(Sanitized) CAPABILITIES TO PROCESS AND EXPLOIT MIDDLE EAST PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000700020011-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 5, 1970
• Content Type: MF

25X1 Approved For Release 2003/12/22 : CIA-RDP78BO5703A000700020011-5
Approved For Release 2003/12/22 : CIA-RDP78BO5703A000700020011-5
 MEMORANDUM FOR.
/12/22: CIA-RDP78B05703A00020011-5
5 March 1970
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Op SECRET
Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence
Capabilities to Process and
Exploit Middle East Photography
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1. The following information about the status of
I
a. DNRO has not yet formally authorized
activation and certification of
primarily because it would entail about
special commo facilities. A tie-in, on a non-dedicated
basis, to USAF commo a number of miles away is being
explored as a less expensive alternative. Until a
decision is made USAF is marking time on major
.equipment programs or changes.
b. Improved film processing equipment
is required to provide optimum quality consistent
with that available in U.S. processing facilities. Such
equipment has been procured but not yet installed.
c. I was told that SR-71 operations cannot
be handledi without the improved communications
facilities. understand this is in part related to navigation
type data peculiar to SR-71 operations.
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emerged at today's COMIREX meeting:
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d. As of this moment, the only airborne
capability which could be handled in the field would
be U-2R materials.
N
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2. The USAF member indicated that, if special
Middle East collection were initiated, he would anticipate
immediate parallel decisions to augment the field's processin
capabilities by means of NRO fly-away equipment on standby
3. The field has been queried by the USAF regarding
availability of target information and other data which would be
necessary for immediate exploitation purposes if readout were
performed at now receives all
NPIC data generated on'Middle East targets and maintains an
up-to-date data base. I was told that there are PI's who are
familiar with these targets and that the 497th regularly reviews
and updates target files and contingency plan data related to the
Middle East. Because of the indeterminate status of the
personnel to visit and review. USAF has indicated, however, that
it will be feasible.
we have not yet firmed up plans for COMIREX/NPIC-related
4. The question appears to boil down to one
of whether the likelihood of needing to utilize for processing
and exploitation of nationally tasked reconnaissance over the
Middle East,is sufficiently urgent to warrant the decision to proceed
immediately with modifications which could cost the NRO as much
II and require in any case some months to complete. In the
interim the field facility would be able to handle U-2R film on a
somewhat ad hoc basis and could be augmented by special processing
equipment.
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5. If the purpose behind special collection were
primarily to obtain information on non-time-sensitive developments
in the Middle East, I would, at this time, recommend that
processing and exploitation be performed in the U. S.
NPIC, even though initial readout would be at least six to 12 hours
later than would be possible through ]means. Delays could
be greater if flying weather was particularly unfavorable. The
time delay between photography and readout would be balanced
somewhat by the improved control which could be exercised over
the entire film processing and exploitation cycle.
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