REPLY TO 

ATTN OF: 

SUBJEeT: 

TO: 

SCOR 

Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07392 

DEPARTMENT OF'THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND 

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 2033~ 

9 

HQ USAF (AFRDSE) 

1. The attached study i§ submitted in response to Hq USAF (AFRDSE) 

letter, Subject: Deferral of state of California Permit to Construct 

a Harbor of Refuge in Cojo Anchorage, 18 July 1968. 

2. An earlier joint AF1dTR/lst Strategic Aerospace Division study, 

submitted to your'office in May 1968, concluded that commercial and 

public encroacr~ent into the Cojo Bay area woul d increase the risk 

to life and property so as to restrict the flexibility for conducting 

space missions. The attached study addresses itself, as directed by 

AFRDSE, only to the establishment of a suitable harbor of refuge on 

Vandenberg Air Force Base, designed to satisfy humanitarian needs of 

the State of California, but still provide sufficient government control so as to restrict public and commercial development. 

3. The evaluation performed by the U,S, Army Corps of Engineers 

recormnends the Point Arguello Boathouse area as a possible site for 

an alternate harbor of refuge to provide required government control. 

It must be emphasized that a harbor so located jeopardizes launch 

azimuths currently approved in the 1700 - 1800 area, and although 

government-funded evacuation of people can be effected, there is a 

high risk of damage to property (i.e., anchored pleasure and fishing 

boats) . 

4. The Air Force Systems Command recommendations are as follows: 

a. Deny a permit to construct a harbor of refuge at Cojo Bay. 

Although the impact limit lines for currently approved launch azimuths 

(i.e. 1700 - 1800 ) afford marginal protection for Cojo Bay, foreseen 

public and commercial build up follovring establishment of such a 

harbor will surely jeopardize these azimuths. In addition, future 

programs requesting more easterly launch azimuths vill raise the risk 

factor beyond acceptable limits. 

b. In the event such a denial is unsuccessful, recorn.i:'~end the 

Point Arguello Boathouse area be considered to restrict public and 

commercial development. In this instance, the government must be 

prepared to ass"wne the attendant risks to property in the anchorage. 

UPON REHOVAL OF ATTACHViEJllT, THIS DOClTMErIT 

MAY BE DOhTNGRADED TO CONFIDENTIAL 

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Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07392 

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Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07392 

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c. A second alternative in the event denial is unsuccessful is 

for the government to acquire lease-hold interest on sufficient 

acreage immediately surrounding the Cojo area to limit public and 

corr@ercial development. This alternative offers the additional 

benefit of allowing current launch azimuths to be continued without 

increased risk, while limiting the risk to more, easterly azimuths. 

5. We request to be advised of your action on this matter and stand 

'ready to provide any required additional information needed to obtain 

prompt resolution. 

FOR THE COMMANDER 

1 Atch 

VINCENT G. HUSTON 

Major General. USAF 

DOS/Operations 

Study (S) 10 Cys 

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Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07392 

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