AIR AMERICA PROCUREMENT OF STANDARD H-500 HELICOPTERS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03145216
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 48
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-00307
• Publication Date: April 21, 1971

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411
DD/S 71-1486
2 1 APR 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, ExComAir
Chief, Special Operations Division
SUBJECT : Air America Procurement of Standard H-500
Helicopters
1. In ExComAir's earlier discussion of the requirement for
two standard Hughes H-500 helicopters, the procurement price of
$90-odd thousand each was used. It is believed that everyone realized
the cost would be something higher than that, but it now develops that
the cost will be approximately as follows:
Cost of two helicopters with provision for
required avionics
$357,
000
Air America supplied black boxes
33,
000
Contingencies
10,
000
Transportation by air from Culver City,
California to the Far East
25, 000 (est .)
TOTAL - $425,000
2. Since these figures will have to be reflected in the contracting,
it is suggested that the desire of ExComAir to committ funds in this amount
for the purpose envisaged be reaffirmed.
3. Since Air America is on the threshold of concluding the contract
to purchase these helicopters, it is also requested that we be advised of
your decision by the close of business, 22 April 1971.
(b)(3)
Alan M. Warfield I
Special Assistant to the
Deputy Director for Support
cc: DD/S-HB
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REMARKS:
Mr. Warfield's office notified by
LRH - affirmative. 4/22/71
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FROM:
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EXTENSION
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FORM NO .041 REPLACES FORM 36-8
1 FEB 55 WHICH MAY BE USED.
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OGC 71-0319
2 March 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Robert S. Wattles
Bob:
Attached is the record of action subsequent to the
ExComAir meeting on the Twin Otter and the Hughes 500s.
I believe this is adequate documentation for proceeding with
procurement. I have reconfirmed with SOD, and its position
is that there is no alternative to the Twin Otter for the pur-
pose intended and the Hughes helicopters make the most sense
for FE Division's operational purposes. Realizing the diffi-
culties this causes the company, no specific objection was
raised to these proposals at ExComAir, and I think we should
proceed.
Lawrence R. Houston
Attachment
OGC:LRH:jeb
OGC chrono
1/0GC subject HBILKA
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, My understanding is that the
- new Twin Otter will be completely
I ready at the end of July.
AWW
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,.SUBJECT: (Optirir,o1)
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USE ONLY
r dol,lrotion, room number, and
ROUTING AND rtEconD SHEET
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
EXTENSION
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
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to whom. Draw a tine across column otter cael cnrarrtent.)
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SECRET El conFIDEMTIAL luNsTEER4ity
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OROINAY CONONITIAL
SECRET
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
FROM:
DDP
EXTENSION
NO.
DATE
4 February 1971
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
C/SOD/AB
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2.
3.
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3-62 Al0 USE PREVIOUS
EDITIONS ZSECRET COMDENTIAL El UNCLASSIFIED
FORM INTERNAL
USE ONLY
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SENDER WILL CHECK CLASSIFICATIONW AND BOTTOM
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
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SIGNATURE.
Remarks:
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(b)(1)
NOT INDEXED (b)(3)
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
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(b)(3)
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UNCLASSIFIED I CONFID1#TIAL I
SECRET
FORM NO. 1)1) 7 Use previous editions GPO 1968 0- 297-542
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(b)(1
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S EU k 111,
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DD/S 71-0406
.A.E.oduRAt U,1 FOR: Deputy Director for Support
SUBJECT : Twin Otter-300 for Laos
I. As you will recall, this matter was discussed at the ExComAir
meeting on 1 February 1971 and ExComAir has advised the Deputy Director
for Plans that it accepted the operational requirement for this aircraft.
Since Air America is unable to meet the 1 March 1971 operational date
desired by the Far East Division, the Special_Operations Division has now
firmly concluded that it must transfer th Twin Otter-300 to Laos (b)(1)
for the operational requirement until such time as Air America can replace (b)(3)
.
2. Air America has determined that a new Twin Otter-300 with a
utility cabin and such other special features as may be required can be
delivered in July 1971. Failure to acquire this aircraft would mean that
the next delivery position would be in September 1971 and that the cost at
that time will be $45, 000 above the price of the presently available aircraft.
3. Accordingly, Mr. Doole has been authorized to make a $10, 000
deposit on the July delivery. This will reserve this aircraft for Air America.
The risk in not taking this action at this time is that there are two other
Interested buyers: (1) Air Madagascar; and (2) an unnamed oil company.
The risks in taking this action are negligible since the aircraft would be
readily salable after taking delivery; or it would almost unquestionably
be welcomed by Vientiane Station as a routine augmentation to the Air
America fleet; or it might even be possible to recover the $10, 000 deposit.
'D Alan, M.
Alan M. Warfield
Special Assistant to the
Deputy Director for Support
cc: C/SOD
vehrrin, ExCornAir OG C SUBJECT
DD/S-I-113 HBILKA
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TRANSMITTAL SLIP
De 4 FEB 1971
TO:
Chairman, ExComAir
ROOM NO.
7D01
BUILDING
Hqs .
REMARKS:
OGC Subject: HB/ILKA
FROM:
SA-DD/S
ROOM NO.
2E45
BUILDING
Hqs .
EXTENSION
6462
FORM NO. 1
I FEB 55 4.1"
REPLACES FORM 36-8
WHICH MAY BE USED.
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OGC 71-0159
iRET dik Subject: ITB/IIAKA
DD/S 71-0361
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Domestic Contact Service
SUBJECT : Air America Recruiting
REFERENCE : Memo to D/DCS fm Chief, SFO dtd 20 Jan. 71,
same subj. (SF-053-71)
1.. Referent memorandum was passed to this office by General
Counsel.
2. Air America advises that none of the names mentioned in the
reference is known to it. Air America does not recruit through employment
agencies. No invoice has been received from the Stanford International
Personnel Agency. D. C. Ellis, who reportedly signed a certification of
delivery, is unknown to Air America.
3. The position taken by the Chief, San Francisco Office in
paragraph 4 of the reference is entirely correct and we would encourage
maintaining it.
CC: t
SIGNED Jan 1. Warfini4
Alan M. Warfield
Special Assistant to the
Deputy Director for Support
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DATE 1 OB 1971
I
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
TO:
(b)(3
Mr.
OGC
ROOM NO.
7D01
BUILDING
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.
REMARKS:
FROM:
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ROOM NO.
2E45
BUILDING
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1 EXTENSION
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;ON'8"5�5 .241
REPLACES FORM 36-B
WHICH MAY BE USED.
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"714 0110
OGC 71-0151
29 January 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT : Air America Recruiting
REFERENCE: DCS Memorandum SF 053-71, dtd. 20 January 1971
1. On 29 January 1971 I talked with Mr. C/DCS (b)(3)
San Francisco Office to advise him that Air (b)(3)
America had no information with regard to any of the problems
included in his memorandum referred to above. I told Mr. (b)(3)
we felt there were three options opened to him:
a. He could contact Mr. Button of the Santa Clara District
Attorney's office and advise him that their headquarters had con-
tacted Air America and Air America had no knowledge of the
alleged relationship.
b. He could suggest to Mr. Button that written inquiries
could be sent to Mr. George Doole.
c. Mr. Lawrence Houston, General Counsel was going to
be on the west coast on 4 February and, if Mr. thought it
warranted a face-to-face meeting, Mr. Houston was willing to come
to San Francisco.
2. Mr. felt the first alternative of replying to Mr. Button's
inquiry was sufficient at this time and, in the event the address of Mr.
George Doole was requested, Mr. was prepared to furnish it.
I indicated that should he so desire any further assistance, please con-
tact this office.
cc: DCS
Mr. George Doole
AsVstant General Counsel
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IGROUP 1
Exctuded from aufomatit
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Distribution:
Original - HB/ILKA subj file
1 - JKG signer
1 - Chrono
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TF-CANSMITTAL SLIP
Z7 j:.--13a 1971
TO:
Mr. Doole
ROOM NO. BUILDING
REMARKS:
I would appreciate your comments!
on the attached report and feel a reply
should be sent hack to the Santa Clara
District Attorney's office via the
DCS office.
ROM:
Assistant General Counsel
ROOM NO. 1 BUILDING
T31.41EMB 55 9 4 I
R EP L AC ES FORM N-8
IAO-NCEi MAY SE USED.
EXTENSION
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C
OGC Subj: HB /ILKA
Sil3;E:C7: (Optional)
FROM:
Air Amer,ca Recruiting
-k
DCS/Operaqonl Support Staff
900 Key BundIng
TO: (OFkor dasignation, room number, and
buileing)
DATE
KUNE)
FORWAr