INSCOM GRILL FLAME INVOLVEMENT IN IRAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00788R002000240018-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 29, 1998
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: December 3, 1979
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release - 0788ROO2000240018-6
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
US ARMY INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY COMMAND
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: INSCOM GRILL FLAME Involvement in Iran ($)
1. (U) PURPOSE: To outline the involvement of INSCOM GRILL FLAME
Project personnel in the current crisis in Iran, including how we came
to be tasked in the first place.
2. (S) BACKGROUND:
a. On 21 Nov 79, Jackie Keith, GS-14, Chief, ICC, HQ INSCOM,
contacted this office concerning the current hostage situation in Teheran,
Iran. He informed me that he had been assigned to represent INSCOM on a
JCS task force which had been established to handle the Iran crisis
Mr.Keith, who is knowledgeable about the GRILL FLAME Program, felt that
perhaps we could use our assets in obtaining information concerning the
crisis. I explained that we did not want to get involved unless we were
specifically directed to by proper INSCOM authorities. Mr. Keith under-
stood my position and informed me that he would contact COL Carr, C/S,
INSCOM, and get his approval and get back to me.
b. Late in the evening of 21 Nov 79, Mr. Keith called me at home and
informed me that he had briefed COL Carr and the Chief of Staff had given
his approval for me to support Mr. Keith's requirement. I made arrangements
for Mr. Keith to provide me some necessary data concerning the situation
and we scheduled a meeting for first thing Friday morning, 23 Nov 79, in
my office. I then informed COL White, ADCSOPS-HUMINT, of the tasking we
had just received.
NOTE: Mr. Keith had gone directly to the C/S because the DCSOPS,
COL(P) Wilmot, was out of town.
c. On 23 Nov 79, Mr. Keith and I met at 0715 hrs to discuss how we
would support his requirement. He provided me with a set of coordinates
and a copy of TIME magazine (dated 19 Nov 79). This issue contained a
picture of two of the hostages.
Approved For ReleasCjJ1M&J5 ??C RC
CLASSIFIED BY: DIRECTOR, DIA
DECLASSIFY ON: 3 DEC 1999
EXTENDED BY: DIRECTOR, DIA
REASON: 2-301-C (3) (6)
8R
0A2 V1 -6
 -:go 11
Approved For Releasq
96-007888002000240018-6
IAFM-OPS-HU-SA 3 Dec 1979
SUBJECT: INSCOM GRILL FLAME Involvement in Iran ( )
d. We then proceeded to conduct two sessions based on the data
provided by Mr. Keith. We were not able to provide Mr. Keith with
finished transcripts on the 23rd, but we did give him copies of the
drawings done during the two sessions.
e. On Monday (approx 0800 hrs), 26 Nov 79, Mr. Keith called and
stated that "it was essential that I brief MG Vaught and a LTC Lenahan,._
on the project and that he was going to MG Rolya for approval." I
informed him that I could not brief any "outsiders" without prior approval
of the CG. Later that day, Mr. Keith called and informed me that MG Rolya
had given his approval for me to brief MG Vaught and LTC Lenahan concerning
our program and to provide them any assistance possible. MG Rolya stated
that he personally would inform the ACSI, MG Thompson, of his decision.
Mr. Keith agreed to arrange a meeting between MG Vaught, LTC Lenahan and
myself for 1400 hrs, 27 Nov 79. I then informed COL White of the additional
instructions I had just received.
f. MG Vaught and LTC Lenahan did not show up for the 1400 hr,
27 Nov 79; therefore, Mr. Keith arranged for another meeting at 1200 hrs,
28 Nov 79.
g. At the 1200 hr, 28 Nov 79, meeting I briefed MG J. B. Vaught (DA
Staff) and LTC Roderick Lenahan (O~ICS/J3/SOD) on INSCOM's GRILL FLAME
Project. I stressed that the program was new and that there were numerous
unanswered questions, including the reliability of the data obtained. I
cautioned them very strongly against using the output "as sole source"
when there was no other data available to confirm or deny our input. They
acknowledged that they understood the pitfalls of using our data but re-
quested that we continue to provide them with session reports. LTC Lenahan
and I then worked out the parameters of the support we would try to provide
them.
h. Since our initial meeting, LTC Lenahan has provided me with photos
of the target area and pictures of some of the hostages (we also obtained
some pictures via the ACSI Staff). Other than collection requirements levied
by LTC Lenahan, this office has not received any other data not previously
mentioned, about the target area.
i. As of this date we have conducted 14 sessions and have provided
LTC Lenahan with copies of the first eight sessions. I will be providing him
some additional reports sometime today.
MURRAY B.aATT
LTC, MI
INSCOM GRILL FLAME
Project Manager
Approved For Release 0%& DP96-007888002000240018-6