TRANSMITTAL OF DDO/SED MEMO

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527495
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 12, 1976

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527495
MEMORANDUM
r ' Director 9f,..ReSearch and.. Devel'opM?nt
SUBJECT: Transmittal ,of DDO/SED Memo,
REFERENCE: .SED -Memo: dated. 7 May .1976-, Subject: SE Comments
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which I 'am forwarding to you I will follow-up this ,memo
with a formal request for an ORD response to the points
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outlined in the referenced memo after' dfscussions ,with lvir.
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7 May 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, TACANA TCT
FROM
SE/COPS
SUBJECT SE Comments on TACANA
REFERENCE : ORD-1102-76 Paper on TACANA Program, 5 May 1976
1. After reading Reference and attending a TACANA meeting on 6 May,
I offer the following comments and SE's position on the program. This
is a collection system being developed by the DD/S&T for possible deploy-
ment by the DO against a priority target validated by OWI and OSI. SE
Division continues to be willing to try to deploy this system against an
internal Moscow-located target, provided:
a. The collection system is shown to be workable, i.e.,
can operate according to a script agreed to by the TCT. In short,
birds trained against a target, moved clandestinely at least 2500
miles to target area, acclimated covertly, and deployed against
target with return to a base.
b. A priority intelligence target in the Moscow area is .
validated by the DD/S&T and judged worth cost and risk involved.
2. Judging from remarks at the 6 May meeting, TACANA cannot be deployed
during CY1976. It appears that two fundamental questions still need answers
before any serious effort is made to run even a full, simulated exercise:
a. Full understanding of acclimation process: how long and
can this be done covertly under simulated Moscow conditions? We
apparently know the birds can adjust to new environs, but this has
been done under non-clandestine conditions and we still lack full
understanding of the process.
b. Can they be trained to search and find a particular target?
What is their retention ability for this? What is impact of location
change on this?
3. Given the current status of bird training there seems to be no
reason to bring them to the Washington area this year. That step was
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planned only if they were ready to perform a full-scale dummy operation,
and. indeed I. think. this area should, remaimasafinal. testIocatioix..
Whether the program should be continued must be a.DD/S&T decision.
Only its offices can truly evaluate the collection system/cost against
similar developmental efforts, and certify/validate the targets. In any
event-the program should not involve bringing the birds to Washington
until they are fully ready to meet an operational test script 'pea.
paragraph 1. a. above/.
CC: C/SE
NIO/SA
C/SE/I/USSR
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