HAIPHONG OPERATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2012
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: April 12, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
MEMORANDUM
THE. WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO,-, r+'Y.- C T 1SENSIT VE
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECT: Haiphong Operation
April 12, 1969
Attached is a modified version of the Haiphong mining.feint operation
which has been cleared for feasibility with the Navy and with General
Wheeler. Before discus sing. this personally with Mel Laird this
morning, I wanted you to see it in its final form. I intend to seek
Mel's agreement to proceed with it commencing today. Step Four
operations would not be initiated until they are processed through
the Joint Chiefs since the movement of unified forces would be
involved.
TOP ~.ECR.ET/6ENSITIVE attachment
.TOP SECR ET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
 TOP SECRET
PLAN FOR A MINING FEINT OF HAIPHONG HARBOR
s- No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
.Objective: To create indecision within the Government of North
Vietnam with regard to intended U. S. military actions, specifically
as they relate to the mining of Haiphong harbor.
General Cover Story: U. S. Navy conducting a Pacific-wide test of
its'mining plans, including logistic procedures, training, mine -
readiness and reaction times. The exercise includes movement of
mines from storage areas to ships operating in the South China Sea.
Assumption: That increased U. S. military activity in certain specific
areas of preparedness will come to the attention of the Hanoi government
through the communist intelligence and espionage systems.
General Concept: To undertake a series of military actions which
separately or collectively create the impression that the U. S. is making
plans for or giving carisiderationta the mining of Haiphong. Each action
will:
a. be deniable, both' publicly and within the U. S. government.
b., have a suitable cover story which would permit denial of any
actual mining plan in the event of unintentional public disclosure,
c. be relatively low key when taken alone.
.d. be credible in both near and far term.
Sequence: The following sequential actions provide a scenario of events
designed to transmit signals to the North Vietnamese government. These
actions provide an increasing order of activity. The earlier steps are
more deniable both publicly and within the U. S. government as being
part of any master mining plan. The supplementary actions at the higher
end of the spectrum have both an increased threat potential and are less
deniable as a function of time:
TOP SECRET
COP SE-Ca." 4ZT6JC1 T 111
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
Step One
Pacific Fleet (normal information addressees), to:
Sat a. confirm actual on-board inventory and location of
12 Apr
Pacific Command mine assets. (Message could be
transmitted UNCLASSIFIED, then upgraded next day
to SECRET in order to focus attention.)
Sun b. report material condition of mines and estimated
13 Apr manhours necessary to bring to operational readiness..
Mon c. verify quantity of MK-36 destructor mines on-board
14 Apr deployed carriers.
Mon d. report state of mining readiness of embarked aircraft
14 Apr squadrons.
Mon 2. Direct Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, to make ready
14. Apr 50 MK-52 mines, 50 MK-50 mines, and 50 MK-55 mines,
and hold in high state of readiness at Subic.
Wed 3. Airlift fifty MK-52 mines each from Yokosuka, Atsugi,
16 Apr Iwakuni, and Naha to the Naval Ammunition Depot, Subic
Bay, Philippines.
Thurs 4. Airlift all available MK-52 training-configured, inert mines
.17-Apr from locations in Western Pacific to Naval Air Station, Cubi
Point, Philippines for pilot/crew training and indoctrination.
Step. Two
Sat 1. Airlift mines and mine personnel from Cubi Point to attack
.1.9 Apr carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Sun 2. Load ammunition ship in Subic Bay with replenishment mines,
20 Apr
stevedores.)
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
CNO transmit message inquiries to Commander in Chief,
and sail to Tonkin Gulf. (This ensures exposure to local
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8
w
TOP SECRET
Mon 3. Load attack carrier in Subic Bay with mines.
21 Apr
Step Three --
Tues 1. Conduct mine plant exercises from Naval Air Station,
22 Apr Cubi Point, for carrier air wing personnel.
Tues 2. Provide suitable number U. S. Marine Corps A-6 pilots
22 Apr temporary additional duty from Danang to Naval Air Station,
Cubi, for mine qualification.
Fri 3. Move 1, 000 mines from Yokosuka to Subic by ship.
25 Apr
Step Four -- Supplementary actions for further study and consideration;
dates to be determined.
1. Move North SAR (Sea Air Rescue) and PIRAZ (Positive Indent
Radar Advisory Zone) ships from present southern positions
to pre-bombing halt stations. Provide suitable escort,
CAP (Combat Air Patrol), etc. `
2. Increase. recoxinaissance over coastal approaches to Haiphong.
3. Initiate continuous and intensive surveillance" of sea approaches
to Haiphong with P-3 and ASW (antisubmarine warfare) aircraft.
4. Drop empty mine drogue parachutes in area of ostensible mine-
field off approaches to Haiphong. (Time permitting, soluble
mine shapes could be manufactured.)
5. Position squadrons of destroyers in area 20 miles off Haiphong
to simulate threat of blockade.
6. Load and sail submarine from Subic with mines.
8. Initiate low-key procurement discussions with U. S. mine
7. Replenish or increase West Pacific mine stocks from U. S. depots.
manufacturers.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/06/27: LOC-HAK-510-1-23-8