OXCART/BLACK SHIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 15, 2006
• Sequence Number: 79
• Publication Date: April 5, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
Cy /a yl~ /z
MEMORANDUM FOR: Office of Planning, Programming and
Budgeting
THROUGH: Executive Officer, DD/S&T
SUBJECT: OXCART/BLACK SHIELD
Attached is the briefing note you requested concern-
ing BLACK SHIELD status and supplemental funding require-
ments.
JACK C. LEDFORD
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
Attachment:
a/s
NRO review(s)
completed.
Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
 Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
25X1
Cy /Z of /2 cys
BRIEFING NOTE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: OXCART/BLACK SHIELD
I. Background
In March 1965, Mr. John A. McCone expressed Agency
concern with the increasing difficulties in obtaining photo-
reconnaissance coverage of China, with special emphasis on
South China, and North and South Viet Nam. He held a con-
ference with Secretaries McNamara and Vance on March 18,
1965. This conference examined the increased SEA military
activities and related threat of SAMs and MIG 21 attack
techniques against U-2s and drone operations. It also con-
sidered the complex programming and targeting of satellite
operations. The requirements for high quality, current photo
coverage were clearly evident. As a consequence, Mr. McCone
and Secretaries McNamara and Vance agreed that steps should
be taken to establish the capability to operate OXCART from
Kadena AB, Okinawa This decision 25X1
included a construction program to improve the facilities
at Kadena, as a part of the Air Force support program and
the Agency team preparation of equipment, personnel and oper-
ating procedures and facilities.
II. Preparations
In June 1965, you and Secretary Vance examined the
details of our respective implementing programs. The Air
Force support involved constructing new hangars, some modi-
fication of existing hangars, the building of new BOQ units,
establishing necessary utilities, enlarging and installing
new POL facilities, arranging for and improving the operations
facilities, warehouse space, engine test stands, shops, secu-
rity fencing and runway aprons. The cost was slightly in
excess of (See Attachment I)
Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
 Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
TOP SECRE11'- '
Page 2
Agency project responsibilities were absorbed
within programmed FY 1966 OXCART project funding, and
it was decided the additional costs in personnel, travel
and communications would be collected and to treat them
as an unprogrammed requirement.
By the first of December 1965 we qualified the
systems and accomplished the majority of the associated
operational and logistic arrangements. (See Attachment TT)
III. Present Status
The 303 Committee reviewed the deployment of
the OXCART capability to the Far East on 3 December 1965.
The Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, on 2
December 1965, had proposed that the 303 Committee consider
the appropriateness of implementing the OXCART deployment
in early January 1966. The 303 Committee took the position
that an early January 1966 date was not the propitious time,
as it would conflict with certain complex national and inter-
national problems and solutions to those problems which were
to be sought during this time frame. The Committee did
direct that all necessary steps be taken to prepare the
operating base and that the OXCART project should posture
itself to have an in place capability within a relatively
short time, i.e., 21 days from the execution date. The
intelligence requirement for the use of. OXCART in the Far
East was enunciated in
dat
d 30 N
,
e
ovember 1965,
The 303 Committee, in its 20 January 1966 meeting,
was informed that the OXCART Project had established a
quick reaction capability (QRC) and was prepared to deploy
at the direction of higher authority. On this occasion the
303 Committee asked that this state of readiness be main-
tained pending direction from higher authority. This is the
current state of Project OXCART.
In the 303 meeting on 28 March 1966 we again re-
viewed the Southeast Asia situation and the need for deploy-
ment of OXCART. It was decided that current. opinions on use
of OXCART should be brought to the attention of higher author-
ity at an early date.
TOP'SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
 Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
25X1 25X1
Page 3
IV. BLACK SHIELD Agency Budget Increase FY 1966
At the 303 Committee meeting on 3 December 1965
it was decided the Agency should reeppleniishitesources
to have a backup team in being, ready tre conduct replace
second-
ary de-
ployed (Kadena) team, or alternatively,
aoperations against denied territory. This was an en-
largement of the basic (QRC) capability, and necessitated
a re-examination of our personnel, travel and communication
equipment requirements in FY 1966. This resulted in the
recent Agency request for release of FY 1966 funds in the
amount of (See Attachment III)
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
 Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0
PS/OSA~ sj (5 Apr 66)
Distribution:
Cys 1, 2 - DCI
3 - DDCI
4
5
6
7
8
9
10,11
12
Ex Dir
D/R/CIA
DD/S&T
D/S A
OPPB
OGC
PS/OSA
RB/OSA
Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100040079-0