GRILL FLAME EVALUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00788R001000340002-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 15, 2004
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 11, 1981
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/SUC RDP96-00788R001000340002-3
THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
11 February 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER USA INSCOM
Through: USA/ACSI
Subject: Grill Flame Evaluation (U)
IRA At
1. (SNFD) During the period 23 November 1979 through 13 January
1981, USAINSCOM/ADCSOPS-HUMINT/Special Action Office provided
202 Grill Flame Reports to OJCS/J3/SOD in support of the Iranian
Hostage situation. Of this total 118 reports were provided prior
to 24 April 1980 and 84 subsequent to that date.
2. (SNFD) Source targeting was divided between personalities and
physical locations as follows:
Phase I
- Personalities
68
Locations
50
Phase II - Personalities
52
Locations
32
3. (SNFD) Comparison of these reports with returnee debriefings
revealed a very low correlation between actual hostage locations/
conditions and inferences drawn from Grill Reporting. Only
seven reports could be positively correlated with actual location
or condition. Approximately 59 reports revealed a possible or
partial correlation. However, these same reports often included
erroneous data. Sixteen reports contained inconclusive data
making correlation highly subjective. Eight reports were noted
as being poor from an administrative/procedural standpoint and
therefore being of no value. One hundred and twelve reports were
found to be entirely incorrect.
ARMY and JCS review(s) completed.
CLASSIFIED BY: Chief, SOD
DATE FOR ( ) DECLASSIFICATI
OR (X) REVIEW
IS: 11 Feb 2001
EXTENDED BY:, Chief, SOD
REASON: 5200.1R, Para 2-30lc5&6
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4. (SNFD) Although the above comparison would appear to degrade
the value of the Grill Flame program, several factors must be
considered before drawing any final judgements. Some of these
factors are:
a. Contamination of Grill Flame reporters could not be
avoided because of the extensive media and intelligence
treatment accorded the incident.
b. Effective employment of Grill Flame concepts may be, at
least partially, dependent upon the cooperation of the HUMAN
subject and reliable recognition features of the physical/
structural targets.
c. The lack of reliable and objective analysis techniques is
also a major limiting factor in evaluating Grill Flame Reporting.
As an example, midway through the reporting period this office
requested the Project Manager to conduct several sessions on a
special subject. Two sessions were run on a controlled basis,
i.e., the actual location and activities of subject were known
to this office but not to the Project Manager. Evaluation of
the reports and follow-on questioning of the subject revealed
that reports could not be accurately interpreted until the
actual physical and mental activities of the subject were known.
Once these became known, a greater degree of correlation occurred.
5. (SNFD) In summary Grill Flame Reporting, as evidenced by the
above results, is not yet proven to be reliable enough to use in
a tactical/operational environment. The Grill Flame concept may
hold future potential if positive controls and effective analytical
techniques are developed. Recommend any future Grill Flame efforts
be conducted under extremely controlled conditions and care be taken
by evaluators and customers to avoid becoming enamoured of the source.
R. J .ENAHAN
LTCOL, USAF
Approved For Release 2004/0
1DP96-00788R001 000340002-3