INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT FOR THE VOICE OF AMERICA WITH REGARD TO SOVIET JAMMING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002600310002-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 26, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: July 21, 1950
• Content Type: MF

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21 JUL 1950
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PROPOSED MEMORANDUM FOR: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Intelligence Support for the Voice of America with
Regard to Soviet Jamming
REFERENCE: (a) Letter from Special Assistant, Intelligence,
Department of State to the Director of Central
Intelligence, dated 24 March 1950
(b) IAC Meeting on 31 March 1950
1. Transmitted herewith are copies of the report of the Ad Hoc
Committee on VOA Jamming for distribution to members of the Security
Council. With respect to the above references, this Committee was
authorized for the express purpose of considering intelligence support
for the Voice of America with regard to the penetration of Soviet
Jamming.
2. The report and its recommendations has the unanimous concur-
rence of the Committee members and bearf a direct relationship to
NSC 66 now pending before the National Security Council.
3. Expressions of unqualified approval have been received from
all members of the Intelligence Advisory Committee except the Director
of Intelligence, Headquarters, United States Air Force. A copy of his
letter is attached.
4. In line with the unanimous opinion of the intelligence organi-
zations of the State and Defense Departments on the need for increased
monitoring activities, it is recommended that the Director of Central
Intelligence be directed to expand the present CIA monitoring service
as a "service of common concern" under Section 102(d)(4) of the National
Security Act of 1947, as amended, and to coordinate this to avoid
duplicating the existing facilities of FCC, AFSA and other organiza-
tions into a world-wide monitoring operation.
5. It is further recommended that this expanded operation be
concerned with a positive identification and location of sources of
radio signals emanating from within the Soviet Union and Satellite
States and with the characteristics of these signals throughout the
frequency bands normally used for communication:.
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6. The initial cost t t be as much as and annual
maintenance thereafter about CIA does not now have funds
for this purpose.
7. Special attention is invited to the urgent need for such a
facility in the light of the intensification of the telecommunications
war (Recommendation 3 of the Report).
Enclosure:
Copy USAF letter
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Headquarters United States Air Force
Washington 25, D.C.
27 June 1950 `
l /)
MEMORANDUM FOR: DIRECTOR, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: Intelligence Support for the Voice of America with
Regard to Soviet Jammting.
1. In reply to your memorandum, subject as above, dated 14 June
19.50, I approve the IAC ad hoc committee report subject to the following
amendments:
a. Insertion of new paragraph 3, Recommendations, to read
as follows:
"3. That the VOA attempt to penetrate Soviet Jamming
by increasing the radiating power and the number of
stations"o
be Renumber present paragraph 3 of Recommendations and amend
to read as follows:
"3" 4. That upon failure of the VOA to penetrate Soviet
damming by the methods indicated in Paragraph 3, above, or by some other
technique, the IAC recommend consideration by NSC of the establishment of
an additional monitoring facility, presided that eeme4derat4en to mtndertahen
in the light of the limited amount of technical intelligence for VOA which
could be obtained (see Conclusion 4 and 5 above) and the probable utility
of such a facility in any future intensification of the telecommunication
wart and farther provided that:
a. S%teh new pas#M#tiee de net Interfere with existing monitoring
programs, partteular4y Frew the standpoint of eq*&pmemt and pereen>ie4e
b. Bush new fae444ties are theremghly eeerdinate& with existing
men4tering aet4v4tiee.
gush fae4i4t4ee she & be ergenised and equippe& to leeate the eeareee
and determine the eharaeter4ettee of rad4e e4gnale emanating Frew vith4n
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SERE
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the Sev#e% Hn#en and satelli e?ne%a%es %hrsleheai the f egmeney-bsmas
xermally -deed fer eeam
c. That paragraph 4 Recommendations be renumbered as paragraph 5?
/s/ C. p. Cabell
C, ,'P*-
Major General, USAF
Director of Intelligence
Copies furnished to:
1. Special s f of ~aff1iGe2ceDepartment of thetArmy
2. Assistant Chi
3, Director of Naval Intelligence
4. Director of Intelligence, Atomic Energy Commission
5? Deputy Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff
6. Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
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intelligence agencies as to the degree of priority necessary to under-
take this effort successfully and the particular type of closely-knit
effort required. It has become apparent that the VOL problem cannot
be considered apart from other problems of communications research,
counter-measures and development which face the Government as a whole,
and that ech of these problems places head demands upon scarce in-
telligence facilities0 The question of intelligence support for the
VOL effort to penetrate Soviet jamming must be considered in relation
to the intelligence support required in the fields of counter--jamming
and anti-jamming. There is also the possibility that the VOL may
represent a security hazard to our communications in the event of war
by exposing prematurely the development of U. S. techniques and capaci-
ties to penetrate jamming,
Inasmuch as the emphasis to be placed upon the VOA problem in
relation to other problems in the communications field has not 1 ,*en
determinedg the Department of State is preparing to submit the broad
question of relative priorities among communications problems to the
National Security Council and to request that the NBC (1) establish
the degree to which the technical communications effort to penetrate
Soviet jamming should be undertaken and (2) indicate the relative
priority in the field of intelligence necessary to support this effort.
Pending the determination of NBC policy in these matters, the Assistant
Secretary of State, Public Affairs, has requested that the intelligence
agencies establish an appropriate interim effort to meet the immediate
needs of the VQA0 This interim effort would also serve as a means to
explore the capacity of existing intelligence facilities to undertake
a broader program should the NBC so decide0 At present there appear
to exist among the intelligence and monitoring agencies adequate
facilities to undertake the interim effort which has been requested.
CONCLUSIONS
The present Intelligence effort in support of the VOL is insuffi-
cient to meet the requirements of the Department of State0
The full extent to which intelligence facilities should be committed
to support VOA cannot be determined until the NBC has established the
relative priority of the VOA problem in relation to other problems in
the field of communications research, counter-measures and development0
Pending determination of such a policy, the IAC agencies should
undertake an interim intelligence effort as requested by the Department
of State. This effort should be organized within the framework of exist-
ing facilities, It should not be out of proportion to other priority
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intelligence tasks nor should it be permitted to jeopardize the
secuiity of intelligence sources. It should als., serve to explore
the particular type of effort and the extent of facilities which
would be required, should a broader program be required in the future.
The facilities to commence this effort are available among the
existing intelligence and monitoring agencies,
The CIA should continue its responsibility to establish a co-
ordinated program in this field and to collect and evaluate relevant
technical data. This program should also provide that data vmq be
passed directly and promptly to the Department of State for evaluation
and use on a daily basis by IBD and the VOA. The establishment of such
an interim program would require the active support of the IAC agencies.
gQMMMATIQNS
1. That the DCI, with the full support of the TAO agencies,
immediately initiate a project to assemble, collate, and evaluate
ctxrE a:Vai fable technical data required for the VOA operation.
2. That, in addition to (1) above, an ad hoc committee of the
TAO be established to consider and recommend to the IAC, within one
month, an interim and exploratory program for technical intelligence
support of the VOA, to be carried out pending an NSC decision as to
the relative priority of the VOA problem, This program should provide
for6
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3. That any request for AFSA support under (2 b) above be
considered by IAC and refe
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TAB A
THE PROBLEM
To determine the intelligence effort which should be undertaken
to assure that the Department of State is provided all possible and
reasonable support in the development of technical intelligence where-
with to penetrate Soviet jamming of the Voice of America.
DISCUSSIOR
The VOL is undertaking an extensive program to penetrate Soviet
jamming of its Russian language broadcasts beamed to the USSR. To
this end the Department of State requires (1) all ossible intelligence
on Soviet jamming operations and techniques and (2) the best available
technical research and recommendations on further measures that may
be taken to penetrate Soviet jamming, Although the Department has
received some useful data from intelligence sources, this data has not
been sufficient to meet the present need, nor does it appear to repre-
sent the complete body of data which has been available among the intelli-
gence agencies.
An adequate intelligence effort in support of the VOL would require?
(1)
A program to allocate this effort among all available
monitoring facilities and to assure close, daily co-
ordination in the use of these facilities.
(2) A coordinated program among the intelligence agencies
(3)
to collect and associate relevant'data from non-
monitoring sources.
Agreement among the intelligence agencies that this
program should be undertaken as a matter of high
priority.
(4) The establishment of direct, secure channels to pass
(5)
data to the Department of State,
Provision whereby this data may be used and evaluated
on a daily basis by the International Broadcasting
Division `IBD) and the VOL,
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Present arrangements to provide intelligence support for the VOL
have developed as follows:
1(1) R'SC-/+ provides that the departments and'agencies
concerned should insure the most effective coordina-
tion and utilization of their appropriate facilities
for the implementation of approved foreign information
policies. There was established an Interdepartmental
Consultative Group for Coordination of Foreign Informa-
tion Measures under the chairmanship of the Assistant
Secretary of State, Public Affairs, and the Department
of State was designated as implementing authority in
this field. The Central Intelligence Agency was
charged with responsibility to coordinate the colleom
tion and evaluation of relevant intelligence. These
recommendations of XSC-4 were approved by the President
in December 1947.
(2) Soviet jamming of the VOL commenced in February 19480
From that time until July 1949, IBD attempted to obtain
information on Soviet jamming through its connections
with the various government operating agencies in the
field of communications and through its participation
in the Interdepartmental Consultative Group.
(3) At a meeting of the Interdepartmental Consultative Group
on July 6, 1949 the question of providing coordinated .
intelligence support for the V0A was discussed in detail.
The following steps were taken as a result of this
meeting:
(a) The CIA assumed responsibility to provide co-
ordinated intelligence support, and the Department
of State indicated to the DCI the specific types
of technical data which it required.
(b) The CIA undertook to collect and evaluate this
data.
(o) The Department of State forwarded letters to the
Department of Defense and the Federal Communications
Commission requesting their support for the co-
ordinated effort to be undertaken by the CIA.
Recent developments in Soviet jamming have increased the urgent.
need for timely data on new Soviet equipment and techniques. It is now
clear that the steps taken since July 1949 to provide intelligence
support in this field have not been sufficient to meet these developments.
This appears to have been due primarily to lack of agreement among the
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LETTER FROM SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE
SECRETARY OF STATE TO DIRECTOR OF
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE MARCH 24, 1950
Appendix 1 to the Report of the IAC Ad Hoc Committee on VOL Jamming
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d ER 0?9685
Special Assistant to the Secretary of State
Washington
March 24, 1950
Dear~Admiral Hillenkoetters
The Voice of America, which constitutes almost the
only overt means of providing information of the free
world to the peoples of the USSR and its satellites, is
a primary instrument in implementing the foreign policy
of the United States. Soviet jamming, however, has
seriously reduced the effectiveness of.VOA broadcasts.
Vigorous efforts are being made to penetrate this
jamming, and in this connection Congress has appropriated
over for the increase of radio facilities.
To make these efforts effective, the Department of
State b.as a critical need for all possible intelligence
on Soviet jamming operations and techniques. The
Assistant Secretary of State, Public Affairs, has re-
quested that intelligence agencies undertake a specific
program to meet this need.
There is attached as Tab A a study of this problem
including recommendations for action to be taken by the
Director of Central Intelligence and the IAC agencies.
Attached as Tab B is an itemized listing of the types
of technical intelligence data required by the VOA. In
view of the urgency of this problem, it is requested
that a special meeting of the IAC be called as soon as
possible to consider the recommendations in Tab A.
Copies of this letter are being sent to the other
members of the IAC,
Sincerely yours,
/s/ W. Park Armstrong, Jr,
W. Park Armstrong Jr.
Enclosures:
Tabs A and B
Rear Admiral R. H. Hillenkoett?r,
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D. 0.
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6. Any increase beyond. the present intelligence effort on
behalf of the VOL can be accomplished only by:
a. A substantial readjustment of priorities with existing
facilities, which would be at the expense of the intelligence
activities directed at determining Soviet capabilities andin-
tentions in the fields of Atomic Energy, Air Defense, Submarine
Warfare, Order of Battle, etc; or
b. The establishment of additional monitoring facilities
directed specifically at the VOL problem,
Recommendations,
1. All available information pertinent to the VOL problem should
be furnished promptly to State by all IAC agencies and that OSI/CIA be
designated as the collection point for such information. OSI/CIA with
the assistance of the Office of the Special Assistant, Intelligence,
Department of State, should be charged to determine and establish such
security arrangements and channels of dissemination as may be required
to pass this information to the International Broadcasting Division,
Department of State; these arrangements and channels to be determined
in the light of materials made available,
2. A readjustment of priorities among existing intelligence tasks
or a reallocation of the use of existing intelligence facilities should
not be undertaken.
3. That the IAC recommend consideration by NSC of the establishment
of an additional monitoring facility, provided that such consideration is
undertaken in the light of the limited amount of technical intelligence
for VOA which could be obtained (see Conclusions 4 and 5 above) and the
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probable utility of such a facility in any future intensification of the
telecommunications war; and further provided that:
a. Such new facilities do not interfere with existing monitoring
programs, particularly from the standpoint of equipment and personnel.
Such new facilities are thoroughly coordinated with existing
monitoring activities.
Such facilities should be organized and, equipped to locate the sources
and determine the characteristics of radio signals emanating from within
the Soviet Union and satellite states throughout the frequency bands
normally used for communications,,
4. That the Ad Hoc Committee be dissolved upon acceptance of this
report.
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REPORT OF THE IAO AD HOC COMMITTEE
ON SOVIET JAMMING OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA
2 June 1950
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REPORT OF THE IAC AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SOVIET
JAMMING OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA
Statement of Problem. The problem, and'-the stated purpose of the
IAC Ad Hoc Committee on VOL Jamming, is to determine the intelligence
effort which should be undertaken to assure that the Department of State
is provided all possible and reasonable support in the development of
technical intelligence wherewith to penetrate Soviet Jamming of the
Voice of America. To determine this intelligence effort, the operational
and the research and development aspects of the problem must both be
considered.
Background of Problem. Organized Jamming of the VOA by the Soviets
commenced in February 1948 and steadily increased in intensity until it
reached substantially the present level in April 1949. As the result Of
a meeting of the Interdepartmental.Consultative Group on 6 July 1949, the
CIA was asked and agreed to accept responsibility for providing the co-
.ordinated intelligence support needed by State in order to determine
future measures in connection with Soviet Jamming. In addition, the
support of the Department of Defense and the FCO was solicited by.the
State Department and was,4greed to. A CIA report 0 1-1-50 published
20 January 1950 and entitled "Historical Developments in the Jamming of
the VOL by the USSR" sets forth all the intelligence on the subject known
to CIA at that time,
On 31 March 1950, the IAC met, at the request of the Special Assistant,
Intelligence Department of State, to consider his memorandum, dated 24 March
on the subject of Soviet Jamming of VOA. At this meeting, the IAC
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established an Ad Hoc Committee to examine the problem of intelligence
support for the VOL on the basis of recommendations set forth in that
memorandum.
Deliberations of Ad Hoc Committee. Although the problem referred to the
Ad Hoc Committee by the IAC was stated primarily in terms of intelligence
requirements and capacities, it was realized that review of technical and
other aspects of the problem was prerequisite to consideration of the
intelligence aspects. Consequently, representatives selected by the Depart-
ments for membership on the Ad Hoc Committee included those qualified in the
fields of intelligence0 communications0 and electronic countermeasures. The
CIA membership included all the activities concerned with intelligence
collection and production in this field.
Three meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee were held during which the
Committee considered the following aspects of the problem.
1. Technical feasibility of devising methods to overcome Soviet
jamming.
2. Operational usefulness to VOL of technical intelligence.
3. The need to pass available pertinent information promptly to
VOL on a continuing basis. This included a discussion of
special conditions to be attached to the use of such information,
particularly with regard to; a. security of sources0 and
b. channels of dissemination.
4, Detailed consideration of each item of information needed as
set forth in Tab B. Appendix I hereto, with regard to how such
intelligence might be obtained through the use of monitoring
facilities, covert operations or other means now available among
the intelligence agencies.
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5.
Allocation and use of existing monitoring facilities.
6. Exploitation of existing non-monitoring sources.
7.
Extent and usefulness of additional monitoring effort.
A detailed account of these deliberations is contained in the minutes
of the meetings of this Ad Hoc Committee.
Conclusions.
1. Existing scientific knowledge and techniques do.not offer
a solution which will enable the VOA to overcome the Soviet jamming.
2. The effectiveness of the efforts of the VOA to penetrate
this Jamming can be increased by knowledgeable manipulation of the
transmitting facilities, increased number of stations, increased
radiated power, etc. If the Soviets counter all such efforts, as
now appears to be their intention, the effectiveness of penetration,
though increased, would be temporary and limited in scope.
3. Technical intelligence on Soviet jamming would assist in policy
considerations to determine the effort and facilities which should be
allocated to the VOA and would be essential to effective operational
manipulation. Currently available intelligence is not sufficient for
these purposes.
4. The total information requirements as set forth by the VOA in
Tab B of Appendix 1 are beyond the combined capabilities of all existing
intelligence facilities of the FCO, CIA, and the Department of Defense.
A small percentage of the VOL requirements could be met by these com-
bined facilities, but only if they dropped most of their present priority
commitments.
5. Answers to most of the intelligence requirements of the VOA as
listed in Tab B of Appendix 1 hereto can be obtained only by covert means.
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.... -
...~.._. - ....e..
there would be established, an Ad Hoc Committee to consider
required to carry cat the program envisaged by the
he determination of estimates of person, aei-
the Ad Hoc Co ittee will consist of the fo l.owing*
Captain J. R. Dennis, 'USN, AFSA - Chairman
Robert Packard., State Department
Technical Representative of VOL - State Department
Albert Ste.,, Arn r
Captain L. S. Howeth, USN, Navy
Lt. Colonel J. L. Weeks, Air
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with the VOA representatives the problem of prow ,dire assistance to VOL
CIA.
he mlUtary services would proceed on an Inter basis with
o detect pine what assistance to the VOL coulsi be rendered with
.sties and personnel.
.,fir 1950
2cc Chief, A/C
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