LETTER TO THE HONORABLE DAVID PACKARD FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00803R000200030004-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2004
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 12, 1969
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000200030004-6
TOP SECRET
The Honorable David Packard
Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C.
I received your letter of 9 December concerning your
desire to prepare a plan for consolidating the U-2 aircraft
in the Strategic Air Command. As I think we agreed at the
last EXCOM meeting, the question whether to continue a
CIA U-2 fleet or to consolidate in SAC is an issue which
needs an early decision. Should that decision be to con-
solidate, we will plan to work closely with John McLucas
on a consolidation program.
As I understood our discussion at EXCOM, we agreed
that this question involved political issues of national
interest and was, therefore, appropriate for 303 Committee
review from a policy standpoint. Pursuant to that, we are
preparing the necessary papers to raise this matter before
the Committee at an early date.
I am sure you agree that the question of whether to
continue the CIA fleet (i.e. to maintain the reconnaissance
flexibility inherent in it) is a subject for policy deci-
sion of the White House.
Sincerely,
(Signed)
Richard Helms
Director
25X1
cc: Dr. McLucas 25X1
25X1
(Drafted Steininger 11/D1 %69
(Rewritten RH, 12 Dec 69
Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP85B00803R00020003UQ0T-6
 25X1 Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000200030004-6
Approved For Release 2004/06/29 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000200030004-6