LETTER TO THE HONORABLE ALLEN W. DULLES FROM ROSWELL L. GILPATRIC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00803R000100150070-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2004
• Sequence Number: 70
• Publication Date: September 6, 1961
• Content Type: LETTER

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Special Handling.
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THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Washington, D. C.
The Honorable Allen W. Dulles
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D. C.
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Re: Management of the National Reconnaissance Program
Dear Mr. Dulles:
This letter confirms our agreement with respect to the setting up
of a National Reconnaissance Program (NRP), and the arrangements. for
dealing both with the management and operation of this program and the
handling of the intelligence product of the program on a covert basis.
1. The NRP will consist of all satellite and overflight recon-
naissance projects whether overt or covert. It will include all photo-
graphic projects for intelligence, geodesy and mapping purposes, and
electronic signal collection projects for electronic signal intelligence
and communications intelligence resulting therefrom.
J
2. There will be established on a covert.basis a National Recon-
naissance Office to manage this program. This office will be under the
direction of the Under Secretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Director
(Plans) of the Central Intelligence Agency acting jointly. It will include
a small special s.taff whose personnel will be drawn from the Department
of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency. This office will have
direct control over all elements of the total program.
area.
3. Decisions of the National Reconnaissance Office will be-imple-
mented and its management of the National Reconnaissance Program
made effective: within the Department of Defense, by the exercise of
the authority delegated to the Under Secretary of the Air Force; within
the Central Intelligence Agency, by the Deputy Director (Plans) in the
performance of his presently assigned duties. The Under Secretary of
the Air Force will be. designated Special Assistant for Reconnaissance
,to the-Secretary of Defense and delegated full authority by me in this
QSD Review Completed
NRO review(s) completed.
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4. Within the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air
Force will,be the operational agency for management and conduct of
the NRP, and will conduct this program through use of streamlined
special management procedures involving direct control from the
office of the Secretary of the Air Force to Reconnaissance System
Project Directors in the field, without intervening reviews or approv-
als. The management and conduct of individual projects or-elements
thereof requiring special covert arrangements may be assigned to the
Central Intelligence Agency as the operational agency.
/ 5. A Technical Advisory Group for the National Reconnaissance
Office will be established.
6. A uniform security control. system will be established for the
total program by the National Reconnaissance Office. Products from
the various programs will be available to all users as designated by
the United States Intelligence Board.
7. The National Reconnaissance Office will be directly responsive
to, and only to, the photographic and electronic signal collection re-
quirements and priorities as established by the United States Intelli-
gence Board.
8. The National Reconnaissance Office will develop suitable cover
plans and public information plans, in conjunction with the Assistant
Secretary of Defense, Public Affairs, to reduce potential political vul.-
nerability of these programs. In regard to satellite systems, it will be
necessary to apply the revised public information policy to other non-
sensitive satellite projects in order to insure maximum protection.
9. The Directors of the National Reconnaissance Office will
establish detailed working procedures to insure that the particular
talents, experience and capabilities within the Department of Defense
and the Central Intelligence Agency are fully and most effectively
utilized in this program.
10. Management control of the field operations of various elements
of the program will be exercised directly, in the case of the Department of
Defense, from the Under Secretary of the Air Force to the designated project
officers for each program.and, in the case of the Central Intelligence Agency
from the Deputy Director (Plans) to appropriate elements of the Central
T 0 P S E C R E T
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Intelligence Agency. Major program elements and operations of the
National Reconnaissance Office will be reviewed on a regular basis
and as special circumstances require by the Special Group under
NSC 5412.
If the foregoing is in accord with your. understanding of our
agreement, I would appreciate it if you would kindly sign and return
the enclosed copy of this letter.
I Atch:
Chart "Single Mgmt for
National Reconnaissance
(Signed)
Roswell L. Gilpatric
,Deputy Secretary of Defense
Programs" (TS)
CONCUR:
(Signed) C. P. Cabell
General, USAF
Acting Director, Central Intelligence Agency
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