RE-EVALUATION OF PROJECT IDEALIST OPERATIONS CONCEPT FOR FY 1963 AND FY 1964

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 59
• Publication Date: December 17, 1962
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP633e0313A000500030059-0
10067-62 25 1A
C. 11
NRO REVIEW COMPLETED 17 December 1962
FOR Chief, Operations Division, OSA
Chief, Security Branch, OSA
Chief, Materiel Division, OSA
Chief, Administrative Division, OSA
Chief, Personnel Branch, OSA
Acting Comptroller, OSA
Chief, Cornet inications Staff, O SA
SUBJECT Re-evaluation of Project IDEALIST Operations Concept
for FY 1963 and FY 1964
1. As an outgrowth of the Special Group meeting of 13 December 196
and. in line with the informal remarks at last Friday's Staff Meeting, I am.
asking that Operations take the lead in a reassessment of our current Project
IDEALIST operations concept, with particular emphasis upon the adequacy
the 13-2 inventory as it now stands, i. e., a total of seven available aircraft.
Z. For the purpose of this evaluation, the following planning assump-
tions should be used. They are not listed necessarily in the order of the:
relative priority.
a. During the period in question, photo recor
the China Mainland will continue as a requirement.
25X
25X
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0
 Approved for Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-003'13A000500030059-0
1i0067_62 25X1
2
25X1
initially programmed for possible use in Cuba, this aircraft ma:
be employed elsewhere as the tactical situation dictates.
c. A standby aircraft hould 25X1
program from Edwards, i. e-, R.EDDOT tests, racetrack,
d. For the present we must assume one U-4 aircraft
V-75) will be a continuing requirement to support the OXCART
e. Planning should encompass the prospect of aircraft out
of commission for periodic inspections, IRAN' a, etc. It should
also be assumed that during the next twelve months one aircraft will
be lost in operations.
f. Over and above the strength at Edwards necessary to
support c. and d. above, a requirement will exist to provide a
in operational capability to conduct stagings from Edwards
1D
at Edwards should assume a capability greater than a single staging
team, but hopefully lass than two full staging enterprises. A minimum
capability to provide for c. and d. above should be assumed at all
times regardless of other staging commitments.
may be required, I I Man power p
h. In addition to all the requirements set forth abo-
should be assumed that one 3-57 U-2 will be required to support
OXCART tests 25X1
I This aircraft will be based at Burbank and will be
operated tkae It rather than overseas. LAC will provide mainte-
nante and pilot personnel for this plane which will have to come
from SAC sources on an indefinite loan basis.
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0
 Approved-For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63 9Q313A000500030059-0
10067-62
sip 3
4. To the maximum extent possible, we should not only attempt to
cost out the aircraft conversions and additional man power requirement, brut
wherever possible we should attempt a comparison. with those figures for which
we have budgetary provision in FY 1963 and FY 1964. This comparison need
not be on a line item basis, however.
5. 1 realise that this is a fairly formidable requirement and tha
certain amount of skywriting may be necessary. If at all possible, I would like
veene an initial meeting on this subject Friday, 21 Decernbeer, and it is
hoped that despite the holidays, a final paper might be ready for the DD/R no
later than 28 December. Please advise the undersigned if there are any ques-
in connection with this reassessment not covered by the above. Whil
believe it is useful for us to consult closely with Colonel Geary's office on this
mid appreciate it if everyone would make it abundantly clear
the present time this is a planning exercise.
JAMES A. CU NINC M, JR.
Acting Assistant Director
(Special Activities)
25X1A
25X
25X
ILLEGIB
1A
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0
 25X1A Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP63-00313A000500030059-0