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),SfNATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF ? 

HANDLE VIA 

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 14 000238380 

27 January 1969 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FLAX 

SUBJECT: ARGO Sponsored Civil Agency Requests for High 

Altitude Photography of the U. S. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that the 

U. S. Geological Service and the U. S. Forestry Service have 

requested U-2/SR-71 coverage of portions of the United States / 1 C 

through Dr. Steininger' s ARGO Steering Committee. (TAB A). 1-1., 'i 

BACKGROUND 

Dr. Steininger has been advocating the use of U-2 type 

domestic coverage in lieu of satellite coverage for civil 

agency use. The U. S. Geological Survey has responded and 

sent the attached request to the NRO Staff through Dr. 

Steininger. This request and a similar one, which was ~iven 

initially to Mr. Tidwell, were discussed withl I 

DIAXX by Colonel Worthman and the undersigned. I I 

agreed that a procedure within the DOD should be set up to 

handle such requests and he felt that his office working 

with the JRC could establish the required procedures. He 

also felt that there should be no problem in meeting the 

Geological Survey's request for photography of the Florida 

Everglades, or the Forestry's request for photographic 

coverage of the snow covered areas feeding the American 

and Kern rivers. 

RECOMMENDATION 

No DNRO action is required at this time. We will continue to keep you informed of further developments along these 

lines. 

CONTROL NO 

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J (.l :· SEeliET 

UNITED STATES 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 2.0242. 

JAN l O 1969 

Lt. Col. W. E. Williamson 

SAFSS 

Room 4C 1000 

Pentagon 

Washington, D. C. 20310 

Dear Col. Williamson: 

During the past months, discussions have evolved between members of 

your office and members of the Topographic Division, Special Projects 

Office regarding acquisition of classified high altitude aircraft 

photography from training missions to augment USGS mapping programs 

and resource studies. 

The USGS is currently negotiating with the State of Florida for 

mapping a large area of the Florida Everglades. Because of the 

inaccessability, terrain type and sparse array of geodetic control 

in this area, it is the considered opinion of the USGS that the 

availability of high altitude photography taken with a 6-inch cartographic camera would be extremely useful in the conduct of this 

mapping project to establish mapping control. Accordingly, we submit 

for your review and consideration a request for photography covering 

the area outlined on the enclosed maps (1:250,000-scale and Planning 

Map). Also, we have enclosed for your information a Flight Design 

Work Sheet outlining desired flight parameters. 

The photography would be maintained in the Special Projects Office 

secure facilitf. in Reston, Virginia, under the auspices of Mr. 

I • All mensuration and compilation work would be 

handled at the appropriate security level. The finished map product 

will be compiled from conventional unclassified photography. · 

Sincerely yours, 

Assistant Director Research 

Enclosures 

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