VISITS TO ELMENDORF AND EIELSON AFB'S, 14-17 APRIL 1962 (PROJECT OXCART)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00511R000100100015-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 22, 2009
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: May 7, 1962
• Content Type: MFR

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/22: CIA-RDP67BOO511 R000100100015-4
. Orn-3466
Copy ofd
7 May 3962
MEb1C}BANWM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Visits to Elmendorf sing Nielson AFB's, 14-17 April 1962
(Project OXDM)
1. The undersigned, in the company of Lt. Col. Peter J.
Mcc;Mrth it 1 P2.6 , Lt. Col. Houser C. Wilson (AFCXO-3) and
'~'? l all Oil Co.), visited Xlaendorf and Nielson
A713 a, Alaska, during the period 14 - 17 April 1962. The purposes
of these visits were to br!' key personnel in the Alaskan Com-
mand about the requirement to store OXCART fuel at Nielson APB, to
survey existing storage facilities and determine the need for Con-
struction of additional facilities. these visits were also intended
to determine the most efficient means of delivery of the fuel to
the storage point. The undersigned was specifically concerned
with security and cover considerations.
2. At 0900 hrs, 16 April. 1962, the party, exeepti
met with Lt. Gen. George W. Mundy, CIW, Alaska, and. 11 .
Wendell W. Bowan, Cdr, Alaskan Air Cowmand, lClmendorf AFB. Fol-
lowing their QXMAM briefing, the deerals indicated their complete
willingness to assist the Project in any way they could. They were
acquainted with the requirement to store 350,000 gallons of
special fuel at Nielson AFB, the base from which 1-13' s will
operate in support of OXUM operations. They were also told of
our intention to use Eieloon and N1mendorf APB's as emerges y
landing fields for the A-12, and of the requirement for complete
security of the vehicle should this eventuality arise.
36 llovirw, this meeting, Gen. Bowan introduced the party,
including to Colonel's Sam V. Westbrook, DOS/OPS and
Edwin I.? tittle, DC8/MAT of the -skan Air Command. Both of these
individuals have almost three years still to serve in Alaska.
They Were given a limited QMAR? briefing and acquainted with the
requirements. It was learned here that secure storage for the A'I2
could be provided from among ext.stiag facilities at Elmer.
4. R!iese discussions revealed thi t Nielson has no existing
facilities for fuel storage that would meet our specification
Therefore, new construction vould have to be done v A should be
undertaken as soon as possible if it is to be 4leted this year.
Weather at Nielson limits the construction period to approximately
June thru September. With regard to delivery of the fuel from
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Anchorage to Nielson several possible means ware exp ored, including
pipeline, motor fuelers and railroad tankers, all from Anchorage.
There seemed to be general agreement that railroad tankers via
Fairbanks could best meet our requirement. Consideration was also
given to the means of delivery to Anchorage free Seattle. Three
possibilities were mentioneds seagoing tanker, motor fuelers up
the Alaskan Highway or railroad tankers loaded on barges. ierhle
still at ] 1mandorf, Mr. Harris met with the base POL specialist.
These meetings were concluded by 1400 hre at such time
Gen. Bowman provided the party his C-54 for the trip to Eielson.
Prior to our departure Gen. Bowman called the Nielson Base tometan.
der, Col. Stephen, W. Henry. As agreed with the party beforehand,
Col. Henry was only told that several Hqs. tIW representatives
would visit him to discuss a fuel R&D program he would be called
upon to support.
6. The party arrived at Zielson at 1545 hrs and met with
Col. Henry for about an hour. It was explained to Col. Henry that
lqs.. USAF is sponsoring a program under which certain special fuels,
similar to JP-6, will be stored at Nielson to develop experience
in storage and handling to iques under the extreme temperature
conditions peculiar to Hieelson. Col, Henry accepted this explana-
tion without question and indicated he would provide w satever
support was required. It was also mentioned to Col. Henry that
there would be a requirement for a heated building wheeerein several
special flightline fuelers could be stared along with certain
ground support equipment.
7. On 17 April 1962 the party was met by Lt. Col. James F.
Conti, the Base *ngineer, and driven to his office. Col. Conti
had been briefed by Col. Henry. Col. Conti displayed drawings of
the base, including the POL and flightline areas. Thereafter the
party was taken on a tour of the Base.
8. These discussions and the tour produced the following
information and conclusions. None of the existing fuel storage
facilities are suitable for our purposes. Zxisting storage tanks
and delivery systems could be modified but there was doubt regarding
Hielson's ability to release the facilities. Thus, the conclusion,
we should construct the facilities ourselves. The bans engineer
recommended that the tanks be erected on an area of ground, that
has already been prepared for construction which is adjacent to their
POL area. The site recommended will, provide rapid and direct access
to the aerial tanker ready area. He identified a paved pad in the
ready area complex where tankers supporting our flying activity
could park to be fueled. The ready area is approximately one-fourth
of a mile from the POL area. The engineer also recommended that a
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Butler building for fueler and t! storage be erected on the
ground a aeent to the pad on vhUft the to er would be parked.
Coll. Conti volunteered that he and his staff vo d be available
to lend whatever assistance they could. He felt they Mould advise
the activity,, letting the contract,, with regard to construction
techniques peculiar to this area of Alaska, and also they might
provide the inspection called for under the contract.
9. With regard to the security aspects of this aituatiotz,
the following comets are made. The location of the facilities
as described above is desirable. It is remote from other activi-
ties on the base, including the BALI U-2 hetfgar which is on the other
end of the flightline. The POL area is regularly patrolled by AP' a.
By identifying our area as one requiring close attention by the
AP's, and adding fencing and lighting around our fuel storage, the
physical security should be adequate.
10. Al]. containers used in moving the fuel from the refinery
in Wood River? Illinois to the tanks at Bie1son would have appro-
priate seals that would be inspected at each transfer point. It
is understood that certain basic tests can be performed on fuel
samples to reach a determination about contamination. These tests
could be performed at Biel by the lEAF POI, supervisor.
M/ap
Distribution:
1-BQDD
2-cDB/WD
3 - C/Contracts
4 - C/Materiel
5-BI/I)'D
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