(UNCLASSIFIED) WAR GAMING PROJECT CONTROL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000800120029-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2004
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: July 7, 1954
• Content Type: MF

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORGE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGP G_Y-'
SUBJECT: (Unclassified) War Gaming Project Contro4-,~,'J7 ins 8i
JUL.._1954--..
`E5, fir{
1. Some fourteen months ago, Headquarters USAF directed the Air
University to develop a concept and outline plans for operations to
control Russia to the end that Soviet behavior would accord with the
policies of the United States. This project has been known as "Project
Control." Asrthe project developed, personnel from CIA assisted by
actually participating at Maxwell.Air Force Base as well as furnishing
information to officers of the project here in Washington. This was
particularly true in the examination of German underground affairs in
World War II. Mr. Allen Dulles provided lengthy interviews with the
officers concerned and nrovidA documents of great value to the project.
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development o the project- In late May of this year the project was
discussed at some length with Mr. Richard M. Bissell, Jr., Special
Assistant to the Director, CIA, when he visited Maxwell Air Force Base.
The initial directive to the Air University has been complied with, and
"Project Control" is now under study in the Air Staff. The concept de-
veloped essentially requires the integration of the various elements of
U.S. national power into a dynamic policy for the achievement of U.S.
objectives. Accordingly, the project is now entitled "Control Through
Integrated Military and Political Action."
2. The operations suggested in the completed project specify cold
war actions of immediate significance to the conflict with Russia. The
operations suggested are designed further so that the United States seizes
and maintains the initiative in the cold war. The favorable implications
of the U.S. possession of the initiative in the event of a general war are
also developed.
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3. The potential benefit of these operations to U.S. national security
has prompted Headquarters USAF to direct the Air University to analyze alter-
natives and to more fully develop the operations. involved through a maneuver
test of the project. Eventually this war gaming-will be extended through the
three phases of persuasion (cold war and peripheral war actions), pressure
(limited and general war actions), and administration (postwar operations).
The present directive to the Air University requires war gaming of the pro-
ject through the persuasion phase in the next four months' period. The
war gaming project is being conducted within the resources available to the
Air University, with limited assistance from other agencies and Air Force
commands.
4. Some of the aspects of this war gaming will deal directly with
matters within the special competency of CIA. The validity of the exercise
will, therefore largely depend upon having the best possible information,
advice, judgment, and participation from CIA.
USAF review(s)
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5. The assistance that CIA has already informally provided this
project has been of very great value. It is believed that CIA participation
and assistance in war gaming and further developing the operational schemes
of this project would provide realism and substance to some of the opera-
tions and greatly enhance their potential utility to national security.
6. Further information and/or briefings on the concept and operations
of the project are available at your convenience. The intent, at present,
is for the Air University to embark at once upon the initial four months'
task of testing the persuasion phase.
7. It is requested that the Central Intelligence Agency assist in
war gaming Project Control to the extent possible. It is proposed to
authorize the Air University direct communication with the Central Intelli-
gence Agency for this purpose. If you concur, and in order that CIA assist-
ance may be initiated as soon as possible, it is requested that you design-
ate a senior representative for 120 days detached service with the Air
University, Maxwell Air Force Base, IMTontgomery, Alabama.
8. This confirms the informal request made by Col R. S. Sleeper,
USAF, to M:b7. Bissell and yourself on 2 July 1954.
t?ICCHARD C. LINDSAY
Rajor General, USAF
Director of Plaas, DCS/O
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ATTIMON,
D'ART T OF M AIR FORCE
s4or General Richard C. Linde - (US M)
Director of Pa s, 3 /O
WREN
1.
pportt
vhieh i to take pi
The p
to act a its representa
soon a o the selection has been made.
T July ]954
t Control and
in the war gaming of this P"Ject
near future at the Air ftivereltyo
t or tuo qualified CIA ? fficers
tld be direct contact between
;emir project. Contact
the office of the
. Richard N. Wieser:,, Jr.
SA/DCI/PC hh
16 July 1954
Distribution: Orig & 1 - Addressee
2 - SA/DCI/PCB
1 - Exec. Reg.
1 - PCS
orm the Air Force an
'DATE
A__a
1 - yellow
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MCitoRArt.
:ice EC`T
REFER
Par
1954
r general Richard C. Lindsay/ (USAF)
ctor of Plans, S/D
Gaming
I tau) Your memo to OCT, dated 7 July 191
W DCI memo to you, dated 16 July 19#0
In reference (a) the Air Fares requested CIA to
participate to Project Control, and in reference (W.
I #toted that CIA would be willing to participate and
OR ear officer OR temporary duty to the Air
University during certain phases of the operation. I
would like at this time to Hama
as the CIA representative.
2. I I-will be assigned to the Air University
from time to time wring the duration of the operation on
a temporary duty basis without reimbursement by the Air
force. It is understood that be will act both as an
observer of the operation as a whole and as an active
participant in certain phases of it, particularly the
serial reconnaissance phase. CIA will also try to
provide for short periods of time specialists in partic
areas or functions when requested to assist the exercise.
The request for such individuals should be worked out with
and submitted orally through his.
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3. 1 extension on code I L and ILLEGIB
it is rerq e- a jour project officer contact him
direct if you cancer is the above arrangements.
SA/DCI/PC: JFN: hh (7/28/54) CONCURRENCE:
(rewritten 7/29/54) x. is, RMS. Jr.
? hh 17/2x/54)
Retyped: O/DCI/JSE: j ck (31 July) ALLl W. DULLS
Distribution: Director
original & 1 - Addressee 2 --SA/DCI/PC
;L- Signer y,,,,..- 1 - A" i-n .-F 4 1 'tom .
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NANIAM s s :#'..: TMaT OF 41lt
ATIhMVION
r ?ana. ,ctzr
.strector of Plans,
r trticipation in w l awing acct Lo
(a) Your as toi, dated 7
(b) XI memo to yaou, dated 16 July 1954
1. In r=ce (A) ",the A-
pate in.rcrject nt 1, and in rte'&renco(b
would be wi in to Sarticipa . aar::d would aaa ^n an
teepoxwxy duty to the Air Uni' rs3 A during certain :ahase9 of t
ov*ration. I would like at this 11re to ns
the CIA rppr ?tative.
nivit
time to e ftrUV the chsrati n of tote ope tion on a t ,rax7
duty b4mis without rci u t nt by the,,Air .dree. It is Per
at d. that he ll act both as an observe of the operation. as a
the aerial r 'hnaislizN.wa pie. CIA will also try to
s an active participant in certain ohs o1 it, par-
for short periods of time specia fats
when requeat d to ist the me.
should be work- out with.
=h him.
w:tension on I
entu.
17
SA DCI PC;J :hh(7/28/5;4Y?
rewritten 7/29/51.)
SA1DUI1-PU:IM:hh (7/29/54)
Distr. :~~l - addressee
- DCI files
2 - SA/DCI/FC
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29 July 1954
SUBJECT: Participation in War Gaming Project Control
1. Attached is a memorandum for your signature naming
of OCI as the CIA representative at the
war-gaming of Project Control which is to take place in the
near future at the Air University. This is the project which
Colonel Sleeper recently briefed you on at the Pentagon.
2. .It is my understanding that is to devote
a considerable amount of time to the war-gaming operation. He
will be assigned on temporary duty without reimbursement by the
Air Force. When the Air Force officers directing the opera-
tion and feel it necessary, will request
CIA to send for short periods of time additional Agency offi-
cers who could provide either intelligence on specific areas
or guidance regarding the capabilities and limitations of
clandestine operations.
3. I believe that and other Agency personnel
who go to Maxwell Field during this operation should act in
general as observers and consultants. However, they should
actively participate in certain aspects of the war-gaming,
Particularly the aerial reconnaissance phase. In this regard,
I land any others who may be involved should make it
clear tlaat their participation does not in any way indicate
that the Agency supports or does not support any conclusions
or recommendations which may be forthcoming from the war-gaming
operation or from Project Control itself.
Both Mr. Amory and
Mr. Sheldon have
Richard M. Bissell, Jr.
Special Assistant to the Director
for Policy and Coordination
nag'Uh"iINT KO,
ij tr: OLafs, C7
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