SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED ACTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00789R002900010001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: REPORT

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SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED ACTION
STAR GATE
SG1A
REQUEST: The DCI.is requested to construct a retrospective review and
technical analysis of the data that has been produced by the program since its
inception 20 years ago. This includes an inventory and analysis of the files
held in the CIA, while it administered the program,as well as in DIA. The
study should also address compliance with Congressional direction. (C)
Response: The data for this retrospective review, technical analysis, and
compliance with Congressional direction have been retrieved from current DIA
activity files. CIA will conduct its own program review. DIA is not the home
of record for results obtained by DoD Service organizations regarding this
phenomena during the 1970s. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
During the period between 1975 and 1979, the following DoD Service elements
supported psi research:
-- The U.S. Navy program was to evaluate an individual's ability to
perceive remote visual stimuli. This effort was to answer the question
whether the phenomena exist. No additional information is on file regarding
the Navy program.
-- The U.S. Air Force National Air Intelligence Center, formerly the
Foreign Technology Division (FTD), initiated its program by asking whether the
phenomena existed and whether it could be used to collect intelligence. The
analysis revealed that further research was required before remote viewing
(RV) could become an effective tool. As a result, FTD began to explore areas
that would have a direct bearing on improving the application of RV to include
the effects of feedback and effectiveness over distance. In addition, FTD
focused on the former Soviet Union and initiated attempts to replicate foreign
experiments. No further information is on file about the FTD work in this
arena.
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-- The U.S. Army's Missile Research and Development Command (MIRADCOM)
had Stanford Research Institute (SRI) under contract from August 1977 to 1978.
The work was done under the sponsorship of the Missile Intelligence Agency
(MIA). The objective of the MIA program was to determine whether selected
individuals could interact and influence, by mental means only, sensitive
electronic equipment. The extension of MIA's effort was related to the
general question concerning the existence of the phenomena. Under the
division of labor in the Army GRILL FLAME project, MIRADCOM had responsibility
for developing a Remote Perturbation experimental program. The project was to
have been conducted in two phases.
-- From May 1979 to September 1979, SRI assisted MIRADCOM in developing
sensitive measurement equipment for the experiment. Phase II was to be
another contract with SRI, possibly involving human test subjects.
-- The MIA portion was to be passed to another MIRADCOM element (the
Missile R&D Laboratory).
No further information is on file regarding MIRADCOM's efforts in this arena.
(S/NOFORN)
The Army Material Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) extended the applications-
oriented research lines begun by other organizations. Its interest was RV,
and it sought immediate applications of the phenomena by targeting SRI viewers
on daily field exercises. In September 1978, AMSAA contracted with SRI to do
a number of tactically oriented RV tasks. In 1979, AMSAA extended the
contract with SRI to April 1980. No further information is on file.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
During this same period of time, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security
Command (USAINSCOM) was also asked whether RV could be used to collect
intelligence data. As a result, USAINSCOM established an in-house unit to
collect intelligence information in response to customer requirements. The
USAINSCOM personnel that were assigned to the unit received initial RV
training at SRI. In addition, USAINSCOM financed research efforts that were
closely linked to its applications and operational mission. End-of-year funds
were to have been requested in FY 1980. Additional Army HUMINT program funds
were to have been included for Project GRILL FLAME for FY 1981.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
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The following funding summary for the U.S. Army portion of the program was
extracted from Project GRILL FLAME documentation.
Year
Sponsor
Funding
Purpose
(Dollars in Thousands)
CY 1977-78
MIA
$80 Program VI
Psychokinesis (PK)
CY 1978
AMSAA
$220 Program VI
Remote Viewing (RV)
CY 1979
MIA
$118 Program VI
Psychokinesis
CY 1978-80
USAINSCOM
$75 Program III
Remote Viewing
CY 1979-80
MIRADCOM
$90 Program VI
Psychokinesis
CY 1979-80
MIRADCOM
$190 Program VI
Unknown
CY 1979-80
INSCOM
$25 Program III
Operations
FY 1981
DA Staff/
$150 Program III
Remote Viewing
USAINSCOM
FY 1981
DARCOM
$700 Program VI
Remote Viewing
Psychokinesis
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
During the period that DoD Service organizations were involved, DIA also
pursued some aspects of psychoenergetics. Its activities were restricted,
however, to aspects clearly related to threat assessment and intelligence data
collection. DIA contracted research with SRI to train individuals to do RV
and supported attempts by experienced remote viewers to collect intelligence
on former Soviet sites of operational interest. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
The joint program between DIA and USAINSCOM began in FY 1981. Although it may
appear that DIA and INSCOM research lines diverge, both organizations were
following their respective missions and both expanded the already identified
research. lines. A chronology is as follows:
-- In FY 1981, the DIA program looked at ways to improve the reliability
of RV data, assessed foreign research, began work on countermeasures, and
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explored methods to input RV data into a computer for storage and
manipulation. Additionally, efforts were begun to develop a comprehensive
training program for RV. USAINSCOM, on the other hand, was looking for ways
to improve the quality of data from its in-house capability, researched audio
analysis, and means of targeting remote viewers.
-- The FY 1982 research was primarily an extension of the tasks begun in
the. previous year. One new area was initiated, however, involving one of the
most difficult problems in RV research--how to evaluate RV-derived data.
Although evaluation of RV data had been investigated for many years, this was
the first identification of evaluation as a separate and special task.
-- All but one of the areas researched during FY 1983 were follow-on
efforts to the FY 1982 work. The one new task was an attempt to develop a
search methodology for finding lost items or people. This was clearly an
effort to improve the intelligence application of RV.
-- The follow-on program covering FY 1984 and 1985 filled the gap
between the end of the Joint Service Program and the U.S. Army 5-year program.
The lines of research were extensions of work in the past fiscal year and
focused on research needed to enhance RV to the point where it could be
applied to intelligence problems. Training, evaluation, and search were
emphasized. An additional effort concentrated on screening and selection of
personnel. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
In January 1985, Project GRILL FLAME was transferred to DIA and was placed
under the staff cognizance of the former Directorate for Scientific and
Technical Intelligence. Moreover, a 5-year psychoenergetics program
(FY 1986-1990), using Army medical research and development funds authorized
by the then U.S. Army Surgeon General, was begun at SRI. The new program
emphasized the medical and biological aspects of psychoenergetic phenomena.
The stated objectives were to document that psychoenergetic phenomena are real
and reproducible, to determine the underlying mechanisms, and to bring
psychoenergetics research into the mainstream of human performance research.
To accomplish these objectives, SRI began work to identify explanatory
neurophysiological mechanisms and specify phenomenological properties. In
addition, the Army medical program sought to determine physical,
physiological, and psychological correlates of RV and to develop optimal
application strategies. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
The FY 1991 Congressional language directed DIA to initiate a new program in
anomalous mental phenomena (AMP). As a result, Project SUNSTREAK, former
codeword for this project, was renamed Project STAR GATE and restructured as
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a LIMDIS program vice its former SAP categorization. The program objectives
and accomplishments are as follows:.
-- Funding of $2 million received and obligated ($1.5 million R&D, $0.5
million 0&M). Sole source R&D contract ($1.5 million) with the Cognitive
Science Laboratory (CSL), Science Applications International Corporation
(SAIC) on line by July 1991.
-- Objectives included formulating a long-range. comprehensive plan,
developing an integrated foreign data base, publishing foreign assessments,
developing proper documentation, and obtaining external assistance.
-- Project STAR GATE established on 31 January 1991.
-- Published Foreign Assessments, Long-Range Comprehensive Plan by
30 May 1991.
-- Published or documented all other project requirements by June 1991.
-- Emphasized foreign data base development; initiated select basic
research/application research projects.
-- Magnetoencephalograph (MEG) brain-wave measurement work at Los Alamos
National Laboratory (LANL). Analysis of results was reported to be
inconclusive.
-- Planning completed for a new significant research project scheduled
for 30 March 1992 that may isolate transmission mechanisms.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
The FY 1992 Congressional Authorization directed that the following be
accomplished:
-- DIA realign 10 civilian billets. Realignment completed and Project
STAR GATE personnel placed in civilian billets.
-- Prepare a 2-year architecture report within 120 days and provide it
to the Committees on Appropriations. The report, Project Architecture,
ODT-S-1042-SL, 30 March 1992, was delivered to the Committees.
-- Operational users should be identified in DoD and the Intelligence
Community.... and that a tasking relationship be developed with the Department
of Defense Special Operations Command. The "Project Architecture" report
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identified, over 12 users to include USSOCOM, USCENTCOM, and Joint Interagency
Task Forces East (formerly JTF-4) and West (formerly JTF-5), and JTF-6.
Projects also initiated with DIA analytical elements.
SG1 B
SG1 B
-- An even balance between foreign assessments operational activities
and research.... such that the three areas are related to and enhance each
other. The "Project Architecture" report developed approaches that were
implemented for achieving this program balance.
-- An additional Congressional plus up of $2 million dedicated for R&D.
The contract was with the Cognitive Sciences Laboratory (CSL), SAIC. The
focus of the research effort was to develop an integrated 5-year research
plan, provide research support for applications development, and conduct basic
research leading to an understanding of the mechanisms for AMP.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
The FY 1993 Congressional direction authorized $0.6 million for STAR GATE and
directed the DIA Director to determine the feasibility of transferring the
project to the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC), Fort Detrick,
Maryland. The study was undertaken and a decision was made to retain the
project at Fort Meade. Major accomplishments included:
-- All research initiated by the $2 million funding received in FY 1991
completed. Major findings related to factors important in target/task
selection, data enhancement methods, and exploring select application areas.
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-- R&D funding ($2 million) received in FY 1992 put on-line and most of
the research/support objectives initiated. An additional $131 thousand of R&D
funding. was programmed for the remainder of FY 1993. Emphasis placed on
psychophysical correlates, potential mechanisms, improved analysis methods,
foreign data base* development, and expanded foreign assessment support.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
The FY 1994 Congressional language requested that the Director of DIA prepare
a program plan and submit an appropriate budget request for a research effort,
over several years, to determine whether the STAR GATE program can show
results that are cost-effective and that satisfy reasonable performance
criteria. The plan and any research under this program was to be subject to
peer review by neutral scientific experts. The Director of DIA was also
directed to prepare the research and peer review plan within existing program
funds.
-- Project STAR GATE Research and Peer Review Plan, PAG-TA-1068-SL, was
published in June 1994. With the receipt of FY 1995 Congressional language,
the plan initiatives were not completed along with other DIA unfunded
production requirements.
-- SAIC R&D program funds expired in May 1994. SAIC was put on two "no-
cost-to-the-government" extensions with final expiration of the contract on
31 December 1994.
-- Customer base expanded through visits to USSOCOM, USCENTCOM, Joint
Interagency Task Force-East, JTF-6, El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), and
with in-house DIA elements.
-- Intelligence requirements in support of the Foreign Assessment
Program were briefed to key CONUS-based interagency and DoD collection
elements.
-- Forty five SRI/SAIC contract-generated R&D project reports were
approved by DIA for declassification. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
Since FY 1980, the manpower structure devoted to Project STAR GATE remained
constant (10 billets). During the same period 0&M and R&D dollars fluctuated.
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SG1A
The funding summary, extracted from DIA documentation, is as follows:
FY Year
Other (O&M/R&D)
($ in thousands)
Remarks
1980
450
None
1981
250
None
1982
175
None
1983
750
None
1984
1,300
None
1985
--
1986
1,900
Army Surgeon general
1987
2,300
Army Surgeon General
1988
1,150
Army Surgeon General
1989
1,000
Army Surgeon General
1990
--
1991
2,000
Congress +up
1992
2,000
Congress +up
1993
600
DIA
1994
500
DIA
1995
650
DIA
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
The technical analysis presented below is drawn from SAIC supplied data. SAIC
drew three primary conclusions from the overall efforts of the external
Cognitive Science Program R&D effort with SRI and SAIC for the period 1973 to
present:
-- The evidence for a valid information transfer anomaly (anomalous
cognition (AC)) meets all recognized statistical and methodological criteria.
This means the anomaly cannot be explained by poor experimental design,
incorrect protocols, faulty analyses, or fraud. The magnitude of this anomaly
is considered to be medium-to-large when compared to other known human
behaviors.
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SAIC-supplied data shows that the applied research focus for the period 1973
to present was as follows:
-- Regardless of the final use of any research (applications or academic
understanding), the problems are similar. To improve the quality of the
results, it is necessary to:
- Identify individuals (called_ receivers) who possess skill in AC.
- Develop training methodologies to improve AC performance.
- Create protocols that are optimized to elicit AC.
- Invent sensitive and efficient analyses of AC data.
(S/NOFORN/SG/LIMDIS)
These topics and their supporting activity (e.g., data base construction) are
included in what is defined as applied research. (S/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
A summary of applied basic research results for these four topic areas are as
follows:
-- Approximately 1 percent of the general population appears to meet
strict statistical criteria for exhibiting a robust AC ability.
-- While a number of training methodologies have been developed, CSL
observed only limited success. However, in analyzing the results of a number
of receivers, they found that these receivers do not lose whatever ability
they had at the start.
-- Without completely understanding the mechanisms involved, CSL
developed a number of research and operational protocols that appeared to be
consistently successful in both domains. (S/NOFORN/SG/LIMDIS)
SRI/SAIC's basic research focus for the period 1973 to present was to develop
an understanding of the physical, physiological, and psychological mechanisms
of AC by:
-- Identifying its source. That is, what is the "stuff" that is sensed
with AC in analogy to photons in vision?
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.-- Understanding the energy-transfer mechanism. That is, how does
information propagate from point A to point B?
-- Locating the "sensory" apparatus within the body. That is, what are
the biological transducers, and how is the information from those transducers
processed by the central nervous system? (S/NOFORN/SG/LIMDIS)
These items are defined as basic. research, The research by CSL has been based
on a transmitter-receiver model as an underlying assumption.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL/SG/LIMDIS)
SAIC's summary of the results of basic research for these three topics
includes:
-- During the CYs 1992-1994, CSL may have discovered the source of an AC
signal. CSL found that the strength of the AC signal appears to be
proportional to the total amount of "pure" information that is available at
the target site. From information theory, this is technically called the
total change of entropy. If this result can be confirmed by ongoing research,
target selection could be considerably enhanced. For example, we will know
what target types will yield information from this brand of "sensor." In
addition, this could provide a method of selecting potential viewers. If the
information of a particular target remains constant, then it could be possible
to correlate differences in the quality of data from various viewers with
inherent talent.
-- CSL identified a number of speculative theoretical approaches that
could provide a transmission mechanism for a variety of AC signals, including
the total change of entropy. Detailed models are difficult at this stage
because AC, while statistically robust and behaviorally large, is "unreliable"
in comparison to other physical systems. However, they developed one
heuristic model, Decision Augmentation Theory, that organizes a 20-year data
base for a specific class of experiments.
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REOUEST: The DCI's declassification committee should review the history and
nature of this program to determine what parts of it may be declassified and
be converted into an open-world activity. (U)
RESPONSE: In March 1994, and prior to the receipt of Congressional language
to review program documents for declassification, the DIA's Technology
Assessment and Support Activity in concert with the SAIC's CSL initiated a
review of SRI-originated R&D reports covering the period 1973 through 1989.
As a result of that review, 45 SRI-originated project documents were reviewed
and all references regarding DoD involvement were excised and the documents
declassified. DIA's General Counsel and Public Affairs Office concurred with
the declassification action in September 1994. This DIA initiative should
establish the precedent for the DCI's declassification committee to continue
this effort once the program is officially transferred to CIA. (S/NOFORN)
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