PERSONNEL BALLOONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05416099
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2017
• Case Number: F-2008-00941
• Publication Date: November 10, 1952

2016/10/24 C05416099
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AppmvedforRelease
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT: Personnel balloons
I do not know whether this subject has ever been considered by the
but I pass along the following information in view of the
fact that the other branches of EE
that I know of)are
taking an interest and it may possibly be worth consideration by our
branch also.
Last Friday, 7 November, I had the opportunity to view some moving
pictures of the latest test trials of personnel balloons conducted by the
Office of Research and Development. These balloons are 25' and 30' high
and are made of clear plastic. They are capable of carrying one or two
men and from 500 to over 900 pounds in addition. The balloons can be
launched on land or sea by one or two men. They are capable of traveling
several hundred miles in one night and are very difficult to detect with
radar. The tests showed that great accuaracy can be obtained by a skillf
pilot.
Possible uses for these balloons might include the following:
(1) caching of arms, WiT, and supplies;
(2) caching the balloons themselves to be used for escape and evasion;
(3)
infiltration of personnel (this will assume more importance in our
area as the East German border controls become more stringent).
The SE division now has purchased over 50 of these balloons. Their
main interest, I understand, is in category (3) above.
A training program is now being set up for Agency personnel so that
they may in turn train indigenous agents in the operation of balloons.
I realize that the above information is inadequate upon which to base
judgment. However, I have talked with of R&D who is the head
of the overall program and he informs me that he would be glad to brief
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you fully and show you his films in your office at your convenience.
If you are interested I will be glad to make an appointment for you.
Approved for Release: 2016/10/24 C05416099