ACTIVATION OF BELLE CHASE AMMUNITION DEPOT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00733214
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-02607
• Publication Date: February 20, 1961

Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00733214
IPit .. iS. �
- -.-.- .
20 February 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Activation of Belle Chase Ammunition Depot
1. On 15 February, the undersigned became fully aware of actions
which had been taken by the Agency- in attempting tcigcquire and activate
the Belle Chase Naval Ammunition Depot as a training and holding area
for approximately 45 indigenous personnel who wve at that time being
held at JMRYE. Previous coordination had been ilffected,by WH/4/Support
with the Navy real estate office, Lieutenant Commander Van Leer, and
with appropriate personnel in Government Services Administration.
The appropriate levels of Department of Defense, however, had not been
apprised of the Agency's need for this facility, nor of the arrangements
which had been made through Mr. Van Leer's office.
2. In an attempt to insure that the Department of Defense and the
various offices from within that Department were fully apprised of the
Agency requirement, the Office of Special Operations was contacted.
At about noon the following day, the requirement for Belle Chase was
officially presented to OSO, and Mr. Devine of the Department of State
was briefed regarding this requirement. Mr. Devine immediately
instituted the necessary action to obtain State Department concurrence in
the use of Belle Chase.
3. Captain Spore, OSO, convened a conference in his office at
0930 hours on 17 February, in which representatives from the Army,
Navy and the Agency attended. At this conference, the details of
utilization of Belle Chase were worked out and agreed upon, with the
exception of a cover story, pending concurrence from the State Department
for utilization of this site. This cover story was to be prepared by
Central Cover Division and coordinated with the Department of the Army,
which was done that afternoon. Also, a pending requirement levied by
Department of Defense still has not been accomplished. This requirement
is the provision of an emergency evacuation plan of the indigenous person-
nel from Belle Chase if a compromise or other conditions so dictate.
This requirement has been levied on C/WH/4 /Support.
SEC T
pproved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00733214
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00733214
SECRET
-2-
-2-
4.
4. The concurrence of the Department of State was transmitted
to the Agency at noon on 17 February and Department of Defense
(Captain Spore) was informed of this approval. A memorandum of this
approval was also forwarded to Captain Spore. Appropriate individuals
in the Agency were informed that State had concurred and that Depart-
ment of Defense was taking the necessary actions to support Agency
utilization of Belle Chase. No further problems regarding activation
of Belle Chase are evident at the present time.
5. In future requirements such as the above, it is_s_t_L�ongly_raciara
mended that these requirements be levied on the Department of Defense
through established channels in order that the appropriate offices and
the military services involved are thoroughly familiar with the require-
ments before any contact is made with the working level offices. The
methocre-T-1.mm rri sslon to utilize Belle CEise successful;
however, the failure to notify proper offices on this requirement was a
matter of some irritation to personnel involved. Once the Department
of Defense was acquainted properly with this requirement, however,
the complete cooperation of everyone involved was obtained, and the
working out of the necessary details proceeded very smoothly.
(b)(3)
SECRET
pproved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00733214