AQUATONE PLANS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62B00844R000200070215-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 16, 2002
• Sequence Number: 215
• Publication Date: April 2, 1957
• Content Type: MEMO

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.nd how. Lo ng further ahead there are decisions to be made about the
t AQUATONE Pans
The purpose of this memorandum is to remind you of the major
O NDUM rolls Director of Central Intelligence Z April 1957
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
decisions that need to be made in the near future concerning AQUA TONE and
to outline the manner in which I recommend that these decisions be obtained.
2. It goes without saying that the most important matter to be
decided is whether we will be allowed to operate this summer and if so, where
ion and termination of this project after next fall. The basic planning
decision is whether the Agency is to retain a capability after the fall of 1957
and under what cover. If a capability is to be retained,
four specific courses of action under consideration seem at this time to exhaust
the possibilities.
ee, Continued Operation at roughly present strength.
d operation with two detachments with fewer
present number of people.
5X1 C
d. Continued operation with either One Or two carrier-based
detachments in cooperation with the Navy.
of the last two modes of operation could of coarse be combined
Air Force basses as at present.
25X1A
3. Considerable urgency attaches to the making of these longer run 25X1 'A
plans. Decisions must be made in the near future on the disposition
the recruitment and training of replacement personnel of all categories,
the budget for Fiscal Year 1958, our requirement for the facilities now occupied
at AF bases abroad (especially Adana), the conversion or purchase of equip-
ment for carrier opeeraus(if alternative course of action d. is contemplated)
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and the number of aircraft to be turned over to SAC. If these decisions
cannot be made in a reasonably orderly way, opportunities will be lost,
funds and personnel will be wasted and effectiveness will be impaired.
4. A fact which has a most important bearing on decisions con-
cerning both this summer and the next season is the progress being made
rogram. I am now reasonably confident that we will be
s by the time we sees the President to report that we have achieved
approx mately the maximum result we have thought possible but we will have
to explain that there is still a good chance of at least occasional detection.
I am also confident that if this degree of achievement is confirmed, the
vulnerability of the U-2 aircraft to interception will be little higher next
. Accordingly, RAINBOW improves the chances for operations
this season and Justifies reconsideration of the original concept of terminating
AQUATONE, which was based on the assumption that the U-2's comparative
inity from interception would not last more than two years beyond its
25X1A
6. Recommendations: I believe it vital that you, or you and General
*gether, obtain the President's views on the questions posed above,
ding those that relate to next year. I submit that this activity is far too
costly in money and personnel to be continued very much longer unless the
President so desires. Some elements at least in the Air Force will oppose
the maintenance of a capability beyond the present season unless they have
reason to believe that this capability is more likely to be used if it remains
in our hands then if it 1s transferred to theirs. A Presidential opinion would
both furnish this indication and carry the authority that would assure continued
willing cooperation. I recommend, therefore:
a. That these issues be discussed with General
with the JCS.
prior
b. That you discuss with the JCS the various possible courses
action, and state your intention of seeking Presidential Guidance.
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c. That you
ibm r*st4snt without .tt $ rsco
of US opinion.
r x*. Mr. cbs+e o
Prej. Cbr o (f*td)
pra se at thss. a
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