COMOR PHOTO WORKING GROUP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 4, 2002
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: May 21, 1964
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels CWG-D-9/6
Only 21 May 1964
MEMORANDUM FOR: COMOR Photo Working Group
SUBJECT: COMOR Photo Working Group Policies
and Procedures
The terms of reference for the COMOR Photo Working Group
(COMOR-D-56/ 29, CWG-D-9/5) specify in paragraph that the
PWG shall establish a manual of standard operating procedures.
Attached is the most recent draft of this manual, which will be
discussed at the Working Group meeting on 26 May.
25X1A
Attachment:
As stated above
Copies 1, 2 DIA
3,4 NSA
5 OACSI
6,7 ONI
8,9 USAF
10, 11 NPIC
12 NRO
Chairman
COMOR Photo Working Group
'rCS-3334/ 64-KH
Copy
Group 1
Excluded from automatic down- handle via TALENT/
grading and declassification. KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 20'216)N :%IA~~DPft1 f1'f09A002700030023-6
 Approved For Release 200j4LQJL012 : F,,,.1 B@P 1 09A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Attachment to
CWG-D-9/6
COMOR PHOTO WORKING GROUP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I. Membership and Responsibilities
A. Member s
The membership of the COMOR Photo Working Group (PWG)
is parallel to that of the Committee on Overhead Reconnaissance (COMOR),
except that the Deputy Chairman is furnished by the CIA as are the
Chairman and the Staff. The State Department is usually not represented
at meetings on targeting. Clearances for the Working Group members
should parallel those of their COMOR principals so that the Working
Gro1.p may properly consider all matters placed before it.
B. Consultants
The National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC)
is represented by two or more consultants at each meeting. Other
agencies are frequently requested to send special consultants to advise
on substantive or technical matters.
C. Responsibilities
The Photo Working Group is responsible for:
1. Developing coordinated, validated, and selective lists
TCS-3334/ 64-KH
Group 1
Excluded from automatic down- Handle via TALENT/
grading and declassification. KEYHOLE Channels
Only
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
 Approved For Release 201 2/E7/F :SC
-F DPi[9Fi01~09A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Attachment to
Only
CWG-D-9/6
of targets of national importance within geographic areas, and by
reconnaissance system as determined by the COMDR.
2. Reviewing and updating these lists to insure
currency in the light of all available intelligence; in particular,
updating the lists on the basis of recent photographic missions.
3. Furnishing to the COMOR any necessary substantive
or t_eemnical support as directed by the Chairman, COMOR.
D. Relationship to COMOR members
It is the responsibility of the COMOR Working Group to
insure that the policies of all member agencies are given consideration
in targeting, consistent with the broader policies established by the
USIB and the COMDR. It is essential, therefore, that the Photo
Working Group members maintain close working relationships
with their respective COMOR members, not only to advise them
on Photo Working Group work in progress but also to be advised
regarding the policies of the COMOR and of their own agencies.
II. Definition of a COMOR target
A COMOR target provides guidance fo':C? both the collection
of intelligence through overhead photography and for photo
TCS-3334/ 64-KH
-2-
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO02700030023-6
 Approved For Release 201210)7402 :ALA-R PISWt O9AO02700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only CWG-D-9/6
interpretation. A target is approved as a COMOR target only if
it is of national significance, and only if it has been clearly
determined that the requirement has not been and cannot be satisfied
by assets other than those controlled by the NRP. A target is
retained in the active file if continuing review and evaluation establish
its current validity; otherwise it is inactivated. Targeting actions
which cannot be resolved by the PWG will be forwarded to COMOR
for resolution. These targets are selected and assigned priorities
in accordance with the current PNIO's, and the needs of the various
member agencies of the intelligence community, taking into
consideration the capabilities of the collection system known to
COMOR, and all other sources of intelligence.
III. Target Information
A. ale ading
1. Target name
The name of confirmed targets in categories IA
and lB will be taken from the latest revision of the GMAIC
publication, Evaluations of Soviet Surface -to -Surface Missile
Deployment, which should agree with the TDI. Other target
TCS-3334/64-KH
-3- Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO02700030023-6
 Approved For Release 20f21&19 :SC
_FLDP7P9FI01~09AO02700030023-6
Handle via TALENT /
KEYHOLE Channels
Attachment to
Only
CWG-D-9/6
names will be obtained from the Target Data Inventory (TDI) or
the Bombing Encyclopedia (BE). For targets not appearing in the
above publications, the NIS Gazetteer will be consulted provided
spelling is altered to conform to the system used in the preferred
publication. If there is no large city in the immediate vicinity of
the target, the nearest town, place, or feature listed in the NIS
Gazetteer will be used to identify the location. Names of new
targets acquired by readout will be those assigned originally by
NPIC.
2. Coordinates
NPIC coordinates for newly identified targets as
reported in immediate PI reports will be used. These, of course,
will be refined whenever new evidence or computation justifies
such refinement, and in such instances NPIC will be notified.
When. coordinates are based on non-photographic sources,
they will be confirmed or made more precise by NPIC on the
basis of readout. Accuracy to the nearest 20 seconds will be
considered adequate for reconnaissance purposes, except when
it is necessary to pinpoint targets within larger complexes or
TCS-3334/64-KH
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 262/7/V2 SCI (--I!~b*gElYl709AO02700030023-6
 Approved For Release 20Q1,/0j0 ,: ~IAg-Rf1CP7RgB(17g9AO02700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only CWG-D-9/6
furnish precise guidance for low-altitude missions.
3. Other Header Information
a. Classification will be held to the lowest adequate
a
level, santized and secondary sources used whenever
w
possible to eliminate restrictive controls.
b. COMOR numbers are assigned by the staff of the
COMOR Working Group, but target proposals will recommend
target categories in accordance with the standard "Target
Category Listing".
c. The country is indicated by a two-letter code.
d. The numbers of the Jet Navigation (JN) chart and
AMS map are entered by the staff of the COMOR Working
Group.
B. Target Descriptions
1. Size of Target
The physical size of a target is limited by the
characteristics of the collection system: a target may be too
small to be photographed successfully by the KT-4 or too large
to be encompassed as a single unit by manned vehicles.
TCS-3334/ 64-KH
-5- Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO02700030023-6
 Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only CWG-D-9/6
Within this broad range, the size of the target is often
limited by feasibility of interpretation.
2. Content
The physical description of the target should be a
brief but complete listing of the major fixed facilities of an
installation, together (if necessary) with a sufficient sampling
of equipment to suggest the character of the installation.
(A target listing is not the proper vehicle for order of battle
information.) The target discription should include a
statement of the intelligence significance of the target, and should
specify what intelligence questions can be answered.
C. Readout Requirements
The readout requirements provide guidance to photo
interpreters in preparation of immediate reports; i. e. , - OAK,
IPIR. Some are standard requirements, developed by NPIC and the
Working Group, which apply generally to broad classes of targets.
Others are related to specific targets. These two types can be used
singly or in combination, dependirgon the target in question. It is
important that requirements are appropriate to the expected quality
of photography and feasible for immediate photographic interpretation.
TCS-3334/64
Handle via TALENT/
-6- KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 20q21U/ :SCI fjDPk9E 01 JDM002700030023-6
 Approved For Release 20gUQJLQ2 : c1&-MPy9.B 1T09A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only CWG-D-9/6
A request for coverage is not an adequate or acceptable readout
requirement.
D. Documentation and History
New targets should be documented with references to
the collateral or photographic information on which the requirements
are based. This section of the target listing is kept current as new
information becomes available. The target history will also include
the dates of initial targeting and subsequent revisions.
E. Target Forms: A form for original target preparations
and updating is attached for approval.
IV. Review of Target Listings
A. Timing
Meetings of the Working Group will be held (1) when the
results of a mission or group of missions become available, (2) when
the Working Group is directed by the Chairman COMOR to convene on
any designated subject, or (3) when the Chairman of the Working
Group judges that updating of a list is necessary. Normally, at
least one meeting each week will be. necessary; in time of unusual
activity, more meetings may be required.
TCS-3334/64-KH
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels.
Only
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO02700030023-6
 Approved For Release 206j2LQ5l :
,1E@P89109A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Attachment to
Only
CWG-D-9/6
B. Prior Research
A target listing is valid only to the extent that it reflect
the real intelligence needs of the community. Because these needs
change, it is essential that all current research and reporting be
reflected in the decisions of the Working Group. Before each meeting
the Working Group members should meet with the analysts and estimators
of their own agencies and discuss in detail the listings to be reviewed
at the meeting and on the basis of these discussions determine
precisely what changes in the listing are necessary. The target list
should be reviewed with. particular attention to targets which may
no longer be of current interest. If deletion is indicated, the
reasons should be made clear. If updating is indicated, the revisions
should be prepared in advance.
C. Objectives of the Review
Continuing review of target listings is imperative if the
overhead reconnaissance program is to be responsive to the needs of
the intelligence community. The objectives of this review are to
insure that
(1) all elements of the target listing are corree.t in detail
according to the most recent information.
TCS-3334/ 64-KH
Handle via TALENT/
-8- KEYHOLE Channels
Only
T o ~? g~ T
Approved For Release 2002107/025 &A-RDF7 O'1709A002700030023-6
 Approved For Release 2OGVJO O2S- BAA fit?SM709A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only CWG-D-9/6
(2) each target is currently a valid reconnaissance
objective
(3) the stated. requirements are based on the questions
that are currently important in the intelligence
community
(4) the listings are complete and comprehensive but
without duplications
(5) the policies of the COMOR and the USIB are
properly implemented in the targeting
(6) the best capabilities of every agency are being
brought to bear on targeting problems.
V. Definitions
Update: Change target data on the basis of new information.
Inactivate: Place an existing COMOR target in the inactive
status for operational collection planning purposes. The target is
retained on the COMOR target lists.
Reactivate: Transfer an existing target from an inactive to
an active list.
Delete: Remove a target completely from a COMOR list so
that the number carries the designation "No Target".
TCS-3334/64-KH
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 2WO D23 DR7-9 'i709A002700030023-6
 Approved For Release 20O2LQ7LQ2 : ?I*E@E? 9B
.bJ 09A002700030023-6
Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels Attachment to
Only ?CWG-D-9/ 6
Enter: Place a new target on the COMOR list in either active
or inactive status.
Add Mission: Indicate in the target history that the target was
covered on a particular mission. No other action required.
Pass: No targeting action taken.
Surveillance Target: A target for which only periodic readout
reports are required, no matter how often the target is covered.
TCS-3334/64-KH
-10- Handle via TALENT/
KEYHOLE Channels
Only
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
 01~ TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 .CIA-RDP79B01709A002700030023-6
.10
V i,
0, $1
Approved For Release 2002/07/02 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO02700030023-66
//
TOD