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LEGAL AUTHORITIES FOR THE NRO 

Basic Documents 

- By memorandum of 1 September 1960, the National Secu 

Council, in the name of the President, directed that certair 

components of the Air Force satellite reconnaissance progran 

be assembled into a program of high priority with .a direct 1 

of command from the Secretary of the Air Force to an Air For 

General Officer. (TAB A) 

- By memorandum of 15 September 1960, Acting Secretary 

Defense Douglas directed that the Secretary of the Air Force 

assume responsibility for the reconnaissance satellite progr 

and report for review and approval on the program directly t 

the Deputy Secretary of Defense. (TAB B) 

The preceding direction was reaffirmed by Secretary 

Defense Gates on 10 October 1960. (TAB C) 

- On 6 September 1961, Secretary of Defense McNamara 

designated the Under Secretary of the Air Force as his Assis 

for Reconnaissance with full authority for the management of 

National Reconnaissance Program. This memorandum relayed or 

agreement made between the Secretary of Defense and the DirE 

of Central Intelligence regarding a single national reconnai 

program co-managed by the Department of Defense and the Cent 

Intelligence Agency. (TAB D) 

- On 26 January 1962, Secretary of the Air Force ZuckE 

: by Air Force Order, established the Office of Space Systems 

the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. (TAB E) 

- On 2 Nay--1962, the Department of Defen-se-and the-Cat 

Intelligence Agency established new policy for the responsil 

of the National Reconnaissance Office and desigrated a singT 

Director, National Reconnaissance Office, proposing that the 

Under Secretary of the Air Force be named as the Director. f 

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- On 14 June 1962, DOD*Directive 5105.23 established t 

National Reconnaissance Office pursuant to the authority yes 

in the Secretary of Defense and the provisions of the Nation 

Security Act of 1947 as Amended. This regulation was supers 

on 22 March 1964 by a similarly numbered directive. The dir 

tive is itself classified TOP SECRET and not listed with all 

DOD regulations or directives. (TAB G) 

- A second formal agreement between the Secretary of 

Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence was signed 

on 13 March 1963. This agreement established the Secretary 

of Defense as the Executive Agent for the program and agreec 

to establish the National Reconnaissance Office as a separat 

operating agency of the Department of Defense. (TAB H) 

- The third agreement between the Director of Central 

Intelligence and the Deputy Secretary of Defense was signed 

on 11 August 1965 and is the current agreement. (TAB I) 

- The DNRO formally is designated by the Secretary of 

Defense and is given further authority by the Secretary of t 

Air Force. (TAB J) 

Authorities 

The NRO is constituted in accordance with the authorit 

vested in the Secretary of Defense by the National Security 

of 1947 as Amended. Furthermore, the agreements between the 

Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency a/ 

authorized also by the authorities vested in the Director of 

Central Intelligence by the National Security Act as Amendec 

By TOP SECRET Regulation 5105.23, the National Reconnaissanc 

Office is established as a separate operating agency of the 

Department of Defense. By various letters and directives, I 

Office of the _Secretary of_the_Air_Force_has_the_responsibL 

for the overall management of the National Reconnaissance 0i 

reporting to the Secretary of Defense as Executive Agent. 

tradition, the Under Secretary of the Air Force normally is 

assigned the additional duty as Director of the covert Nati( 

Reconnaissance Office. 

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Financial Activities 

Since the outset of the National Reconnaissance Program 

and the establishment of the National Reconnaissance Office, 

the programs and budgets have been processed through the 

;Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Congress. Chairme 

of the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees have bee 

fully apprised of the program and each year have approved th 

programs and budget for the conduct of the National Reconnai 

Program. The programming and budgeting activities are carri 

out apart from the normal Department of Defense submissions 

the Congress. The monies for the National Reconnaissance Pr 

are budgeted within the Air Force budget but are outside the 

responsibility and discretionary control of the Chief of Sta 

United States Air Force and his Comptroller. Monies are tra 

ferred to the CIA for expenditure within Program B of the 

National Reconnaissance Office under the authority of the 

Economy Act (31 U.S.G. 686). Certification for proper expen 

ture.of monies appropriated in the Defense Department budget 

the responsibility of the Comptroller of the NRO. 

Procurement 

All procurements, within the NRO, are made within the 

regulatory bounds of the ASPRs. A redelegation of procureme 

authority is granted annually by the Under Secretary of the 

Air Force (DNRO) to NRO Program A. Procurement authority of 

the CIA is contained in Public Law. Program C operates witt 

the redelegation authority granted to Director, NRO Program 

and does not have its own procurement authority for NRO proj 

Audits 

The NRO is audited on a full-time basis by a special 

-detachment o f' the Defense-Contact -Audit Agency_ The _audit 

team maintains full-time personnel at various contractor 

facilities. Audit reports are received regularly by the 

Director, Defense Audit Agency. Supplemental audits are 

conducted at the request of the Program Directors by the 

Air Force Auditor General or the CIA Inspector General as 

appropriate. Audit deficiencies are reported iliudediately 

to the Director, NRO. Adjudications of discrepancies are 

normally made within the regular audit function. 

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