REPLY TO 

ATTN OF: IN 

'.YfflD ~ront:1 

Approved for Release: 2024/01/12 C05144000 ' - ~~~,-.,--- - , 

( .?ARTMENT' OF THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, D,C, 

15 JUL 1974 

illllllllllllllllllllll~ITTlllffilITTlllllllllllililllllllllllll 14 0<!()90953D ~ 

suBJECT, · Closure of Air Force Special Pr?jects Production Facility 

{AFSPPF) 

To, SAF /U$ {Mr • P 1 ummer) ' r------- ~,r·r,.., , ... L:Y J ' 

1. The decision to close the AFSPPF is regrettable. The h~~~r,:, t"r I 

physical plant and collective expertise of the personnel ri-=.~;-~--1-/~ assigned, as pointed out _in my 8 February 197 4 letter, /--fZ1 -T--: ..:.i,._ 

provided a unique capability for integrated processing, LIJ:_/--r---:=-1 

exploitati<;n and research '7nd develoJ?ment (R&D) in support!L~fr-/--}-1 

of the national. photographic. reconnaissance p,rogram. . _ ; rt=J . · · i--!fG kt2. In· view of the firm decision for phasedown, eventual ~~?!~~I. r 

closure and transfer of functions of this facility, an L;~;i--"/-_ I· 

) effort. should be made to retain the. integri tr of the reduqe1cl:f-r=t 

operation. Transfer of the production function to the 544..t.:_tt=Q 

Aerospace Reconnaissance Technical Wirig (ARTW) will provide - a limited processing back-up for the prime contractor. 

Management of the evaluation and R&D functions should also 

remain under Air Force control. 

3. For cost effectiveness a_nd in order to take advantage of - the synergistic. effect which exists from collocation of all 

three functions, I strongly recommend that the evaluation and 

·R&D efforts also be moved to the 544th ARTW. Many of the R&D 

programs sponsored by the AFSPPF were initiated as a result · of requirements- identified · in the process·ing and• evaluation 

areas. The other benefit to be derived from havirigsuch a 

center within an operational environment is the support which 

could be provided to the remaining Air.Force production 

facilities. 

4. Within the 1-ast few years, the-number of these units has 

been cut in half, with no diminution in photo collection 

activities. A program to automate, standardi_ze equipment and 

production techniques and insure a nucleus of experienced 

personnel on which to.build in emergencies needs our concerted 

attention. Movement of the entire Westover operation to Omaha 

could be a step toward both satisfying this requirement and in 

promoting increased Air Force participation ih the National 

Reconnaissance Program (NRP) .• -B YE..:..0600 ~o -74·· 

Clazslfled by BYE--1 

FXEMPT FROM GENlmJl.t 

DECL.'I.SS!FICltTION. SCHEDULE 

OF EXECUTJVE OMw 

EXEMPTION CATEGf'! 21..W 

DECLAS5IF¥ Oli& --~ 

'HANDt:E' vr/( ' . 

BYEMAN-TALENT-KEYHOLE 

Approved for Release: 2024/01/12 C05144000 
(~Approved for Release: 2024/01/12 C05144000 

. illnI:r '- --

5. _The DCS.Intelligence, SAC, concurs with my view. He is 

prepared to submit a plan for accommodating th~_present 

AFSPPF R&D and evaluation functions, or a reduced.version of 

these activities, within the 544th ·ARTW. I would be glad to 

discuss this issue with yo:u further at your convenience. 

GEORGE J. KEEGAN, 

Major General, USAF 

·. ~t Chif.rl of Staff, Intelligence 

2 

HANDLE VIA 

BYEMAN-TALENT-KEYHOLE 

:CONTROL: SY.STEMS -iJ.O.lliJ:L.y.; 

Approved for Release: 2024/01/12 C05144000