SECRETARY LAIRD'S REQUEST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01720R000700060072-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 5, 2004
• Sequence Number: 72
• Publication Date: March 24, 1972
• Content Type: MF

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
MEMORANDUM FOR: Major General Robert E. Pursley, USAF
Military Assistant
Office of the Secretary of Defense
SUBJECT : Secretary Laird's Request
1. Outlined below are topics or specific items on which we need
clarification or additional data in order to handle the net assessment
task Secretary Laird has asked us to undertake.
2. One area raised in your 14 March 1972 memo on which we
urgently need clarification and amplification is that of residual U. S.
force levels and certain related matters. Given the Secretary's own
time requirements, which set our deadline, we would appreciate
enlightenment on the following matters as soon as possible. Some of
these involve judgment as much as (or more than) actual data. In such
cases, since time constraints do not allow for the preparation of
detailed input studies, we would be more than satisfied with some
knowledgeable officer's best professional opinion and would much rather
have that quickly than wait for a detailed, formal study.
A. What B-52 sortie rate should be projected?
What U. S. Tactical Air and Naval sortie rates
should be projected? And how many U. S.
military personnel would be located in South
Vietnam associated with this mission?
What are and what should we
project as the air defenses
protecting northern South
Vietnam from MIG incursions?
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C. What U. S. helicopter sortie rates should
be projected and how will these be broken
down geographically and by type of mission?
D. To meet the assumption that direct U. S.
military support should be projected to decline,
we will assume that no U. S. combat troops
will be available. Assuming three low U. S.
personnel levels, say 10, 000, 20, 000 and
40, 000 man levels, how would they probably
be apportioned amongst the following missions?
1. Combat support by type
2. Combat service support by type
3. Air transport
4. Advisory systems
5. Self support and headquarters
6. Process of deactivating and shipping
U. S. equipment.
3. In addition there are a number of other areas for which we
need more information. Given deadline pressures, such information
will have to be that contained in already produced reports, studies, and
memoranda if we are to receive it in time for consideration in our
assessment.
A. What is the capability of the North Vietnamese
Air Force to expand in the short run? That
is, to acquire and operate attack aircraft
outside North Vietnam's borders over the
next year or two.
sECr T
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%j 1
B. Vietnamization plans and programs over the
next year, including those in being and being
considered. Most of our questions here
could probably be answered if we could get
a copy of NSDM 118 plus any subsequent
changes therein or progress re parts related
thereto.
1. Organizational changes such as
the activation of the second 175 mm
battalion and the current consideration
of an additional helicopter squadron
for MR2, etc.
2. Performance and operational levels such
as planned Vietnamese fixed and
rotary wing sortie levels by type
and by MR.
3. Are there any plans for training
and equipping VNAF for a quick-.
reaction air superiority role?
C. VNAF Status Review, a periodical publishedjby
the U. S. Air Force. We would like to be placed
on distribution.
D. Studies or reports assessing the quality of VNAF
operations by type.
E. Recent reports assessing ARVN units and operations.
The MR or division level advisors probably
provide COMUS MACV with some such reports
on a regular basis.
F. Operational flying restrictions for B-52's,
gunships, and other aircraft -- in particular,
in what areas are aircraft unable to operate
because of the high threat from enemy air
defense?
3
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G. What portion of in-county
(by type of aircraft Y transport sorties
are flown b ) flown in support of ARVN
Y U. S. pilots ? What is planned
over the next year? This information is
essential in order to project VNAF capability
for assuming the primary yes
responsibility for
the movement of troops
The same information isare supplies in-country.
to ARVN ground (and water quxred with respect
capability. borne) transport
H. Will residual U. S,
forces over the next year
be largely employed in assisting
its logistical capability? ARVN improve
I? What are the major shortcomings of the ARVN
in-country logistical support capability?
4. I know the above requests collectively amount to a tall ord
but then, so o too does the Secretary's request to us. er;
can render on the above will hel
p us bettr serve him. Any as"sistance you
until you have a total package assemb edebut, instead, Please do not wait
whatever you can as it becomes available. please ship me
George A. Carver, Jr.
Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs
O/DCI/SAVA:GACarver/mee
Distribution;
Orig - Addressee
1 - ADDI
1-ONE
1-DD/O
- C/ONE/FE
1 - C/OER/D/I
1 - C/OCI/VTF
- Laird Parameters (VAS/RAC)
- GAC Chrono tr .
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24 Mar 72
Major General Robert E. Pursley
Military Assistant
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Attached is the shopping list.
Needless to say any assistance you
can generate in answering these
questions will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
George A. Carver, Jr.
Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs
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