PROPOSED NRO STAFF FUNCTIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040009-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 25, 2002
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 10, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Apprea-tsd For Release 2002Ja.p~9SB,pA6300724R000100040009-8 ECR
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Reconnaissance, CIA
Proposed NRO Staff Functions
1. By way of a general observation regarding the proposed NRO
Staff functions, I am again compelled to comment that in my opinion
if these functions are carried to fruition, this staff will primarily
function as a "buffer zone" between the Program Directors and
DNRO/DDNRO. We have all seen this happen in various areas already
and if this process continues, it most certainly will slow to a crawl
the daily operations of the NRO. While I recognize that an NRO Staff
is needed, to interject it between the Program Directors and the
DNRO/DDNRO is most undesirable.
2. My specific comments on the NRO Staff functions are as
follows:
a. Director, NRO Staff - I see no need for, nor am I in
agreement with, the permissable delegation of authority of
the DNRO/DDNRO to the D/NRO Staff.
b. Assistant for Security - Change paragraph to read as
follows:* "Functioning in an advisory and Liaison capacity, he
is the principle NRO Staff member on all matters involving the
investigation and security facilities of the DOD, Military
Departments, CIA and NRO Program Directors as required.
He provides secretariat services for the non-Agency contingency
planning community and serves as the NRO * Staff member of
the ICPC working group." (Obviously, CIA should continue to be
represented. )
. c. Assistant for Communications - Change paragraph to
read as follows:* "Assists CIA, upon request, in the coordination
with DOD and other Government agencies regarding the installation
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and utilization of CIA communications services and facilities
which are employed solely and primarily for NRP matters".
We would strongly recommend that a CIA communications
officer be assigned to the office of Assistant for Communications
to ensure smooth coordination between CIA and other Government
agencies as they affect the NRO communications system.
d. Deputy for Operations - The implication in the last
paragraph is that the functions of the Deputy for Operations will
include those now being carried out by AFRDR (General Geary).
While we are not against change and are certainly not saying
that it would not work under the proposed set up, the least that
can be said for it is that in the past it has been a very smooth
running operation and that the responsiveness of AFRDR has
always been exceptionally timely and of a most cooperative and
constructive manner. The other implication in the description
of these functions is that it would place the NRO Staff in the
position of passing judgment on what our (DOD) requirements
are in support of the NRO.
e. Deputy for R&D - In my judgment, the Deputy for R&D
should not be responsible for reviewing all R&D programs
proposed by the various Program Directors who have technically
competent staffs for just this purpose. To permit detailed review
of each proposed program from a technical viewpoint, as a
matter of charter, allows too much authority within a staff
function and would certainly impede timely reaction to require-
ments. Briefly, I would view the function as one of coordination
to avoid duplication and technical review only as requested by the
DNRO/DDNRO.
f. Deputy for Plans, Policy, and Resources - Although
it may be implicit in the second paragraph of this functions
statement, I recommend the following change to make it more
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explicit: '!This staff handles public information matters of
concern to the D/NRO * (in coordination with the DCI and
consistent with security policy established by the DCI. )"
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*Changes made
Director of Special Activities
CK C. LEDFORD
rigadier General, USAF
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Distribution:
1 - D/R/CIA
2 - DD/S&T
3 - D/SA
4 - PS / OSA
5 - D/Tech/OSA
6 - D/FA/OSA
7 - SS / OSA
8 - C&FE/OSA
9 - Chrono
10 - RB/OSA
PS/OSA 10 Mar 66)
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