SECURITY PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING BLACK SHIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A001900060026-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2012
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: December 10, 1999
• Content Type: MF

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP79B01709A001900060026-8
NPIC/os-96/67
13 June 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: See Distribution
SUBJECT Security Procedures for Handling BLACK SHIELD
Photography
1. A new reconnaissance collection program has been initiated in
Southeast Asia known as BLACK SHIELD to cover North Vietnam (DRV). The
security procedures for handling, titling and classification of the
resulting end products will be as follows:
a. The film resulting from BLACK SHIELD operations over the
DRV, and reports of information derived from that film will be classified
SECRET and identified with the acro ~Ng"BX"../ Coverage resulting from
actual overflight of Burma, Thailana$d Cambodia will be classified
SECRET,
b. Cable dissemination of BLACK SHIELD information on the DRV
will be identical to that for TROJAN HORSE Missions. Reports, briefing
boards, viewgraphs and briefing board notes will be accorded normal
SECRET dissemination as used for other Southeast Asia missions over North
Vietnam.
c. Cable dissemination of information on Thailand, Burma, and
Cambodia will also be classified SECRET. Reports, briefing boards, view-
graphs and briefing board notes likewise will be classified SECRET.
d. If evidence of offensive missiles or related equipment is
detected in BLACK SHIELD photography the information will be reported
immediately by electrical means. Such messages will be marked "This is
a messa e" and classified uECREI LIMITED DISSEMINATION. Reports
marked will be transmitted to the following addressees only:
CIA (For DCI , DIA (DIRECTOR); STATE (INR); NSA (DIRECTOR); JCS (CHAIR-
MAN); WHITE HOUSE (SITUATION ROOM); ACSI, ARMY; ACNO (I) NAVY; ACSI AF;
AC Of S, G-2 MARINE CORPS; CINCSAC; CINCPAC; COMUSMACV; CINCPACFIJI';
CINCPACAF; CINCUSARPAC; and NPIC. The decision on timing of public re-
leases of any information revealing the presence of offensive missiles
is reserved for higher authority. In addition, internal dissemination
must be limited on a strict-need-to-know basis.
First two missions identified with "BSX".
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP79B01709A001900060026-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP79BO1709AO01900060026-8
NPIC/OS-96/67
SUBJECT: Security Procedures for Handling BLACK SHIELD Photography
e. Camera manuals are available at the SECRET level. The
frame ephemeris will also be classified SECRET. A copy produced by
the computer will be bound, controlled and disseminated to the recip-
ients of the film/ marked with the following; statement on the cover:
"The use of this publication is limited to personnel who
require the information for photo interpretation and mensuration
purposes. Dissemination should be made only on a strict MUST-
KNOW basis for such purposes to U. S. personnel who possess a
minimum of SECRET security clearance."
2. Access to SECRET BLACK SHIELD film products will not be denied
to integrated foreign personnel but should not be passed to them unless
it is essential. -Amweemodge BLACK SHIELD photography and products will
not be released to any foreign government unless authorized by the USIB.
3. Should there be any questions pertaining to the proper handling
of these materials please contact me
Assistant for Operations, NPIC
Distribution:
Orig - NPIC/OS
1 - NPIC/O/DIR
-1 - NPIC/SS
1 - NPIC/A/P&M
1 - NPIC/A/PA
1 - NPIC/A/TD
1 - NPIC/CSD
1 - NPIC/IPD
1 - NPIC/PD
1 - NPIC/PSD
1 - NPIC/TID
1 - CIA/]AS
1 . DIAXX-4
1 - SpAD
1 - LO/NSA
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP79BO1709AO01900060026-8