POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF IDEALIST PROJECT TO DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00326R000100050019-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 7, 2002
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: March 24, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Re tse 2002/06/244 AAOP
DIiAFT
24 March 1967 ILLEGIB
MEMORANDn! FOR; Director, National Reconnaissance Office
SUBJECT: Possible Relocation of IDEALIST Project to
Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
IF
2196-67, same subject, dated 14 March 1967
1. Pursuant to your verbal request, we are submitting
herewith additional information concerning the relocation
of the IDEALIST project suggested by BOB. The referent
study listed a number of reasons why the relocation of the
IDEALIST Detachment would not be feasible.,. The purpose of
this memorandum is to list those advantages which might accrue
from such a move if it should occur. This assumes the
expenditure of
ment. Otherwise, the assumptions for this memorandum are
the same as for the referent study.
2. Perhaps the most obvious area of potential savings
would be the closure of the North Base at Edwards Air Force
Base. Since it would take two years to effect the move, the
testing of the U-2R should be substantially completed and the
closure of North Base could be considered. The projected
savings would have to be offset by the fact that the support
costs at Davis Monthan would be simultaneously increased. We
Th vo Ito way o.C computing the cost of tile diroct and indiroct
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support rendered to the Detachment by the Air Force, but
we believe that they would be substantially the same at
either base. In effect, therefore, the savings which would
accrue from the closure would be in such limited areas as
runway and taxiway maintenance, fire protection, etc. These
expenses at Davis Monthan will exist whether the Detachment
is there or not. We cannot provide a cost figure for this
type of maintenance.
3. Another possibility of savings would be in those
areas where the two U-2 fleets could use joint facilities.
Both are now serviced by the Warner-Robbins Dept and,-to a
degree they could probably share common supply facilities at
Davis Monthan. However, we do not believe that it would be
possible to completely integrate the supply function. It
would still be necessary to maintain separate control of the
sterile sensors and other sensitive materiel used in the
IDEALIST program. Further, the authorization documentation
for IDEALIST is not compatible with standard Air Force
supply documentation. Consequently, there would probably be
no personnel reductions and the savings to be realized would
be largely in`the warehouse space itself.
4. The relocation of the IDEALIST unit could result in
some savings in the communications facilities since the
IDEALIST communications staff could then relieve the Air
Force of the requirement to provide
communications to 25X1A
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the SAC component. We doubt that this would result in the
reduction of USAF personnel assigned to the Air Force commo
unit, but it would reduce the workload. The IDEALIST commo
unit is responsible for deployment communications support as
well as base support, and we do not believe that relocation
would affect its mission or strength.
5. If the two units were located at the same base, it
would be possible for them to exchange equipment in emergencies.
This is a minimal consideration at this time, although there
have been some exchanges of cameras, navigation aids, etc.
Liaison and the exchange of ideas would also be easier.
6. Another area of joint usage would be fuel storage.
However, it would still be necessary to maintain separate
systems to deliver fuel from the dump to the aircraft because
the quality controls for the covert operations are somewhat
more rigid than for normal operations. This could, of course,
be overcome if SAC adopted the IDEALIST quality control
procedures.
7. Certain areas which would normally suggest improved
efficiency through joint use (motor pools, etc.) have not been
included because such arrangements have already been put into
effect at Edwards. The items listed above include only those
which we believe would result in tangible net savings. They
do not include support items which would merely be transferred
from otic base to the other. It is our considered opinion that
the advantages above are far outweighed by other factors
listed in the referent memorandum and that a relocation of
the De Approvea I-or~2elease 00 86/ : CfA-RD
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Government. On the basis of a five year amortization, it is
clear that the cost of a move would be significantly greater
than the continuation of the present arrangement.
TBA
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