COMMITTEE ON OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE (W/ATTACHMENTS)
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
0001041095
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
18
Document Creation Date:
June 24, 2015
Document Release Date:
July 26, 2011
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
F-2004-00648
Publication Date:
July 8, 1966
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
DOC_0001041095.pdf | 559.15 KB |
Body:
The following is an index of the minutes of t4e 8 JUly COMOR
meeting:
Paragraph
1-4
Paragraph
5-7
Paragraph
8
Paragraph
9
Paragraph
10
Paragraph
11-12
Paragraph
13
Paragraph
14- 15
Paragraph
16-17
Paragraph
18
Paragraph
19
Paragraph
20
Paragraph
21
Paragraph
22
(b)(1)
A
(b)(3)
ssessment of Special GMAIC Mission, 1033
J
(b)(6)
Report on In-Flight Processing
Report from NPIC - Mission Highlights
Approval of Minutes
Approval of
Requirement
(COMOR-D- 9 32, paragraphs 48-52)
Need for Revision of SIGINT Satellite Reconnaissance
(COMOR-D-69/32)
Community Need, for Color Photography from
Report from Photo Working Group
APPROVED FOR
RELEASEL DATE:
06-Jul-2011
Operational Briefing Satellite
Operational Briefing Aircraft
Operational Briefing Drone
Decontrol of TALENT Photography of the
Middle East
(COMOR -D-22 / 81)
Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy Requirements
Mapping & Charting Amendment to Requirements
for KH-9 Photographic Reconnaissance System
(COMOR-D-13/63)
IDEALIST
CORONA/
opy o 3
-TbpifE~
CORONA
IDEA LIS T
COMMITTEE ON OVERHE
AD RECONNA
ISSA
NCE
COMOR-M-
8 July 196
372 (Continued)
6.
Paragraph
23
Need to Review
D
ase on Chin
a
Paragraph
24 Discussion of Ac
tions Needed. in Co
njunct
ion with
Paragraph
Long Range Pap
25 DIA Comments o
North Vietnam C
er
n Status of South C
overage
hina/
IDEALIST
CORONA/
ET
CORONA/
IDEALIST
)
Minutes of Meeting
COMOR-M-372
Central Intelligence Agency, Langley
1000-1315, 8 July 1966
William A. Tidwell
Chairman
MEMBERS PRESENT
Col. D. H. Ainsworth, DIA Capt. B. L. Garbow, ONI
Deputy .Chairman Lt. Col. R. L. De Rose, AFNIN
Mr. L. A. Moyer, Jr., State Mr_ T. E T.ihhPrt NSA
Capt. P. H. Faircloth, DIA
Mr. J. C. St. Cyr, OACSI
CONSULTANTS PRESENT
Lt. Col. J. T. Connelly, NSA
Capt. NRO*
Col. H. Howard, NRO
Lt. Col. W. C. Barger. NP IC
Mr. C. E. Duckett, CIA*
Mr. A. J. Steele, CIA*'
Mr. H. Channing, Executive Secretary
Mr. E. E. Donelson, O/Chairman, COMDR
Mr. H. E. Rhoads, Chairman, Photo Working Group
Lt. Col. T. J. Shepherd, Chairman, SIGINT, Working Group*
*Present for part of the meeting.
Assessment of Special GMAIC Mission, 1033J
1. Mr. Duckett introduced discussion of the special GMAIC
mission by noting some of the drawbacks. He commented that the
IDEALIST
CORONA/
CORONA
IDEALIST
quality of the photography proved to be marginal for GMAIC purposes.
While it. was possible to assess activity, as shown later, such
important information. as the classes of vehicles at a site could not be
determined. Mr. Duckett added that although GMAIC thought that it
had done extensive advance planning to.assist NPIC inits readout, it
.was -found .in retrospect that the planning had not,.been. adequate and a
much.severer task had been. imposed on NPIC than had originally been
envisaged. The Chairman, GMAIC concluded his. introductory remarks
by commenting that the various working groups of GMAIC are now
embarked on. an. exploitation in depth. To complete this job to the
satisfaction of GMAIC will probably take approximately three months.
This. time could be shortened.if it were necessary to complete the
assessment on a forced draft basis.
Mr. Duckett next referred to the plus side and reported
that the potential of such. a mission, when. properly planned and
assessed, is tremendous. As. illustrated; below, higher resolution
.would generally enhance the .results. Pertinent comments- are:
a. Missions of this nature have a potential
to.identify every launch facility at a test site and if
flown:. with a higher resolution camera should permit
the analyst to associate each facility with specific
missiles.
b. Repetitive cover
IDEALIS
CORONA
3. The Chairman, GMAIC showed some examples of the
photography obtained by .1033) and explained highlights as follows:
(1) We may have precise identification
of the pad used for COSMOS launches.
CORONA
CORONA
C.(17~~rnu
4. In reply to a question from the Chairman, COMOR,
Mr. Duckett speculated that GMAIC may wish to have another similar
mission using the KH-7. He added that he will need at least a month
and much more study of 1033) before reaching a ~1Pri G;nn
In reply to a question from
Mr. Duckett confirmed that 1033) has been extremely expensive i terms
of PI time. While experience may improve techniques on later missions,
he does not hold out any great hope for drastic improvements.. in this
regard.
Report on Infli ht Processing
r
pursuant to ta in ig t processing question and demonstrated a number
of studied alternatives. The alternative methods of handling and the
hours required for processed and preliminarily analyzed film to reach
Washingtom.from Hawaii ranged from:
A present example showing 80 hours consumed;
IDEALIST
,
CORONA
CORONA
COMOR-M-.372
A streamlined version of the present procedure
showing a reduction to 40 hours;
The situation presently envisaged with. inflight
processing and PI facilities onboard consuming.12 hours.
then described various methods used in the systems
analysis as well as standards to which would have to .adhere. An
important standard from the standpoint of COMOR is that there will
be absolutely no compromise of film quality and actually in some
.respects there will be improvements.
6. I noted that the system studies. and the con-
struction of all critical operational breadboard exercises are due to be
completed by March 1967. The specific recommendation as to use
should be made by July 1967. Studies conducted so far point toward:
a. Assurance of total. feasibility that an airborne
processing and exploitation center, permanently installed
in a C135B or C141 aircraft, can provide a. fully processed,
collated, and a partially analysed original negative- and duplicate
positive in Washington at the end of the nine-hour non-stop
-flight from Hawaii.
b. A capability from commencement of flash,
reporting -- th s after takeoff from recovery
C. A resultant goal for a QRC processing capability
anywhere in the world.
7. In reply to some questions from the Chairman,
emphasized that the work being done is providing quite significant fringe
benefits.. Viscous processing is among these, and this along with other
improvements will directly result in some streamlining and product
improvement ove~ present procedures. Mr. Tidwell then thanked
for his briefing, while commenting that COMDR need study
the whole problem further and that such study must include other ideas
that NRO has toward solving the crisis management problems.
IDEALIST
CORONA)
TOP'S~CRE~
CORONA
IDEA LIST
Report from NPIC--Mission Highlights
COMO - -372
8. Colonel Barger briefed COMOR on recent photographic
highlights. He commented that an early evaluation of .1034J.indicated
that much of the photography was, below CORONA standard.
Approval of Minutes
9. COMOR-M-371 was approved with the following changes:
a. Page 9, paragraph 20, in line 8, change
"suggested that" to "reviewed.the, ". delete "be, " change
"to" at end of line to "of"; and.in line 9 at end of
sentence after "NPIC" add "initially. "
b. Page 9, paragraph 21, in line 4 after
"that" add "if there is" and after "information" add
"it. "
Approval o
~2equirement
.10. The Chairman, SIGINT Working Group submitted for
COMOR consideration an amendment to Part III, Section C: COMINT
requirements, paragraphs 48-52, COMOR-D-69/32. Colonel Shepherd
advised members that this represents. an amendment to the current
equirement. He noted that it achieves the following:
a. More clearly defines. the desired radio
frequency coverage by redwing that coverage from
b. Re-defines location accuracies which will
permit more efficient use of the information acquired.
COMOR approved the revised requirement Ithe revise
requirement.is being sent to holders of COMOR-D-69/32/.
CORONA
GT
TOP
CORONA
IDEALIST
Need for Revision of SIGINT Satellite Requirements
(COMOR.D=6'9/ 32)
C OMOR=M=32
Following a brief discussion. of.the proposed revision. to
the requirement-..as it now appears... in COMOR-D-69/32
(paragraph 10 above), Mr. Libbert observed. that a complete review of
69/32, would be a. lengthy job. He noted, however, that a redefinition
.of the EOB requirement (COMOR-D-6.9/50), is, due and should be made
on a priority basis and incorporated in COMOR=D-69/32. Mr. Libbert
..feels that Colonel Hall joins him in this sentiment. Colonel. Shepherd
observed that by now C OMOR-D-69/32 is a.wo.rn=out document which
needs. a complete review. Piecemeal corrections, and suggestions have
tended to confuse rather than edify the collector. Colonel Howard en-
dorsed. Colonel Shepherd's sentiments and stated that NRO would welcome
a new SIGINT satellite requirements .paper,
12. After cautioning the SIGINT Working Group that recommen-
dations of the CETF could of themselves result .in considerable revision
and redefinition of COMOR-D..69/32, the Chairman acquiesced in.
suMestion that further discussion of the need for revision
ntil the COMOR meeting on 15 July.
Community Need for Color Photography from
13. The Chairman defined the problem before COMOR as. to
whether members wish the 12 color duplicate positives to be disseminated
automatically or whether .three should be delivered immediately to NPIC
and others would be ordered depending on the NPIC evaluation of -the take.
DIA elected not to wait for the evaluation .and requested simultaneous dis-
semination with. the black and.white film on the basis of one for DIA and
.one: for SAC. Colonel DeRose. then expressed his preference..for the same
procedure to be followed in transmittal of one to the -training school at
Offutt and one for FTD. /Mr. St. Cyr called.after the. meeting to say.,that
the Army would like..immediate dissemination of one color duplicate posi-
tive to SPAD and one to MID./
CORONA
CORONA
IDEALIS'
Report from Photo Working Group
72
14. Mr. Rhoads, reported PWG activities. as. follows:
a. (1) Cuba
The Cuba target .file was updated
based on six GOLDEN TREE missions flown
during June. As a result.of this. review, 4
targets were added and 6 targets were inactivated.
The file now contains. 172 targets.
(2) The highest priority.list for Cuba,
consisting of objectives that are maintained in
. the satellite reconnaissance file, was reviewed
and no changes. were made. The file contains. a
total of.23 targets.
(3) A table showing cumulative coverage
of Cuba obtained. by GOLDEN TREE missions is
attached as. Tab A.
b. South China/North Vietnam
(1) A draft.report of photographic
reconnaissance of South China/North.Vietnam
and the Sino-Indian border area during 28 June-
4 July 1966 was pre ed and approved for trans-
mittal to the Board .7
(2) The South China and North Vietnam
priorities list. .was reviewed. No changes were made
to the priorities list which contains 177 targets.
c. Update Camera Priorities forj
Adjustments were made in camera priorities or
ased on current intelligence. Inasmuch
as e. last por ion of this mission will utilize color
film, some additional adjustments in camera priorities
could be necessary if a change in expected mission
duration occurs.
CORONA/
IDEALIST
TOF-SK-REfi
15. In reply to a question from the Chairman, Mr. Rhoads
assured Mr. Tidwell that PWG and NRO had been working closely to
bring priorities upto date and coordinate the use of color film.
Operational Briefing-Satellite
16. Colonel Howard submitted a summary of SIGINT satellite
operations for. the period 27 June to 3 July (Tab B) and reported
satellite launches and scheduling as follows:
CORONA
10.34 Launched 21 June 66/2130Z. Standard CORONA (800, 10th
day sync), First bucket recovered 26 June 66/2350Z.
Second bucket recovered 1 July 66/2352Z.
1035 e R-9 July 66. Launch September.
1036 -R-9 .12 July. (THORAD) Launch. date -2 August.
ELINT
(Sub-satellite launched. from
l7. egoing schedule, Colonel Howard
explained tha had been droppe ecause
the package had not checked out satisfactorily.
IDEALIST
CORONA/
:IDEALIST
CORONA
decision need be made as. to whether.. flying. the
experiment. might be incompatible with flying
Operational Briefing-Aircraft
18. reported that. thel Lare still
.grounded. Estimates. of earliest operational availability .are. late July.
System XVII tests were completed on. 30 June.
Operational Briefing-Drone
.19. Captain Faircloth reported BLUE SPRING$ activities
.for _the period ..1-7 July as follows:
Date Mission No. Target/Area Remarks
1,July 66 5.155 (high) Haiphong, Hanoi, -Drone did not
Phuc Yen and SonTay; return;cause
undetermined
2 July 66 5155 (high) same as above CNX. WX
552Q (low) Hanoi/Phu lang. RR, Successful
Hanoi Area, and .MARS.Recvy.
Son Tay
3 July 66 None Scheduled Unfavorable WX
4 July 66 5520.(low) same as above CNX WX
5 July 6.6 None. Scheduled Unfawxable WX
6 July 66 5157 (high) Viet-T.ri POL, Successful
Hanoi/ Lao .Cai RR, . MARS: Recvy
Hanoi & Haiphong
Areas
7 July 66 None Scheduled
8 July 66 5158 (high)
Unfavorable WX
Hanoi Area & Hanoi Probably shot.
Lao Cai RR down
IDEALIST
CORONA
1DP-3fERfT__
CORONAL
IDEALIST
C()Mt1R -lur-372
Decontrol of TALENT Photography of the Middle East
.20. COMOR reviewed the SDWG proposal that certain . photog-
raphy;- of the Middle East obtained by U-2 overflight in the period
1.956 to 1960 be designated SANDBOX missions and decontrolled. The
SDWG proposal. wa approved and it was agreed. that it would be
forwarded M the llnit&rl States Intelligence Board for noting
Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy Requirements
21. COMOR reviewed the requirements as forwarded by the
mapping, Charting, and Geodesy Working .Group
Minor changes were reviewed and agreed. to by mem ers, and the
.Chairman reported.that he hoped. the paper could be scheduled for the
USIB meeting on 14 July so that it may be considered at the same time
.sent tote Board as COMOR-D_ 13165.
Mapping and Charting Amendment to Requirements for KH-9
Photographic Reconnaissance System'
(COMOR-D-13/63)
22. COMOR approved an amendment to paragraph Ig as
submitted by DIA and agreed. that it be forwarded to the USIB Secretariat.
Need to Review Data Base on China
(COMDR-D-25/204)
23. The Chairman referred to .the 25 February -1966 meeting
of the United States Intelligence Board and noted that it had approved
the recommendation of an ad hoc group that "in six months' time
COMOR, with the assistance of appropriate representatives of the
interested agencies, review the status. d. adequacy of the data base
on China", . Mr. Tidwell advised
members agenda of the next meeting
for further discussion.
IDEALISTI
CORONA
CORONA
IDEALIS
Discussion. of Actions Needed in Conjunction with
~COMOR-M
x372
Ong Range Paper
24. The Chairmanadvised members. that he had recently L
been. reminded that COMOR has a further obligation to report on the
need, for high resolution photography. Mr. Tidwell 'observed -that in
its recent efforts to meet 'problems associated with the long range
paper on. a. piecemeal basis, some similar oblicrations may have
been bypassed. The Chairman requested to. expedite
their work on the long range paper with. particular emphasis. on. such
.topics . not yet covered .as meaning of and need for higher resolution,
electronic data linac; the use of radar, etc.
Executive Secretary
Committee on Overhead Reconnaissance
ADDENDUM:
Attachments:
Tabs A and B
CORONA
ivy &E R-CT
COMOR-M-372
Tab A
8 July 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, COMOR
SUBJECT: Status Report on Cumulative Area Coverage
of Cuba
The following tabulation presents the status of GOLDEN TREE__
coverage of Cuba, current as of Mission 8105, 6 July 1966:
Date Number of Missions Percent Coverage
14 May - 6 July 12
18 May - 6 July 11
20 May - 6 July 10
24 May - 6 July 9
5 June - 6 July 8
10 June - 6 July 7
11 June - 6 July 6
14 June - 6 July 5
17 June - 6 July 4
23 June - 6 July 3
1 July - 6 July 2
6 July 1
Chairman
100
99
99
98
98
97
96
96
89
71
48
40
COMOR Photo Working Group
Group I
Excluded from automatic down-
grading and declassification
H O
0
U
CORONA
IDEALIS