In the light of the foregoing considerations
the following c s appear to me to be indicated:
a. That the third AQUATONVOILSTONIC Detachment
uld be deployed as soon as possible to the E'er Zest.
. That it should be stationed at
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c. That planning should proceed on the baste that the Detach-
ment will be deployed about 15 January subject to a review of this date when
more definitive information is available as to the date of readiness of
facilities at
Pursuant to thes. conclusions this memorandum wiU serve a. my request for
Air Tore, support in the furnishing of facilities and in effectuating the deploy-
ment of the Detachment. It is understood that the financing of costs incurred
25X1A in readying facilities stimay be discussed between our two organiza-
tions.
LLZN W. DULLES
Director
Richard M.Bisselljr /djm
1-Addressee
2-Addressee
3-Pro.Dir.Chrono
4-Col, Leo P. Geary USAF
5.Dep. Proj. Dir,
6-Proj. Chrono (Hold)
hr
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