IMAGERY ANALYSIS SUPPORT TO NPIC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00316R000100260006-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: May 25, 1977
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Rejase 2004/03/11 : CI I pFf 4T00316RQ90100260006-4
OIA-51/77
25 May 1977
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of Imagery Analysis
MEMORANDUM FOR: Associate Deputy Director of Intelligence
SUBJECT . Imagery Analysis Support to NPIC
25X1
1. Noel spoke with you last week about our concern over sending
OIA analysts to NPIC to help them during their perceived peak workloads. 25X1
It now appears that recent changes 25X1
eliminated the possibility of such _Ihave
the
question may very well resurface at some u ure date. Consequently, we'
have evaluated the need for the periodic augmentation of NPIC and the
impact of such an action on both OIA and the DDI.
2. We have concluded that--under foreseeable circumstances--there
is no need to augment NPIC imagery analysis resources with OIA resources.
John Hicks probably would not agree with this judgement hut Noel's
belief is that John is being driven more by his desire to graphically
demonstrate his perceived need for
re most rational solution to temporary
workload peaks. As you are well aware, NPIC has taken every opportunity
to call attention to their perceived manpower shortage since DIA denied
them these positions in 1974.
3. There are three reasons why we question NPIC's need.
--NPIC's manpower requirements for 1977 were calculated in 1974,
and were based on projected imagery inputs
25X1
Actual imagery inputs for 1977 arel
25X1
th
d
ose projecte
.
25X1
--Our analysts and supervisors have occasionally heard from their
counterparts in NPIC that there are often periods when the NPIC
workload is light. These NPIC personnel believe they can handle
workload peaks. I am in no position to judge the validity of
these remarks, but find them difficult to ignore.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/03/11 : CIA-RDP84T00316R0001002600
 Approved For Rejoase 2004/03/11 : C$1 84T00316RQ,0190260006-4
OIA-51/77
SUBJECT: Imagery Analysis Support to NPIC
4. If in fact NPIC does find itself in difficulty due to an
increasing workload, I believe there are several steps that could be
taken to alleviate the problem.
--Some targets lare readout twice by 25X1
different groups o imagery ana sts 5X1
comparison
ot the NPIC cables shows little difference in the content of
information on the same target. I question the need for any
target to be readout three times by imagery analysts in the
same organization. Certainly there is room here for some
economy of effort.
--NPIC occasionally solicits departmental work from organizations.
I can sympathize with their desire to get involved with more
interesting and challenging types of analysis, but can they
really afford to do so if they are having difficulty meeting
their National commitments?
5. If OIA were required to periodically augment NPIC with imagery
analysts, I believe it would adversely impact on both OIA and the DDI.
OIA is, as I believe you are aware, currently behind in meeting many
reporting due dates. We are presently reviewing our production program
and procedures (that is, periodic reporting and assimilation) in the
hope of increasing not only the efficiency of our operation, but also of
increasing the value of our product. Any loss of experienced personnel
to NPIC for even short periods of time would seriously affect such an
effort. Second, morale in OIA was not at its highest point prior to
Noel's arrival, but I believe progress has been made in improving this
situation over the last several months. A decision to send OIA analysts
to NPIC on loan would seriously erode morale. Our analysts simply do
not believe that NPIC has a legitimate need for periodic augmentation,
and given the workload pressures placed on them and their assessment of
the value of their contribution to the overall DDI production program,
would view such an action with much disfavor.
25X1
Deputy Director
Imagery Analysis
Approved For Release 2004/03/11 : CIA-RDP84T00316R000100260006-4