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April 29, 1969 

?-1E:'.VIORA~Dc).1 FOR DR. McLUCAS 

SlJBJECT: Replacement of U-2s with SR-71s for Cuban Overflight 

Problem: 

To examine, in the light of DNRO responsibilities, JCS/CINCSAC 

actions on Cuban overflight. 

Background: 

The Director, National Reconnaissance Office is unequivocally 

responsible for all overflight of denied areas. DOD Directive 5105. 23 

(see Tab A) states that the DNRO is responsible for "consolidation 

of all DOD satellite and air vehicle overflight projects ... into a 

single program ... and for the complete management and conduct of 

this Program .... " The DOD/ CIA Agreement makes a similar 

assignment. 

In spite of these clear statements, the Dh-ectors of the National 

Reconnaissance Office have never taken a strong position to invoke 

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the authority that goes with their responsibility. In the "Cuban Crisis, 

Dr. Charyk found it simple to "delegate" the function to the Joint Chiefs 

of Staff (and specifically, General Steakley's Joint Reconnaissance 

Center) because (1) it appeared we were headed toward a wartime 

situation, (2) the NRO was in an early formative stage, and (3) the 

JRC had easy access to the unified and specified commands. (This 

delegation was never legitimatized.) 

Dr. McMillan was very much interested in setting up a strong 

aircraft overflight organization but abandoned an excellent plan when 

he and Under Secretary Gilpatric ran into unexpected opposition from 

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the DCI (Mr, McCone). Dr. Flax often spoke of the need for sorting 

out his relationship with the JCS on this matter. 

Recently. your staff has worked with the JRC. and General 

Steakley in particular. in preliminary discussions directed toward 

formalizing roles for the NRO and JCS. The most reasonable and 

acceptable solution appears to be one in which the DNRO clearly 

exercises total management responsibility for aircraft overflight and 

the JCS exercises operational responsibility delegated by the DNRO. 

Present Status. 

We have received a memorandum from General Steakley (see Tab B) 

in which he states that CINCSAC has recommended that SR-71s replace 

U-2s for Cuban overflight and that our GLASS LAMP missions are stood 

down pending investigation by the JCS. This recommendation is within 

JCS's recognized functions; however, (1) the decision to stand down 

GLASS LAMP and (2) the final decision on the JCS's recommendations 

are your responsibility.· 

Alternatives: 

Several options are open. 

1. Ignore the problem. This has the advantage of "making no 

waves" and of tacitly continuing the pattern of nolo contendere followed 

by your predecessors. Disadvantages: (1) the tacit acceptance is illegal 

at best. i.e., the DNRO is not empowered to "delegate" management 

control of GLASS LAMP; (2) the JCS activity is, in this instance, 

managerial. not operational; (3) the USIB holds you, not the JCS, responsible for GLASS LAMP collection. 

2. Blast the JCS. Advantages: (1) this establishes the DNRO as 

being strongly interested in aircraft overflight (rather than preoccupied 

by satellites); (2) it forces recognition of the functional problem; and 

(3) it stands down further functional incursions until the main issue is 

resolved. Disadvantages: (1) the JCS action may be well-intended 

(after all, they did tell us what they were doing): (2) it's really our fault 

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that the JCS are this deeply in our business, and (3) there should be a 

gentleman's solution to this problem. 

3. Negotiate with General Steakley. This option (1) gives you 

an opportunity to meet General Steakley, (2) lets you explore the JCS's 

motives and intentions. (3) permits you to register your concern informally. and (4) keeps your follow-on actions flexible. Disadvantages; 

none that I can see. 

Recommendation: 

I recommend that you follow Option 3. We are not prepared to open 

the main issue at this time but preliminary discussions should not hurt 

our cas·e (we have had an "NRO aircraft package II under preparation and 

will forward it to you by next week). The key points to establish with 

General Steakley -- and perhaps to obtain his willing concurrence on --

are these: 

1. The DNRO has total management responsibility for GLASS LAMP. 

2. The DNRO proposes, in the near future. to legalize the JCS as 

having total operational responsibility for GLASS LAMP. 

3. A GLASS LAMP stand down is a managerial decision. 

4. It would be useful for General Steakley to coordinate the JCS 

study recommendations with you prior to sending them to the JCS or 

Sec·retary of Defense. 

PAULE. WORTHMAN 

Colonel. USAF 

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THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF 

WASHINGTON, D,C, 20301 11111111111111111 111111111111111111 

THl JOINT 5TAff J-3M 834-69 

26 April 1969 

MEMORANDUM FOR Director, ~National Reconnaissance Office 

Director, Defense Intelligence Agency 

SUBJECT: Replacement of the U-2 with the SR-71 for 

Cuban Overflight ~ 

1. On 18 April 1969, the Commander-in-Chief, Strategic 

Air Command (CINCSAC), recommended that consideration be 

given to replacing the U-2 with the SR-71 for the reconnaissance effort over Cuba. The basis for his concern was 

the recent shoot-down of the EC-121 in the Sea of Japan. 

~. A JCS paper is 

response to CINCSAC. 

be approved by 2 May 

investigation., GLASS 

flown over Cuba. 

i COMP 

being prepared that will provide a 

It is expected that the paper will 

1969. Pending the results of this 

LAMP U-2 missions are not being 

}? a-f'' ?: S-h~ 

'R]\'LPH D. STEAKLEY 

Brig General, USAF 

Deputy Director 

for Heconna1ssa:nce 

Operation'S Directorate 

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TOP SECRET 

IDYE - 78064-·69 

, HAND~E VIA BYE.MAN 

CONTROL. SYSTEM .oNL.V . . 

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