VISIT OF AIR FORCE OFFICER TO (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000200230061-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 28, 2003
• Sequence Number: 61
• Publication Date: January 7, 1956
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2003/09/29 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000200230061-6
SAPC-3080
CopyJof 6
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Project Director 7 January 1956
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1. I received a call from KJ late in the day on 6 January in which
he stated that the following six Air Force Officers have told him through some
channel or other that they are planning a trip I on 13 January: 25X1
Generals Estes and Mitchell and Colonels Apold, Brewer, Harrington and
Maxwell. I recognize the last three men on this list as the three who are in
charge of the Air Force procurement of "the angel" and told Kelly that we
knew and approved of their intended visit. I also told him that Colonel Apold
had been given some information about this project but that I personally was
not aware that Generals Estes and Mitchell were fully witting of it. 25X1
2. I promised Kelly that we would advise him promptly of the degree
of knowledgeability of Estes, Mitchell and Apold and would also confirm. to him
that they were cleared to visit I believe a messa a should go 25X1
out on 9 January both to and to Burbank for Iland Kelly clear-
ing all these people, if such clearance is appropriate, and advising all concerned
whether these officers are fully knowledgeable of AQUATONE. I have already
told Kelly that Brewer, Harrington and Maxwell are fully knowledgeable.
3. Although I doubt whether we can do anything about this trip and
indeed it may serve a useful purpose, this incident has raised again in my mind
a serious concern about the spread of knowledge of this project in the Air Force.
From the beginning of this project we rejected what I regard as the "town Meeting"
approach that seems to me typical of ARDC and AMC. What I mean is the
approach whereby every special interest (such as power plants in the case of
Colonel Apold) is allowed to join in extensive and very wide-spread discussion
of a development program. It seems to me that we are rapidly sliding into
a position where literally hundreds of senior Air Force Officers have been and
are being cut in on AQUATONE, not because they have any real need to know
or because we expect any contribution from them or support but only because
they are in the habit of knowing about projects of this sort which are handled
through regular Air Force channels. I have a dim recollection that General
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USAF review(s) completed.
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WWI 1W
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Estes was cut in on the project early in the game and I know that Colonel
Apold has been told something about it more recently. If Maxwell is in the
same status I am sure nothing will be gained by discouraging their trip to
Indeed, it would be far better to encourage them and secure
their cooperation and support. I do feel, however, that we should review
with Colonel Berg the extent of knowledgeability in the Air Force and launch
a new campaign to clamp down.
4. In the above-referred to conversation with Kelly, he made a
suggestion which seems to me to have great merit. It is that the Air Force
plant representative at Lockheed, Colonel Charles Moore, now be made
knowledgeable of AQUATONE. In support of this proposal Kelly says that
Colonel Moore, though excluded from any knowledgeability, has been most
cooperative in keeping AQUATONE under cover and that it will promote
rather than impair security to have him more fully knowledgeable now that
procurement is being initiated for the Air Force itself. I concur in this
view. If you agree would you set in motion the necessary clearance for
Colonel Moore. Would you also advise Kelly that we are proceeding with
his clearance and that he will be cut in shortly,,
RICHARD M, 13156TUji,, on.
Project Director
cc: Project Security Offr
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Approved For Release 2003/09/29 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000200230061-6