OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFICES (NRO)(S)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00326R000300070009-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 2, 1963
• Content Type: MF

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THE Sr.CRET; RY Qi D"EF ENSE
MEMORANDUM TOR The Chairman. Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Director. National Reconnaissance Office (S)
SUBJECT: Operational Aspects of the National Reconnaissance
Office (NRO)(S)
Reference: C/JCS memo to Sec Del. subject as above@ dated
2 May 63 (tile CM 542-63).
I have reviewed the above referenced memorandum and have
reached the following conclusions.
a. I agree in principle with the organisational arrange-
ment recommended by the Director, National Reconnaissance
office. and concurred in by the Joint Chiefs of Stmt.
b. Final agreement on this organisational arrangement
is contingent upon JCS/Director. NRO concurrence in the explicit
additional duties to be performed by the JRC in this connection.
Accordingly. I am transmitting as Attachment I the Terms of
Reference under which I desire these additional
Attachment CC duties to
further U. for performed. I am also transmitting
JCS comments, a delineation of proposed additional functions and
responsibilities of the JRC. compatible with the Terms of Reference.
which would also form the basis for modification of the JRC charter.
c. I agree with the specific recommendation of the
Director. NRO that NRO responsibility for aircraft,, overflights will
cease upon decision by the Secretary of Defense or higher authority
that the area in question has become an active theater of military
operations.
d. 1 do not concur in the JCS proposal that R&D respon-
sibilities for satellite reconnaissance systems to be used in conflict
NRO, JCS and OSD review(s) completed.
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situations be assigned to the military Services. It is my present
view that responsibility for reconnaissaaee satellite RiD and
operation should r.msin as assigned in the National Reconnaissance
Office. subject to my approval. and that adequate mechanisms
exist to promulgate the development of such systems for potential
employment through Nations) Reconnaissance Office chaaaels.
G,.,d cTt r~#- C\
?. I request that the JCS by J /e Is. 1963. inform me
and the Director. NRO of any,,establish \R&D requirements for
realistic employment of satellites for reconnaissance in central
and limited wars which. in the opinion of the JCS. are yet to be
fulfilled or would require different implementation.
= Attachments
I - Terms of Reference
NRO /JCS Airsraft
Operations Center
II - Proposed AMitisaSi
Dudes of JRC
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Attachment fill,
TZAMS Or RZFIRZNCZ
. FOR
NRO /JCS AIRCRAFT OPWI ATIONI CZNTZR
1. Problem:
To define organisational arrangements. functions, responsibilities.
work flow and coordination procedures. such that the mutual responsi-
bilities of the Director, National Reconnaissance Office, and the JCS for
management and performance of aircraft flight over denied areas for.
reconnaissance purposes can best be satisfied, considering situations
of both cold war and militarily more active situations.
In what follows. the term NRO implicitly recognises that the CIA
functions and operations in support of the NAO are under the control of
the Director. NRO, including the preparation and submission of plans
for aircraft or other vehicle overflights, although such CIA functions are
es:plicitly discussed in several places.
2. Terms of Reference:
a. The NAO/CIA OpCen and the JCS/JRC are currently performing
denied area aircraft overnight operation..
b. NRO/CIA missions now. and increasingly in the future. will
require coasodtment of resources and capabilities under JC$ direction.
specific or implicit.
c. The totality ad missions under way or under active considera-
tion (satellite overflight recosaaissaaee, peripheral aircraft. corridor
or special mission aircraft. aircraft overflight. and overflight by special
Vehicles -- e. S. , balloons, drones, etc.) and the level of hostilities or
asilitarr.-action under way at any time (cold war. periods of tension with
possible or iplicit military action. or some form of actual war) require
that precise arrangements be formulated to ensure that all planned or
proposed missions are compatible, that necessary resources and
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capabilities be made available , and that a focal point for coordination
of the entire array of missions mists to ensure that all necessary
missions are performed with the greatest possible dispatch.
d. The Special Group will continue to review' and authorise all
peacetime peripheral and overflight reconnaissance operations and other
sensitive reconnaissance operations which fall within the scope of this
charter. Should any missions be contemplated which are not normally so
reviewed, it will be the responsibility of the parties in this charter
arrangement to ensure non-interference of missions, lacking specific
instructions to the contrary.
e. Reconnaissance mission planning will be in response to re-
quirements validated by appropriate authority (such authority includes
Secretary of Defense. UBIS, JCS. and may include in special instances,
by concurrence. Unified and Specified Commands. DIA and NSA) or in
response to special request of appropriate authority.
f. Specific and detailed pplanning for reconnaissance mission
support and operations. which also specifies mission control. will
generally be conducted according to the following "normal partitioning."
JCS -- Peripheral flights. corridor flights. special missions.
aircraft overflight missions anywhere in times of active military hosti-
lities (as defined by the Secretary of Defense or higher authority) using
inventory military resources, and/or other missions specifically re-
quested or approved by the Secretary. of Defense, or Special Group.
whether or not requiring third pasty arrangements.
NRO -- All recemaissancae overflights over denied areas and
other specifically designated areas. in particular overflights during
relatively normal times or requiring highly sensitive third party arrange.
meats. The Director. NRO will assign responsibility for preparation
of aircraft overflight plans to -the CIA when appropriate to the vehicle
and i of operation to w CMpwYWU.
Contingency plans will be prepared by JCS and NRO as re-
quired by the authorities listed in paragraph e. , above, and following
normal partitioning unless otherwise instructed (see pars X.. below).
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r)
This "normal partitioning" can be perturbed by the Secretary
of Defense)orr Cher higher authority to accommodate new or special
situations. In particular. the Secretary of Defense or other higher
authority may request either JCS or NRO to prepare plans for special
situations or operations, and may request a transfer of mission control.
h. A joint operational entity is necessary to ensure complete
and comprehensive planning and coordination. This is obtained through
an expanded JRC which concurrently serves the operational needs of the
NRO and JCS.
i. In accordance with the normal mission partitioning of f.. res-
ponsibility for preparation of final mission execute orders and release
will be assumed by the JCS for missions under their control, and by the
Director. NRO for all operations under his control. including both CIA
and DOD aircraft missions.
J. Under the terms of this arrangement the JRC functions and
responsibilities will be enlarged, and appropriate additional officers
brought in. to handle additional NRO duties as proscribed later, while
maintaining current JRC functions and responsibilities.
In the performance of these several duties the JRC will be used
as a directly integrated organisational entity by both JCS and NAO,
.reporting directly to these groups. because of his several responsibilities
under this arrangement. the Chairman. JRC. will be selected by the JCS
with the concurrence of the Director, NRO.
3. Staffing and Location:
a. The Chairman of the JRC also will serve as Deputy for
Operations. NRO Staff.
b. In his capacity as Deputy for Operations. NRO Stan, and in
accordance with, and limited by, the instructions of the Director, NRO.
the Chairman of the J&C will manage the MROJAAircraft Operations Center
(AOC). and supervise the NAO/Satellite Operations Center (SOC).
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c. The NRO/AOC may be auganented by personasl presently
assigned to the CIA Operations office and other appropriate organisations
within DOD, by joint agreement.
d. The NRO/AOC will be physically located *ithin the Pentagon,
to provide for m,ad=num use of communications and other facilities. and
to afford maximum ease of contact with JRC. situation rooms. etc.
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Attachment "W'
PROPOSED
ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE JRC
Under the arrangement specified. the Deputy for Operations. NRO
Staf, also will be Chief of the Joint Reconnaissance Center. He will
use the JAC operations staff augmented as indicated to perform the
following duties. The present charter of the JRC will be modified
accordingly to reflect these additional duties pertaining to NRO and JCS
responsibilities.
a. Additional Duties for NO.
directed by the ireetor~,IQ 1
(1) Assign and/or review overflight mission planning in
response to validated USa or other appropriate authority request, and
evaluate and modify if necessary operational plans based on analysis
of mission requirements. programming option desired, logistic. weather.
lighting condition. and readiness factors. schedules for operation, and
performance capabilities of collection devices.
(Z). From these plans, and in coWunctien with appropriate
organisations /agencies. define specific mission peealirar support required.
if any (e. g.. stand-downs, diversions. resew and emergency provisions.
tracking. communications. recovery and logistics).
(3) Prepare. and Issue. Upon approval, appropriate eueeute
somas . ds and orders for final mission commitment and recovery to
Ua lied and Specified Commands, military Services. and NRO/CIA.
(4) Present plan for approval of total. mission to higher
authority as required.
(5) Zatablish mission and status reporting procedures for
use by designated of!'ieialat follow progress of all NRO missions and keep
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the Director, NRO and other designated officials informed of mission
progress, difficulties, and results.
(6) Prepare and review consolidated forecast of future NAO
missions, and status of pLutning for these. for appropriate and designated
governmental groups.
(7) Prepare and transmit to the JCS forecasts of missions
and plans therefor, with sufficient lead-times for review.
(g) Prepare and transmit to the JCS requests for support as
appropriate with sufficient lead-times for review.
(9) Analyse, evaluate, deliver to appropriate agencies for
further intelligence exploitation, and disseminate, mission performance
results, and degree of achievement of programmed objectives.
(10) Develop appropriate cover and unplanned abort arrange-
ments in coordination with appropriate agencies.
(11) Perform special studies as assigasd in areas of future
requirements, additional programs, transfer of control of resources
under various contingencies, etc.. for review and approval.
(12) Provide a focal point for translation of DIA?U0T
intelligence, mapping and geodesy collection requirements into mission
specifications.
(13) Specify targets to be covered by satellite missions fr=om
ansoag assigned target lists. prepared by Ula(COMOR), translating
validated requirements Into desired on-orbit target program options and,
as required, make on-orbit selection of specific option based on lasowledge
of other consideration (e.g. . weather, intelligence).
b. Additional Dudes for JC$.
As directed by Chairman, JCSs
(1) Review, and assess for the JC$ (sad D/NRO) forecast NAO
missions for impact on other missions nad.r JCS control.
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(2) DeAn. mission conficts. if W. for decisions as to
priority between "rema,. JCS and Dir?stor. NAO. or higher authority
if necessary.
(3) Define. on basis of forecast NAO missions. potential
impact on resources of Unified and Specified Cotes. for such
support, special activities. etc.. as may be required, and make arrange-
meats for provisions of those resources with such commands.
(4) Assure that JC3 cad NW are fully and continually informed
on states sad readiness of this support.
(5) Worm. Director. NAO of any JCS considerations which in
their estimation may require, as a Matter of priority or urgency, a
doledsa or modification of forecast NAO plans on the basis of other
military. operational or policy frators. and prepare such modified plans
with pl,ector. NAO concurrence.
(6) Prepare for JCS laud at Director. NAO regwst, for $10)
a mmsaihly summary report of past and forecast peripheral and overflight
Missions and achieved or planed results.
(7) Participate as a matter of sours, with NAO on planning
and operation matters requiring coordinated actions or missions (*.so Joint peripheral and overflight missions. transmission of execute orders.
etc.).
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