LETTER TO GENERAL EARLE G. WHEELER FROM RUFUS TAYLOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001600120006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 4, 1963
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved FooRelease 20,03105/06: CIA RDP80B016?fflW1600120
Dear General Wheeler,
Mr. Helms regrets that he will not be able
to accept your invitation of I8 December 1967
to participate In EPSILON I-68.
Is accordance with your suggestion, be has
asked me to represent CIA in the war game.
With warmest personal regards,
Sincerely,
Rufus Taylor
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
General Earle C. Wheeler
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Department of Defense
Washington, D. C.
Originated: EA /DDCi;mfb
Distribution;
Orig - Addressee
icc - DDP/Planning Support Staff
icc - DDCI
lcc - ER
lcc - EA / DCI
IN 4 1 rS6HA
JCS review(s)
completed.
Approved For Release 2003/05/06 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001600120006-8
 Approved Fog ,Release 2003/05/06: CIA-RDP80B01 R00160
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Politico-Military Division, JCS
SUBJECT: CIA Participants in EPSILON 1-68
1. Confirming telephone conversation with
Commander Joseph W. Benn on January 1968, the following Agency
members have been designated as players in EPSILON 1-68:
- US Departmental Level (BLUE)
- Warsaw Pact (RED)
- Control Group.
2. All players now have, or will have, the Top Secret - COSMIC
security clearances in time for the game.
S. The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, Vice Admiral
Rufus L. Taylor, has given notice of his participation on the US
National Command Authority Team by separate memorandum.
FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PLANS:
25X1
cc: Ex. Asst/DDCI
1 S~ !1! Vif ~e8
Approved For Release 2003/05/06 0-1 CIA-RDP80B01676R00160 006- '1--=L_ --
 Approv -Fw eleF~ ase 2003/05/06: CIA-RDP80BO1676R0016
December 28, 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: JCS Political-Military Game, EPSILON 1-68
1. Since the receipt of General Wheeler's letter of December
18th other Senior officials who have indicated their intention to
participate in EPSILON 1-68 are Ambassador Parker T. Hart (Turkey),
General Burchinal, General Preston, Admiral McCain and Vice Admiral
Lee.
2. Action level teams meeting at Wiesbaden on 22, 24 and 26
January 1968 will be designated as follow:
a. NATO POLITICAL: Composed of political-military
officers from the U. S. Embassies in France, Great Britain,
Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey and the U. S. Mission to NATO.
This team will consider problem situations from three viewpoints:
(1) as an International Organization; (2) as individual foreign
governments; (3) as the representatives of the U. S. Government
stationed in various foreign countries.
b. NATO MILITARY: Composed of military officers from
the U, S. Military Committee, NATO, SHAPE, SACEUR, AFCENT,
AFSOUTH, USAREUR, USAFE and USNAVEUR. This team will
consider problem situations from two viewpoints: (1) as an Inter-
national Military Force; (2) as U. S. Military Forces stationed
abroad.
3. Telephone conferences will be conducted at 1200 Washington time
(1800 Wiesbaden time) on 22, 24 and 26 January between the BLUE Action
Team (National Command Authorities) at Washington and the two Action
Teams at Wiesbaden. Data obtained from Europe will be reflected in
the BLUE Team briefing of the Senior NCA Team on the same date, from
1630.1800.
Approved For Release 2003/05/06 :CIA-RDP80B01676R001660'f20006-6, f
 rove FFor Release 2003/05/06 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001600120006-8
4: Wiesbaden Action Teams will TWX decisions and supporting
data to the Control Team in Washington at the conclusion of each game
session.
5. The Control Team will TWX scenario projections to the Wiesbaden
Action Teams at the conclusion of each Control Team meeting.
CIA Mason officer fo Political-
Military Games
cc: Ex. Asst/DDCI
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/06 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001600120006-8
 Approved Four Release 2003/05/06 CIA-RDP80B86R001600120006-8
ER 67-5925/a
26 December 1967
further on this point.
We will nomtnatc. action-level and Control players to
the EPSILON IsrojoctbIflcer.
With warmest personal regards,
present CIA as you have suggested. We will advise you
Dear General Wheeler,
This is an interim response to your invitation of
13 December 1967 to Mr. Helms concerning EPSILON 1-6-3.
As Dick is currently out of the city. I am not able to indicate
whether he will be able to participate. Should he not be
available and subject to his concurrence, I will be happy to
Sincerely,
Rufus Taylor
View A dr _lra1, U. S. Navy
25)1
General Earle G. Wheeler's
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Department of Defense D`C S~ Q 02,0
Washington, D. C.
Orig: I IL'H/LLl~1:" -l -
Distribution:
Q & 1 - Addressee
~6~~2~~i~6-17k'#366(~1600120006-8
- DCIwith basic a.. ._, ER*/cybasic
lcc EA/DDCI w/cy basic
 SECRET - NOFORN
Approved fprpelease 2 6 : C - P X00160012
THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
18 December 1967
The next interagency, politico-military game is EPSILON 1-68.
It will address problems associated with NATO's transition from
peace to war, with primary focus on the Southeastern flank. This
approach was proposed with a view to examining command, control
and coordination relationships within the Alliance, as well as US
national channels. The game will be conducted concurrently in
Washington and Wiesbaden, Germany. Ambassadors Bohlen, Bruce,
Cleveland, McGhee, Reinhardt and Talbot; General Lemnitzer and
Admiral Ward; and other senior personnel have indicated they will
attend the final move and critique in Wiesbaden.
This game will depart from the usual format for these exercises
in that the Blue or US team, meeting in the Pentagon, will com-
municate during its meetings with individuals in the role of key US
personnel in the NATO Council, US Embassies, US component
commands and the NATO military structure. The game should
point up some of the very real problems of coordinating policy and
strategy under crisis conditions, especially with respect to the
deployment and possible employment of nuclear demolition muni-
tions. This "US-only, " politico-military game is expected to deal
more realistically with certain key political considerations than
would be possible in the HIGH HEELS or FALLEX type of exercise.
Ambassador Cleveland is considering the possibility of conducting
a similar politico-military game in the future, with Allied par-
ticipation, as part of NATO nuclear planning and consultative
procedures.
EPSILON 1-68 has been structured with a view to having interested
members of the Senior Interdepartmental Group or their repre-
sentatives participate as the US National Command Authority team,
meeting from 1630 to ]Fi00-hal:V on Monday, 22; Wednesday, 24;
12 TUR
Approved For Snff/Ofi-1676 Oq DDWA*@MACJtl:L1
DECLASSIFIED, D0D 0 5200.1
f .... wmw~
0
 Approved or elea :rCI - 001600120006-8
and Friday, 26 January. Two final critiques will be conducted:
one for senior participants in Europe on Sunday, 28 January, and
another for senior participants in Washington on Thursday,
1 February 1968.
You are cordially invited to participate but, in the event you are
unable to do so, it is hoped that you will designate Vice Admiral
Rufus L. Taylor as the senior Central Intelligence Agency
representative.
In addition to your own participation, I hope you will provide
your usual fine complement of key people to serve on action-level
teams and Control. The desired number of participants is indicated
in the administrative enclosure which also contains detailed infor-
mation regarding the game for use by your agency point of contact.
The Joint War Games Agency is prepared, at your convenience,
to brief you in detail on the purposes and scope of EPSILON 1-68.
If you desire further information, please contact Colonel Thomas J.
McDonald, USA, Chief, Politico-Military Division, JWGA
(OXford 5-3715 or 5-3705).
Sincerely,
Enclosure
a/s
EARLE G. WHEELER
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Honorable Richard M. Helms
Director, Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C. 20505
401
Approved For Re RET/06 :
 Q
Approved elease Q_O &406GAQ- RDP O46 8001600120006-8
15 December 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR AGENCY OFFICIAL COORDINATING EPSILON 1-68
Subject: Game Requirements (U)
1. (S-NF) GENERAL. EPSILON 1-68 is a senior-level, interagency,
politico-military game to be conducted in the Pentagon and in Head-
quarters USAFE, Wiesbaden, Germany during the period 19 and
28 January 1968. Final Critiques will be held in Wiesbaden on
28 January, for US European participants and in Washington on
1 February, for local participants.
a. The game will address a hypothetical crisis situation on the
Southeastern NATO flank in which deployment and, possibly,: employ-
ment of atomic demolition munitions may come into play. It should
provide a dynamic setting, encompassing political, military, economic
and psychological considerations involved in the complex situation
facing the United States in Europe today.
b.. This memorandum contains administrative planning informa-
tion for Washington participants. Pre-game briefings for action-level
players and Control members will be conducted on Friday, 19 January
1968. US European participants will be briefed in Wiesbaden on
Sunday, 21 January 1968.
c. A Fact Book, containing specific administrative details
and other relevant information, will be distributed to participants
prior to the game.
2. (U) PLAYER NOMINATIONS. Addressees are requested to
submit the names of Washington participant nominees to the
EPSILON Project Officer, Commander Joseph W. Benn, USN, by
telephone prior to 10 January 1968 (OXford 7-9860 or 7-9892).
Approved For R ,60,ge 1006 51 AB Yt A,R 18~B 1676R00160
AT 12 Twti1
; L B; SOT ' iTICI??T
 ~:~4. iwa ~3 tit;' ut
Approve or elease 2003/05/06 CIA-RDP80B 44 R001600120006-8
a. The number of participants for senior-level teams is
outlined in Attachment #1. In the event individuals suggested are
unable to attend, alternate nominations would be appreciated.
b. The number of participants for action-level teams and
the Control element is outlined in Attachment ##2. These players
should be nominated from the rank of Lt Colonel/Commander to
Major General/Rear Admiral (or civilian equivalent) who are highly
knowledgeable of the problem area involved. Rank is secondary to
expert knowledge.
3. (S-NF) SCHEDULE. Teams will meet according to the
following schedule in locations indicated:
a. Action-level player's (Washington).
(1) Pre-game briefings will be conducted in Room BC-942A,
the Pentagon, on 19 January as follows:
(a) Blue (National Command Authority Team)
0930-1030 hours.
(b) Red (Warsaw Pact Team) 1100-1200 hours.
(2) 1030-1900 hours, 22, 24 and 26 January, Room
BC-942A, the Pentagon, for team deliberations.
(3) 1030-1200 hours, 1 February, Room 5C-1040, the
Pentagon, for action-level critique.
(4) 1400-1530 hours, 1 February, Room 5C-1040, the
Pentagon, for senior-level critique.
b. Senior -levelMayers (Washington).
(1) 1630-1800 hours, 22, 24 and 26 January, Room
BC-942A, for team deliberations. Guides will be available at
the Pentagon River Entrance.
(2) 1400-1530 hours, 1 February, Room 5C-1040, the
Pentagon, for senior-level critique. Guides will be available at
the Pentagon River Entrance.
' O i
Approved For Relea~/5 ZCI-};80B61676R001600120006-8
 ApprovedJ? ,iRelease 2003/05/06: CIA-RDP809,6 R001600120006-8
c. Control players (Washington).
(1) 1300-1400 hours, 19 January, Room BC-942A, the
Pentagon, for pre-game briefing.
(2) 0900-1600 hours, 23, 25 and 27 January, Room
BC-942A, the Pentagon,for Control meetings.
(3) 1030-1200 hours, 1 February, Room 5C-1040, the
Pentagon, for action-level critique.
(4) 1400-1530 hours, 1 February, Room 5C-1040, the
Pentagon, for senior-level critique.
4. (U) PRE-GAME RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION. The
EPSILON Project Officer has or will contact your office during the
next month to obtain:
a. Suggestions on persons to be interviewed.
b. Suggestions for reading -- studies, intelligence documents,
reports, plans (both official and unofficial), books, magazines, and
other pertinent source material.
c. Ideas for introduction into the initial scenario or for
Control use during the game, to enhance the interest level and overall
value of the exercise.
5. (U) SECURITY.
a. The title of the game, EPSILON 1-68, is UNCLASSIFIED
when mentioned without geographic or subject reference. Discussion
on the area/scope or content of the game is classified SECRET-NOFORN.
b. Game deliberations will be conducted on a TOP SECRET-
COSMIC level.
c. Addressees are requested to certify in writing as to
TOP SECRET-COSMIC security clearances of Washington partici-
pants. Forward to reach the EPSILON Project Officer not later
than 15 January 1968.
Attachments
a/s
Approved For Rd
O /06 GI ; ~.8( 16768001600120006-8
All
 Approvec.F,R' 0'5 5/06: A-RDP80FCW R001600120006-8
EPSILON 1-68
SENIOR-LEVEL NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY TEAM
AGENCY
NUMBER
SUGGESTED SENIORS
White I-louse
1
or
Honorable Walt W. Rostow
Mr. Edward R. Fried
State
2
or
or
or
Honorable Nicholas deB. Katzenbach
Honorable Eugene V. Rostow
Ambassador Foy D. Kohler
Ambassador Charles E. Bohlen
Mr. John M. Leddy
Treasury
1
Honorable Joseph W. Barr
CIA
1
or
Honorable Richard M. Helens
Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor
USIA
1
or
or
Honorable Leonard H. Marks
Honorable Paul H. Nitze
Honorable Alain C. Enthoven
Honorable Paul C. Warnke
Mr. Frederick S. Wyle
General Earle G. Wheeler
Vice Admiral Nels C. Johnson
Approved For I al Q9 111
05/06 - ~RUFO, P' 01676R001600120006-8
a , , Attachment 7
 Approved%Eo ,Release 2003 a1g ;(g*- @80Bft6a8R001600120006-8
ACTION TEAMS AND CONTROL
PARTICIPATING NATIONAL COMMAND WARSAW PACT CONTROL
AGENCY AUTHORITY -- BLUE 'RED GROUP
WHITE HOUSE
STATE
CIA
1
2
1 1
OSD 1
OSD (ISA) 1 1 1
JCS (CSG) 1
JCS (J-3) 1 1
JCS (J-5) 1 1
JCS (JCCRG)
DIA 1 1
WSEG
ARMY 1
NAVY 1
AIR FORCE 1
MARINE CORPS 1
USNATO
USEUCOM
USNMR SHAPE
CONSULTANTS
JWGA 1 1
TOTAL
Approved For Relea
12 11 11
CI4R (8Oj67" R001600120006-8
Attachment 2
 UNCLASSI Fj EDrr~.,nr1 Er r RINTERNAL 8~I nn~fn~fna ? rln_Rnps4 a lr , 'k Annna_s8 ? SECRET
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
,FROM: Jr
MPS/PSG
EXTENSION
NO.
2C32
DATE 28 Dec 1967
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DA
TE
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
RECEIVED
FORWA ED
INITIALS
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
Ex. Asst. /DDCI
tj.
3
25
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
FORM 610 USEDIITIONS s ^ SECRET E] CONFIDENTIAL ^ INTERNAL F-1 UNCLASSIFIED
3-62
 I - Aikirl Areicim r INTERNAL
ENTIAL_____ ? SECRET
' I SHEET
ROUTING AND RECORD
SUBJECT: (Optional)
FROM:
MPS/PSG
EXTENSION
NO.
Room 2C32
DATE
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
ildi
b
DATE
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
t
)
h
f
u
ng)
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
INITIALS
.
commen
ter eac
to whom. Draw a line across column a
Ex. Asst/DDCI
Room 7D5615
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
AR "9101A
FORM 61 O USEDITIREV O S 0
3-62 SECRET ^ CONFIDENTIAL ^ USE ONLY ^ UNCLASSIFIED