(S) ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NRO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2004
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: July 23, 1962
• Content Type: MF

Approved For R se 2004/06/ -RDP75B00326*0300170005-0
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
23 JUL 1962
MEMORANDU:iM FOit: NRO Program Directors
Director, NRO Staff
SUBJECT: (S) Organization and Functions of the NRO
References: (a) Deputy Secretary of Defense memo, for multiple
Addressees, Subject, (TS) DOD-CIA Agreement,
dated 14 June 1982
(b) DOD-CIA Agreement dated 2 May 1962 re NR4
(c) DOD Directive TS-5105,23 dated 14 June 1962
(d) Deputy Secretary of Defense memo, for multiple
addressees, Subject, (a) National Reconnaissance
Office, dated 14 June 1962
1. Purpose.
This memorandum will serve to establish the basic organization
of the NRO and functions of the individual NRO elements, and outline
the over-all concept of organization and operation. It is effective
immediately and will apply until superseded by issuance of formal NRO
regulations.
2. Organizational Concepts.
a. Although the NRO is established as an operating agency, the
sensitivity of its mission and the security required for its projects and
activities make it necessary to conceal all aspects of the NRO organiza-
tion behind other plausible, overt names, organizations and functions.
The NRO thus will be a separately organized, operating agency concealed
entirely within other agencies, using personnel and other resources of
these agencies on a full or part time basis as required.
b. The NRO will be kept as small as possible in order to operate
with the efficiency and quick reaction time required. The Office will
NRO and USAF review(s)
completed.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Re1e 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R300170005-0
consist of carefully selected personnel of the highest qualifications,
and will be confined to the minimum number required to accomplish the
task under the conditions which apply. By arranging these personnel
so that other, larger groups n??v be controlled through overt (additional
duty) assignments of NRO Program sectors, the actual size of the
NRO may be kept quite small, and thus more easily concealed, although
the size of the pert onnel and resources directly controlled is necessarily
large. Thus, in addition to personnel within the Ni.O, there will be
many others who work full time on projects of the NAP under the com-
plete control of the NRO, others who work part time on such projects,
and still others who have knowledge of the NRO and/or some projects of
the NRP but who are not actually involved in such work at all.
c. Accordingly, the NRO is defined to consist of the DN=tO, the
NRO Staff, the NRO Program Directors, and their Project Directors
and key staff officers. (See Fig 1, attached). At the present there are
two NRO Program Directors,
satellite effort (conducted by the NRO through
responsible for NRP
utilization of Department the ~ NRP Force effort conducted by the N'~,E~ctor,
Program B being responsible
through utilisation of Central Intelligence Agency resources. A Director.
Program C is being established to be responsible for NRP effort con-
ducted by the NRO through utilization of Naval Research Laboratory
resources. Additional Program Directors will be established, if
required, upon decision to undertake development of new projects.
d. Necessary organizational cover for the NRO is or will be pro-
vided as follows:
(1) The activities of the DNRO are covered by his position
of Under Secretary of the Air Force.
(2) The NRO staff will be covered by the overt title of
Office of Space Systems, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
The Director, Office of Space Systems will be the overt title of the
Director, NRO Staff. The KEW staff will receive all administrative
and logistic support from the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
(3) The activities and office of the Director, the Director of
are covered by his overt primary duty assignment as e
Special Projects, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and his
field extension of the Office of the Secretary at F=1 Segundo, California.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Re -e 2004/06/24: CIA-RD P75B00326Rf00170005-0
Through specified additional duty and specific agreements and written
administrative arrangements, he directly controls all resources of the
Air Force Space Systems Division which are involved in full or part
time work for the N AO.
(4) An appropriate and similarly effective arrangement will
be established for the Director, Program C.
(5) The activities and office of the Director, Program 13 are
covered by his overt duty as Deputy Director/ Research, CIA.
e. As appropriate, and within the limits of the established strength
of the NRO, the DNRO will invite nominations from appropriate Services
and Agencies for well qualified individuals to serve in the NRO. Selection
of personnel for such duty will be on the basis of individual qualifications
for the NRO tasks concerned. These qualifications will include, in
addition to education and over-all experience, knowledge of both the
principal problems of the parent Service or Agency of concern to the
NO, and the key personnel concerned with these problems. Although
personnel selected for duty in the NaO. will accomplish liaison and
coordination in the course of their NRO duties, they will not be liaison
officers as such, or representatives of their parent Service or Agency;
they will be full time members of the NRO, serving a full tour on an
inter-agency transfer basis, and responsible solely to their NRO super-
visors for the duration of such tour.
f. Streamlined management procedures approved by the DNRO will
be used throughout all aspects of the NRO management. Program
Directors will be responsible directly and solely to the DNRO.
g. Necessary personnel and resources will be made available to
Program Directors by the applicable Service or Agency. All such
normally required support of the NRO will be covered by suitable docu-
mentation, prepared by Program Directors in conjunction with the
Service or Agency concerned, and approved by the DNRO.
h. Services and Agencies supporting the NRO and NRP will make
no reference to such support outside NRO channels except to identify
the total of supporting manpower and resources as "committed in full
(or part) support of work assigned under the provisions of paragraph
11113, DOD Directive No. TS 5105.2 3. "
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
25X1
 Approved For Re0e 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R300170005-0
i. The DNRO is responsible for all funding of the NRP. Ali. covert
funds will be budgeted by the CIA, and all covert NR P contracts will be
let by the CIA as Executive Agent for the DNRO. In cases where the
technical management of covert NRP contracts is assigned to hectors
of Program A or C. the CIA ma co-locate procurement personnel with 25X1
the Director concerned. Funds will be
RO
raps errs to appropriate e ces an gene es on an incremental
P
wor y
funding basis, based upon specific approval of assigned NLI.
N
the MAO.
j. Although the Program Directors will be responsible for carrying
out the operational phases of assigned NRP projects, certain specific
operations functions will be carried out within the NRO in Washington.
In general, these functions will be those tasks which directly concern
the NRO interface with the USIU, which determines program require-
ments, targets, and priorities, and with the principal users of program
results. To the maximum extent possible, all tasks concerning these
interfaces will be accomplished within the Washington part of the NRO
under the close personal supervision of the DNRC). These tasks will
include establishment of the mission schedule for all NAP' projects,
the approval of specific mission plans, and the obtaining of appropriate
clearances where required from higher authority.
(1) Subject to the above provisions, the DNRO will assign
operational control for aircraft projects to the appropriate Program
Directors. The NO staff will keep the DN:RO currently informed of
the status of such operations.
(2) In the case of satellite projects, the NRO staff will be
responsible for actual mission planning from the standpoint of specify-
ing desired targets to be covered, desired on-orbit target program
options (to the extent that such options exist within the system capability
of individual projects), and approval of the actual mission target program
and options which are programmed into each flight vehicle. The staff will
1 4-1 between target coverage options, based
on
also make ail on-orbit sus ec
on weather or intelligence factors. The staff will utilize direct co fn unica-
tions links with the Satellite Test Annex (STA) at Sunnyvale, California,
and will be assisted in this task by personnel and computer resources
of the STA. Where computer programs are required to assist in mission
programming, such programs will be developed to provide the maximUm
flexibility and choice to the staff, and will provide for efficient re-cycling
to meet specific target requirements identified after initial mission
programs have been computed.
25X1
Pproved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R0003001
 Approved For Re a 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R0 00170005-0
(3) The NRC staff also will be responsible for NR O interface
with the tJSIl3, and for NRO coordination of all peripheral reconnaissance
activities.
3. Pro am Directors
a. program Directors will be "second in coma and" of the NEW
for matters assigned to them. The Director, Nao staff will be respon-
sible for notifying the appropriate program Director in case emergency
actions are required during the temporary absence of the I3NRO. (In
case of a long absence, an acting DNRO will be appointed).
b. Each Program Director will submit for DNRO approval at the
earliest:
(1) Diagrams, names of personnel, and brief identification
of the duties of all of their personnel coming within the definition of
the NRO, as outlined herein. Two separate diagrams and duty descrip-
tions will be submitted: one showing the actual NRO organization and
duties, and the other showing the overt organization and apparent duties.
(2) Similar identification of all other personnel involved in
full or partial support of assigned NRC matters. In case of partial
support, the proportion of each individual's work in support of the NRO
will be shown.
(3) A list of key non-NRO personnel who are absolutely
essential to the conduct of assigned NRC work. Upon approval of this
list, the DNRO will make arrangements with the parent Service or
Agency so that these personnel will not be transferred or re-assigned
without his prior approval. Normally, such personnel will be trans-
ferred only when a qualified replacement can be in place for sufficient
time prior to departure of the incumbent to assure no serious effect on
N tO work.
4. 141-I0 Staff
a. In addition to such other duties as the DMRO may assign, the
principal responsibilities of the NRO staff will be to:
(1) Assist the DNitO to maintain current knowledge of the
status of each project of the NRP.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Re a 20Q4/96/24: CIA-RDP75B00326Rd300170005-0
(2) Assist the Program Directors by accomplishing all
project matters which require action above the Program Director's
level in Washington.
(3) Establish and maintain the NR? interface with the l.'SI#
and with the principal users of NR.p results.
(4) Carry out the aim rational responsibilities described
elsewhere herein as functions of the NIlO staff, including satellite
mission planning from the point of view of selection of targets and
target options, and exercise of all on-orbit target options.
(5) Coordinate all peripheral reconnaissance activities of
the U. S. with the missions of the NRP.
(6) Keep designated personnel in each Service and specified
Agency completely informed on the content and status of the N11P in
order that they may take the action necessary to prepare for adequate
exploitation of the collected intelligence products.
(7) Conduct studies of the over-all NRP to determine the
most reasonable combination of projects and number of missions that
should be planned to meet the total requirements and priorities established
by USIB. Monitor detailed studies of individual projects conducted or
contracted for by Program Directors.
(8) Monitor and take all necessary staff action to handle State
Department, UN, DOD, JCS, and Congressional matters which affect
the NEW or NRP.
(9) Assist the DNRO in establishing and maintaining effective
streamlined management procedures appropriate to the mission of the
NRO and consistent with the security considerations which apply.
(10) Provide staff support to the DNRC) for any matter equired
in connection with his duties, including preparation of reports, illustra-
tions and briefings covering any aspect of the K.t '.
b. The organization and functional composition of the N AO Staff
is shown in Fig 2, attached.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Rel a 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R300170005-0
(1) The Assistant for Plans and Policy will be responsible
for over-all assistance in establishing and maintaining N manage-
ment procedures and the interface of such procedures with all
Washington of fives and agencies concerned. He will also be responsible
for handling state, UN, Disarmament,. and LOi; matters affecting the
NRO or NAP.
(2) The Assistant for Plans and Policy will also be respon-
sible for the continuous study of the over-all NRP, with particular
s required
attention to the determination of the number and type of
to assure the most efficient and effective over-all program. He will be
assisted in this responsibility by a Deputy Assistant (Photo Plans) and
a Deputy Assistant (SIGINT Plans).
(3) In order to assure that his responsibilities are discharged
in critical appreciation of the present state of NRP capabilities. limita-
tions, and difficulties, the Assistant for Plans and Policy will draw upon
other members of the NRO staff and members of the Program recto'
specific
staffs for appropriate part time assistance. Detailed tu as of
well
projects will be assigned to the appropriate Program Director, o
as all studies for which contractual action is required.
(4) The Deputy for Aircraft Projects will be responsible for
assisting appropriate Program Directors in obtaining necessary support
for an aircraft and drone projects of the N P, and for keeping tthe HPNR e O
currently informed on the status and capab
will also be responsible for coordination of U. S. peripheral reconnais-
sance missions with aircraft and drone missions of the NRP.
(5) The Deputy for Satellite Projects will be responsible for
assisting appropriate Program Directors in obtaining necessary support
the DNRO currently
for all satellite projects of the and for
such projects.
informed on the status and capabili~aa
(6) The Deputy for Operations will be responsible for all
satellite operations tasks herein assigned to the NRO staff (ref. par. 2 j).
He will be responsible for coordination of U. S. peripheral reconnais-
will
sance missions with satellite missions of the USIB in regard
be responsible for the NRO working interface with r
to target requirements and priorities.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Reloe 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R0a 00170005-0
25X1
NRO
5. Determination of need-to-know
Program Directors will determine need-to-know for all persons
who are actively working on assigned N iO matters under their
jurisdiction. The DNRO will determine need-to-know for all. other
persons for all projects of the NRP.
8. Exploitation Planning.
In order to permit adequate preparation for exploitation of the
results of NRP projects while necessarily restricting the number of
persons having knowledge of the actual collection projects, the following
procedure will be followed. The NRO staff will brief and keep current
the Intelligence officers of each Service and three of their selected
workers, the Director. DIA, and his designated personnel of the DIA
Special Activities Office, the Director, NPIC, and his designated
personnel, and the Director, NSA and designated personnel. Fxcept
for the DIA, the designated personnel will not exceed three officers in
addition to the Chief or Director. These persons will be supported by
adequate cleared secretarial and clerical personnel, and will be com-
pletely briefed on all applicable collection projects of the Nit P. As a
result, they will be expected to review the exploitation capabilities of
their Service or Agency, and direct the necessary preparatory action.
Although such direction will be based upon their specific knowledge of
the collection programs of the NRP, the action will be directed by
virtue of the organizational authority of the directing official without
requiring any further disclosure of specific NRP project data. Normally,
no other operational clearances will be granted on the basis of need to
prepare for exploitation. Necessary technical data will be released in
timely fashion under the product clearance to enable full exploitation of
the collected products.
7. Pro,
(7) The NRO coil ptroller
ct Responsibii
Program Directors, in conjunction with the NRO Staff, will prepare
a separate document for each NRP project for which they have been
assigned primary responsibility. This documents will identify the
specific assignment of responsibilities for all aspects of the project,
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Approved For Rel$e 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R040170005-0
including pertinent agreements that have been made. Such documents
will be signed by all Program Directors concerned and submitted to
the DNO for approval.
S. Processing of NRO i"atters
prior specific approval of the IDNRO will be required for any
matter of the NRO or NRP to be processed to higher authority.
/a/ Joseph V. Charyk
Joseph V. Charyk
(5) Director. National Reconnaissance Office
2 Atch:
1. Figl - NRO
2. Fig 2 - NRO Staff
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/06/24: CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0
 Director, National Reconnaissance Office
(Under Secretary of the Air Force)
NRO Staff
(Office of Space
Systems, OSAF)
F DIRECTOR, PROGRAM A DIRECTOR, PROGRAM B DIRECTOR, PROGRAM C
(Director of Special Projects, (Deputy Director/ Research, (Director of Naval
OSAF, El Segundo, Calif.) CIA) Intelligence)
Key Staff and
Key Staff and Key Staff and Project Directors
Project Directors Project Directors
NOTE : Unclassified titles shown
In parentheses.
Fig 1 - (s) National Reconnaissance office
Approved For Release 200 CIA-RDP75B00326R000300170005-0