FUTURE UTILIZATION OF CHALICE PILOT PERSONNEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00313A000600060080-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 80
• Publication Date: August 30, 1960
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/09/03 : CIA-RDP63-0031-A000600060080-2
SECRET
Cam-1160
Copy j_Of 9
August 1960
SUBJECT
Z : CHAAL-U52, dated 25 August 1960; Subject. "Security
Acting Chief, 3
Future Utilization of CHALKS Pilot Personnel
Ranking of CHALICE Drivers"
25X1A
25X1A
!25X1 A
25X1 C
25X1A
1. t have been mulling over the conclusion reached in paragraph one
of the references wheereein recomends that all present CHALICE
pilots be terminated and I I new ones recruited from SAC assets.
His key conclusion: ". . . The intimate knowledge possessed by present
Project CHALICE pilots concerning Agency operations, locations, and person-
nel makes their continued usage for overflight missions inconsistent with
sound security practice," is one with which I am reluctantly forced to
agree. However, as a practical matter, has then understandably
diluted this rec mendation by stating that: "If it is concluded that it
would not be feasible to recruit new pilots. . . the provisions of Operations
Policy Letter 12 be utilized in screening those to be retained." I should
like to reflect briefly upon this whole matter.
2. The major problem presented by the downing of Frank Powers on May
first was the staggering amount of knowledge he theoretically could have
possessed by virtue of his extended stay at Hans. In addition, because he
had been so long in our midst, he knew probably more Agency personalities
then any other U-2 pilot who could have fallen into Soviet hands. There was
reasonable suspicion that he bad become aware of other Agency air operations
of a clandestine nature, through his friendship with other CHALICE pilots,
themselves participants in such operations. The easy and informal atmosphere
t where he was a very frequent visitor because of extensive dental
work a ing done in Germany., was such that he undoubtedly became aware of the
activities of 0 then stationed there. We could only hope that he retained
little of his cumulative store of information, but as we a aired the records,
it became apparent that we might have rested easier had someone else been in
Frank's shoes.
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5. What I have said does not mean that this situation can be resolved
in black and white simply by recruiting new pilots from Del Rio. There Is a
distinct chance that some surprisingly accurate information on Project OZCART
may be in being at that installation, based on unverified reports flowing
from there. ROwever, vs would cut the risk of information being passed about
Agency structure, organisation, and personalities, as well as other clandes-
tine activities, to a bare s muac by getting some new faces into the C -3CR
]Project. Certainly we cannot afford to conduct a whole new training program
in the U-2 at i ards Air Force Base for pilots unfamiliar with the Mane, and
if Del Rio is a place where useful information on Project MCART can be picked
up, it would avail us little to *min new pilots at that location. Treforee,
I reach the almst inescapable conclusion that if we are to fly the U-2
against the Soviet Union, or if we are flying it adjacent to that country,
over the Soviet Bloc countries or over countries in sympathy with the Soviet
Union, we are bound to take steps without delay to acquire new pilots from
25X1 A SAC for the job. By the same token, if retinues, we should change:
the pilots there--a move which has been P now for some time. If you
concur, I will discuss this question with Colonel Geary to obtain Air Force
views and with anyone else you may direct.
JAM A. CUIMME*M
Assistant Chief
#PD-"
CONCUR: VIVW W.
Colonel, USAF
Acting Chief, kW/P
Distribution:
1-ASST CS/
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3-I PD/ PS
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Approved For Release 2002/01~RDP63-00313A000600060080-2