LETTER TO LEW ALLEN, JR. FROM B. R. INMAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00170R000100040019-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: January 8, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/29: CIA-RDP90B00170R000100040019-0
The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Mbshtn o4O.c20505
General Lew Allen, Jr.
Chief of Staff
United States Air Force
Room 4E925, Pentagon
Washington, D.C.
Twenty-seven years ago this month CIA, in conjunction
with the United States Air Force, embarked on the U-2 Program,
an effort that over the intervening years has made many
positive contributions to our respective knowledge of
strategic reconnaissance.
We believe that the time has come to share the early
versions of this remarkable aircraft with the American people.
One of these early aircraft, the seventh one built and the
first to overfly denied territory, has been in dead storage
some three years now. The National Air and Space Museum of
the Smithsonian has informally expressed a keen interest in
obtaining and displaying this historic aircraft if it can be
donated to them. Kelly Johnson of Lockheed has indicated that
his company will underwrite the refurbishment of the airplane
and will arrange to deliver it to Andrews Air Force Base
under its own power.
In addition to the aircraft, we would propose donating
one of the early "B" cameras and the first version of the
tracker camera, both of which we understand are in storage
at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia. No other
sensors would be displayed. At the time the aircraft arrived
.at Andrews we could arrange a public turnover ceremony with
the Museum principals acknowledging the roles of CIA and
Air Force in this historic program. No disclosures would be
made that would in any way conflict with current Air Force
utilization of later model U-2s, nor would comparisons be
made with the TR-1.
If you find this idea attractive, perhaps you would
designate someone with whom my designee could work to
coordinate this proposal in our respective best interests.
Distribution: B. R. Inman
Orig - Addressee Admiral, U.S. Navy
1 - DDCI
1 - Executive Registry
1 - SA/OPS/DDS$T
2 - DDS&T Reoiatrv
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/29: CIA-RDP90BOO170R000100040019-0