Initial Request

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005528166
• Release Decision: IPPUB U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01901
• Publication Date: May 6, 2010

Information and Privacy Coordinator
Centr~lIntelligence Agency
Washington, DC 20505
APPROVED FOR RELEASE^ DATE:
03-01-2011
Under the Freedom of Information Act, S U.S.C subsection 552, I am requesting copies
of the 32 reports on the Miami Forward Operating Base, as cited in the footnote in the
enclosed two pages from a previously declassified document.
Unfortunately, I do not have either the title or the rest of the document from which the
footnote is derived. I have only the two pages which I am enclosing, along with a retyped
copy of the footnote to make it more clearly readable. As noted in the footnote, the above
cited reports which I am requesting deal basically with the period between 1962 and
2 968.
My name is Don Bohning. I am the author of the Castro Obsession: US Covert
Operations Against Cuba 1959-196, published in 2005 by Potomac Books, Dulles, Va. I
am requesting the above cited reports for a subsequent and xelated book I am writing.
Please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fee does not exceed
$100, which I agree to pay.
If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each specific exemption you think
justifies your.refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures under
the Iaw.
If you have any questions about handling this request, you may telephone me at
Encl: atyped copy of footnote on which this request is based, as well as the original pages
 The Foitivard Operations Base (FOB) opened in May 1960 in Coral Gables, Florida and it was the
second FOB that had been established since She formation of WI3 Division -the initial base having
been setup during The anti-Arbenz operation in Guatemala in 1453-1954. In general, the Miami FOB
paral3eled the organization of headquarters with FI, CI, CA, Support, and PM units. FOB reported
directly to the Chief, WH DIVISION, not to Jake Esterline, Chief, WH/4. Initially the satellite
communications center for relaying commo between Headquarters and the field-including facilities
in the Florida Keys concerning the maritime operations -was established; and ultimaSely the commo
link would connect Headquarters with the operations in Guatemala and Nicaragua. The cover for the
base, was Clarence A. DePew & Sons, a notional cover for azi organization engaged in classified
research.
A series of some 32 reports has been prepared on the FOB, and the reports are
available through the Records Management Office of WH Division. 'T'hese
(footnote continued on following page)
reports deal basically with the period between 1962 and 1968; and while there is some feeling
that the story of the~Bay of Pigs operation should go into extensive detail on the initial operations of the
FOB, this author has chosen not to do so, focusing instead only on those broad aspects of the problem
re}ating 1o the Miami Base. 84/