MINE CLEARING IN NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: March 2, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
TOP SEcR "' SiSITWE
March 2, 1973
MEMORADUM FOR
SUBJECT:
REAR ADMIRAL DANIEL MURPHY
MILITARY ASSISTANT TO THE
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Mine Clearing is North Vietnam
Per your request, ached is the aper*ive part of the message
erc mine ctearinvr.
Bre Seoweraft
Rrt . Oemeral, 'U.S. Air Force
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
? SXCRXT.LSEN? TIVE
Retype
JH/drc 3-2-73
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
? '" `v - ` W
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
1. With respect to increasing mine clearing forces, the US
side within the past week has developed the capability for simultaneous
clearance operations in Haiphong, Cam Pha and Hon Gai. This has been
accomplished by adding two airborne mine counter measures units which
include 12 sweeping helicopters, doubling the number of precision
navigation transmitters (RAYDIST antennae), and increasing the number
of magnetic sweep hydrofoil sea sleds by 4, bringing the total to 12.
In addition, the number of MSOs involved in the area is being
brought rapidly to 10. Three MSOs from California will arrive off
Haiphong about March 7, and the two Pearl Harbor reserve MSOs will
arrive in late March, along with the only remaining MSO in the Pacific
which is now undergoing repairs in Guam.
As the DRV side is aware, through special training and conversion
efforts the number of helicopters capable of being used for airborne mine
clearing has been increased from 13 to 43, and the number of support
ships has been raised from two to five. It had been originally estimated
that operations in areas other than Haiphong could not commence sooner
than two to'three weeks after the Haiphong operations. This projected
date has nowbeen compressed. It also now appears possible that the
mine clearing operation will be completed slightly sooner than the 180 day
e stimate.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
2. With regard to plans and forces for inland waterways, the
US plan was submitted on February 10, 1973. The US side is ready to
establish a training school in the Haiphong area. Demonstration sweeps
will be conducted of one or two inland waterways near Haiphong.
Sufficient US advisers and equipment will be provided to support DRV
units involved in this effort.
3. With respect to the request for means for drawing the
"magnetic pipes" and mine surveying and removal and for the removal
or destruction of MARK-82 delayed action bombs, the US will:
Provide sufficient pipes and other sweeping equipment
as it is developed and procured to supply the DRV units.
-- Use helicopters to pull magnetic pipes where accessible to
the sea. The use of helicopters for this purpose, however, will
be at the expense of coastal and port clearances. Some rivers
will be swept from the river mouths to as far up the rivers as
.,.; obstacle free.
--,Provide US trucks and bulldozers to assist in the inland
waterway operation. The officer in charge of US mine clearing
will give details to the DRV counterparts concerning quantities
and delivery times.
.... Develop specially designed powered boats on an urgent
basis. If these prove satisfactory they will also be provided for
use in mineclearing efforts in inland waterways.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
- Provide adequate detection equipment if it can be developed
in time. US laboratories are working urgently on development of
a suitable magnetic detection system.
-- Attempt to develop new magnetic sweeping equipment,
such as self-propelled magnetic acoustic barrels.
-- Assign ordnance disposal personnel who will give on the
spot instruction and advice on destroying or rendering safe dud
ordnance wherever inland waterways clearance is done with US
advisers." Over 30 explosive ordnance disposal personnel are
involved in the mine clearing effort. One officer and 3 enlisted
men will be included in the first training group for the school
for the DRV in Haiphong. US ordnance disposal advisers will
provide instruction on the scene on a case by case basis for
disposal of any dud MARK 36 destructors after the area has
been swept, Procedures for rendering these destructors safe
have already been provided to the DRV side. Should a MARK 82
delayed action bomb be discovered in sweeping inland waterways,
it will be disposed of as a dud with the assistance of US advisers
on a case by case basis.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/07/13: LOC-HAK-452-6-8-5