Honorable John C. Stennis

United States Senate

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

With respect to the nomination of Mr. James Plummer for

the position of Under Secretary of the Air Force, I would like

to submit some information regarding the responsibilities of

that office.

The Under Secretary of the Air Force has responsibilities

comparable to the Under Secretaries of the Army and Navy. As

my alter ego, Mr. Plummer would be responsible for all matters

of Air Force business which demand attention during my absence.

In addition, he would have certain delegated responsibilities

which would be mutually agreed upon between the two of us.

These items could include subjects of special interest to him

or areas which drew on his expertise. During my tenure as

Under Secretary, I had special responsibilities in the field

of personnel, unmanned aircraft and space programs.

Since Mr. Plummer is not yet on board, we have not worked

out what these special responsibilities might be. However,

there is one area in which he would have special responsibilities

which I would like to cell to your attention.

By mutual agreement of the Secretary of Defense and the

Director of Central' Intelligence, the Under Secretary of the

Air Force is designated as the manager of the National Reconnaissance Program. The Under Secretary runs the NRO, the

National Reconnaissance Office, which manages the NRP. He has

a small staff which reports to him and assists him in the

management of the major programs which fall within the cognizance

of the NRO. The NRO is responsible for the formulation, conceptual design, research and development, procurement and operation
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Q. I understand you are going to dispose of your stocks.

When will these transactions be completed?

A. Within the next days.

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Q. As you know, the Senate Democratic Caucus has adopted a

policy with respect to. every civilian nomination which

requires the nominee be.asked: 'Di we have your commitment

to respond to requests to appear and testify before any

duly constituted committee of the Senate?

A. You certainly do have my commitment to do so.

Q. Your background is excellent and You appear strong in .

technical areas. These are areas Which I as sure there

is :such help needed: In your dealings with the Government

from irtvate . industry, have you developed any ideas as.

to what you-might went to do now that you are working on •

the Governiment side? •

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Q. I would like to stress that if things' are not going right

you gain a lot more by coming back and being frank about

them rather than trying to Within:end explain them

away and Wind some program that is not going right: In

other words, if you will be perfectly frank with Congress,

I think you will get good cooperation.

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. . • A. That'is my intention Senator. Think you:•

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A. (A statement as to say per:Weal ideas.)

A suggestion: During.thistime period of declinineresources

I would hope to assist in applying technology toward fielding

systems to solve military pubis.' at.reasoneble costs and in

a timely fashion. • •
Have you had any experience in the Air Force, working for

the Air Force or any other Branch of the Armed Services?

A. (Outline military experience.)

Q. Do you have any situations now in which your previous

employer is a contractor you will be contacting in connection with on-going programs in the Air Fbrce?

A. Yes. LNSC does have on-going programs for the Air Force.

Q. I understand that you are severing all relationships with

- your prior employer.

A. Yes, completely.

You have no understanding that you will go back to work

with them once you are finished here?

A. I do not.

You will have no contractual obligation with MSC or they

with you once you take this position?

A. No, I will not.

Q. Do you have any retirement benefits coming to you from

Lockheed, and if so will such a retirement plan be affected

in any way by the business that Lockheed does in this next

few years, or is it totaled and fixed at the time you leave

the Company?

A. (Answer as appropriate.)

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Q. During the last 20 years you have been employed by LMSC,

one of the Government's biggest contractors. Will bhis

give you any difficulty in looking after the Government's

end of the operations with respect to the Government's

dealings with Lockheed or other private contractors?

A. No Sir. I have discussed this with Secretary McLucas and

we have arranged that if there is any question or if there

could be any appearance of conflict, I will step aside.

I don't feel that my prior employment should be a factor

or prejudice my judgment in the future.

Mr. Plummer, you bring in a background of much experience

to this important job. Are you making a great financial

sacrifice to take this position?

A. Senator, I will be accepting a lesser financial remuneration,

however, I have taken this into consideration in asking my

decision to leave LMSC to come into Government. I have

decided that I would like the opportunity to contribute

something and employ what experience I have gained over

the last several years in Amore direct service to the

Government.

Are you willing to serve in the capacity as Under Secretary

of the Air Force through 1976?

A. Yes I am.

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Have you been involved in the building of Air Force spy

satellites?

A. I have over the years been involved with several sensitive

projects the details of which I an not privileged to discuss in relatively open hearings. I will be glad to discuss the details of my past involvements with a more Closed

group at the disametion of the Chairmen.

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Q.
Q. If you have been working the spy satellite program what

will be your responsibilities in connection with such a'

program as Under Secretary of the Air Force.

1 A. I am not privileged to discuss the full details of certain

specific responsibilities in a relatively open hearing. I

will be glad to discuss in depth with a wore closed group

at the discretion of the Chairman.

Q. Isnit it true that one of the vain reasons that the Lockheed

loan was approved was so that your Company could continue

its work on spy satellites?

A. Although I am not privy to all of the background of the

decision to approve the Lockheed loan, LNSC has always

been a major profit center for the Corporation. I believe

that the Government, as a consideration, did not wish to

see LISC sacrificed as A viable defense producer.

0 Q. Will you be working with the CIA in your new position?

A. Of course, as Under Secretary I will be involved in oversight of Air Force intelligence activities. In that connection, I expect that I will have contact with the CIA.

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