NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER MISSION AND FUNCTIONS STATEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05167A000800030006-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 3, 2014
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 13, 1963
• Content Type: REPORT

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13 June 1963
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
MISSION AND FUNCTIONS STATEMENT
1. AUTHORITY
The National Photographic Interpretation Center (NFIC) was established
by National Security Council Intelligence Directive No. 8, dated
18 January 1961 and functions under the executive direction of the Director
of Central Intelligence.
2. MISSION
The National Photographic Interpretation Center is charged with
producing photographic interpretation reports, providing photographic
intelligence services in support of the national intelligence effort,
furnishing such additional support to departmental and Agency interests
as can be provided without degradation of national responsibilities, and
promoting an integrated and coordinated interdepartmental effort in the
exploitation of photography for intelligence purposes.
3. FUNCTIONS
The National Photographic Interpretation Center shall:
a. Produce photographic interpretation reports in support of the
national inLelligence effort and approved Priority National Intelligence
Objectives to include preliminary, rapid interpretation of photographic
detail and comprehensive photographic analysis, utilizing whenever
possible related collateral information.
b. Provide as a service of common concern to the intelligence
community photographic intelligence services in support of the national
photographic intelligence effort, and, whenever practicable, furnish
additional support to departmental and agency interests.
c. Maintain on a selective basis a consolidated central file of
photographic data.
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d. Arrange for the exchange of photographs and photographic data
with other photographic collections in the intelligence community.
e. Make recommendations where appropriate to facilitate the
coordinated development of compatible codes, indexes, and mechanized
systems for the efficient recovery, selection and collation of
available photographic data.
f. Prepare photographic and photogrammetric intelligence support
requirements.
g. Provide analytic and technical photographic intelligence
services in support of special collection and exploitation require-
ments.
h. Engage in or sponsor, as appropriate, the development of
specialized equipment for the intelligence exploitation of Photog-
raphy, and shall provide information about such specialized equipment
to interested elements of the intelligence community for their ?Impossible
use or further adaptation.
i. Provide and maintain accommodations and facilities within the
Center for photographic intelligence units of Intelligence Board
components involved in national and departmental activities.
j. Examine and make recommendations to the U. S. Intelligence
Board, as appropriate, as to any special security controls required.
k. Consult, as appropriate, with individual departments, agencies,
and committees of the U. S. Intelligence Board on matters related to
photographic intelligence exploitation activities.
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ASSISTANT FOR ADMINISTRATION
MISSION
The Assistant for Administration is responsible to the Director, NPIC,
for providing a comprehensive Center-wide program of administrative
support and for serving as principal advisor to the Director in all
matters pertaining thereto.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
MISSION
The Administrative Staff, under the direction of the Assistant foe
Administration, is responsible for providing administrative support
and services in matters relating to personnel, training, budget, finance,
travel, records management, contracting, supply, and other logistical
support. In addition, it executes a comprehensive security program
in support of the mission of NPIC.
FUNCTIONS
The Administrative Staff shall:
1. Develop, recommend, and implement plans, programs, and pro-
cedures in all administrative fields in support of NPIC activities.
2. Assist the Director in the development of organizational concepts
and provide support in the establishment of staffing complements, job
standards, and position descriptions.
3. Operate a personnel administration program to include recruitment,
assignment, utilization, promotions, employees relations, and career
development.
4. Provide the administration for a comprehensive NPIC training
program to be conducted within the Center and at such external facilities
as prove necessary.
5. Prepare NPIC budget submittals as required by the Comptroller, CIA.
6. Develop and maintain effective financial accounting recorda and
prepare periodic reports on the financial status of the Center.
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7. Provide support and services to NPIC foreign and domestic travel
programs.
8. Develop and operate a complete program of logistics services
including guidance and support to procurement activities, implementation
and follow-up of contractural actions through appropriate procurement
channels, administration and management of NPIC building space, and
operation of supply and maintenance programs.
9. Administer a Records Management Program for the Center.
10. Formulate and execute a comprehensive physical and personnel
security program for NPIC including security of the Center installation,
briefing of personnel, and handling of security breaches in coordination
with appropriate authorities.
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ASSISTANT FOR OPERATIONS
MISSION
The Assistant for Operations is responsible to the Director, NPIC for
ensuring the timely production of national photographic interpretation
reports and coordination of photographic intelligence services, and for
serving as principal advisor to the Director in all matters pertaining
thereto.
OPERATIONS STAFF
MISSION
The Operations Staff, under the direction of the Assistant for Operations,
is responsible for developing production procedures and schedules to per-
mit the timely production of national photographic interpretation reports,
providing a program analysis system, conducting and supporting briefing
programs, maintaining a communications facility, and furnishing guidance
and support to the NPIC Advisory Committee.
FUNCTIONS
The Operations Staff shall:
1. Develop and coordinate procedures for the timely production of
photographic interpretation reports and photographic support services.
2. Provide guidance and direction to Center support components in
fulfilling requirements for departmental services.
3. Conduct liaison with collecting organizations in order to obtain
information necessary for programming production within the Center.
4. Conduct liaison with USIB member agencies and Sub-Committees as
required.
5. Process all requirements submitted to the Center for photographic
analysis and support services.
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6. Provide guidance and support to the NPIC Advisory Committee and
its Secretariat in their formulation of national requirements.
7. Operate the NPIC communication facility and provide for the
receipt, dispatch and coordination of cable traffic.
8. Develop and maintain statistical information for analysis of
operations, produce statistical studies on production and manpower
utilization, and prepare status reports on projects in work and related
support required.
9. Recommend new operating techniques and procedures.
10. Conduct briefings as required and support the Director of the
Center in the conduct of briefings.
11. Produce special intelligence summaries as required.
12. Provide support to the Photographic Analysis Group as
required.
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ASSISTANT FOR PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT
MISSION
The Assistant for Plans and Development is responsible to the Director,
NPIC, for preparation of over-all planning studies, for ensuring that the
Center is technically oriented and equipped to meet its production require-
ments, and for serving as principal advisor to the Director on all matters
pertaining thereto.
PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT STAFF
MISSION
The Plans and Development Staff, under the direction of the Assistant
for Plans and Development, is responsible for developing plans for the
future role and activities of the Center in carrying out its mission,
conducting a comprehensive technical equipment development program for
the intelligence exploitation of photography, and providing technical
evaluations and support to photographic collection systems activities.
FUNCTIONS
The Plans and Development Staff shall:
1. Conduct and prepare long-range planning studies as directed by
the Director, NPIC.
2. Maintain a current awareness of proposed and future developments
in photographic collection programs and determine their potential effect
upon photographic intelligence exploitation activities.
3. Provide guidance and support to the NPIC Technical Development
Committee.
4. Initiate, recommend, and implement technical development plans
and programs, and provide technical information and services in support
of NPIC operating components.
5. Provide technical guidance and support in the procurement of
equipment and services to include the establishment of technical
specifications, technical contract monitoring, inspection and acceptance
actions in accordance with pertinent procurement regulations and pro-
cedural requirements.
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6. Provide information and support to interested elements of the
intelligence community in the development of specialized equipment
for the intelligence exploitation of photography including coordination
of joint procurement activities.
7. Provide special advisory and consulting services to intelligence
community photographic collection activities as required.
8. Operate an exploratory development laboratory to investigate
and report on advanced techniques in photographic chemistry, optics,
mechanics and electronics which appear to have potential beneficial
application to NPIC.
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TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE DIVISION
MISSION
The Technical Intelligence Division is responsible for performing technical
analysis of current and proposed photographic collection programs; planning,
directing and operating a scientific computer facility and associated on-
line real-time system; and providing photogrammetric analysis, mensural
support, and technical photographic intelligence services to NPIC, the
departmental activities of the Service/Agency Detachments and select com-
ponents of the Intelligence Community.
FUNCTIONS
The Technical Intelligence Division shall:
1. Produce technical photographic intelligence based upon photogrammetric
analysis, and provide mensural data and technical analytical support to photo-
graphic intelligence production activities.
2. Perform mathematical studies to assist in the technical analysis and
exploitation of unusual and complex photographic systems.
3. Conduct calibration and evaluation studies of cameras and instrumen-
tation for the purpose of improving technical intelligence exploitation
potentials of photographic systems as required.
4. Plan and operate a scientific computing facility and associated
on-line real-time system.
5. Formulate systems and procedures for digital computer derivation
and reduction of quantitative information, develop mathematical models, and
prepare computer programs.
6. Perpare technical photographic designator information, provide
initial review and edit of film, and perform quality evaluations of photo-
graphic inputs from collection systems.
7. Prepare detailed, comprehensive, and special plots of photographic
materials received by NPIC.
8, Conduct evaluations of select collection systems, and provide
technical performance data to assist in their improvement.
9. Maintain data on the current capabilities in photogrammetric instru-
mentation and techniques of foreign organizations and assist in the preparation
of estimates of foreign capabilities in the field of technical photographic
intelligence.
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PUBLICATIONS DIVISION
MISSION
The Publications Division is responsible for reviewing, editing, analyzing,
and illustrating intelligence information; preparing the intelligence
information for publication as national or departmental publications
or other dissemination as appropriate; developing publication standards,
including standards for presentation and printing; and preparing visual
aids in support of NPIC, departmental activities of the Service/Agency
Detachments, and select components of the intelligence community.
FUNCTIONS
The Publications Division shall:
1. Provide guidance and assistance in the planning, organization,
writing, processing, and preparation of photographic interpretation reports.
2. Review all items submitted for inclusion in formal publications
for apparent substantive completeness and accuracy, consistency, compatability
with published information, proper use of security classification and controls,
and correlation of texts and graphics.
3. Edit material intended for publication at NPIC for grammar, clarity
of expression, spelling, punctuation, and adherence to appropriate style
specifications.
4. Develop and issue style and writing manuals to assist analysts in
the initial preparation of manuscripts.
5. Provide guidance in the selection and direction in the development
of the illustrative portions of formal publications.
6. Prepare illustrations, text, and tabular material in final form
for reproduction.
7. Provide configuration analysis in support of photographic
interpretation activities.
8. Construct and prepare all types of visual aids such as briefing
boards, vugraphs, models, mosaics, and charts.
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COLLATERAL SUPPORT DIVISION
MISSION
The Collateral Support Division is responsible for providing intelligence
research and reference support, and automatic data processing services to
NPIC, departmental activities of the Service/Agency Detachments, and select
components of the Intelligence Community.
FUNCTIONS
The Collateral Support Division shall:
1. Provide intelligence research and collateral support assistance to
photographic analysis activities of the Center.
2. Prepare and maintain Target Briefs on targets of interest to NPIC.
3. Recommend materials fpr briefings, and prepare briefing notes and
special studies as requested by the Director, NPIC.
4. Provide intelligence reference services and procure intelligence
studies, periodicals, photographs, films, and maps as required.
5. Index and classify intelligence data and photography for machine
storage and retrieval.
6. Periodically compile and issue listings of photographic inter-
pretation reports and photography.
7. Plan for and operate an automatic data processing facility for
rapid generation of reports produced by the Center and for storage and
retrieval of intelligence data and photography.
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PRODUCTION SERVICES DIVISION
MISSION
The Production Services Division is responsible for providing technical
support and services to NPIC, departmental activities of the Service/Agency
Detachments, and select components of the Intelligence Community including
operation of a photographic laboratory, printing and reproduction facility,
master file and dissemination control system, and a central courier
service for highly classified intelligence materials.
FUNCTIONS
The Production Services Division shall:
1. Design, develop, and operate a specialized photographic laboratory
in support of photographic analysis and photogrammetric mensuration
activities.
2. Operate and maintain a complete reproduction and printing facility
for the timely reproduction of specially controlled reports and graphic
materials.
3. Maintain a complete master file of
related materials.
4. Provide a secure document handling
system for sensitive types of material.
selected photography and
facility and necessary control
5. Receive and dispatch sensitive materials to and from foreign and
domestic installations in accordance with rigorously prescribed security
control systems.
6. As a service of common concern, provide a special courier service
for handling highly sensitive materials within the Intelligence Community.
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