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BYEMAN 

CONTRDL SYSTEM 

r GAMBIT 

J NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASH IN GTON, D.C. 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111II 14000756580 

THE NRO STAFF August 26, 1968 

GAMBIT HANDLE VIA 

BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. ~ SUBJECT: Project Van Winkle 

You will recall that on August 25, 1967 you asked CINCSAC to 

provide the necessary support at Vandenberg AFB for implementation of Project Van Winkle -- which is the long-term storage of 

Program 206 (GAMBIT) satellite vehicles (Tab A). You also asked 

CINCSAC to ensure that each succeeding commander of Strategic 

Air Command and commander of Vandenberg AFB be made aware 

of Project Van Winkle and all restrictions related thereto. 

At Tab B is a letter from General Holloway assuring you that 

he and General Carlton understand, and will execute, their responsibilities with regard to Project Van Winkle. 

Captain, USAF 

TOP SEeRET EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING 

DOD DIRECTIVE 5200.10 DOES NOT APPLY 

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COpy 

'DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 

(Jffice of the Assistant Secretary 

·6 t t-16625-68 

1111111/111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1400075659D 

August 25, 1967 

SUBJ: Long Term Storage of Program 206 Equipment at Vandenberg AFB 

(Project Van Winkle) 

TO: Commande r 

Strategic Air Command 

Offutt Air Force Base 

Omaha, Nebraska 

1. Two sets of certain classified satellite hardware from Program 

206 are being readied for long term storage at Vandenberg AFB. It 

is intended that this hardware be released to the Air Force Museum 

and the Smithsonian Institute for display purposes at some future date 

to be determined by the Secretary of the Air Force. 

12. In order to facilitate storing this hardware for an indefinite period, 

it is requested that a suitable storage site be arranged at Vandenberg 

AFB which will provide approximately 750 sq. ft. of secure storage 

space at minimal cost. Once the storage site has been selected and 

approved by the Director of Special Projects, OSAF, and the hardware 

contain€frs put in place, the storage site must not be changed without 

prior written approval from the Secretary of the Air Force. 

3. Due to the sensitive nature of this equipment, it is mandatory that 

positive security control be established and maintained to preclude 

forceable or accidental opening of the containers. The external view 

of the storage containers will be unclassified. Two plaques will be 

placed on each container indicating the contents are non-explosive 

and non-hazardous and that Secretary of the Air Force approval is 

req~ired to move or open the containers. 

4. Request you advise the Director of Special Projects, OSAF, 

Los Angeles, California, of the storage site selected so that appropriate ar~angements can be made to have this hardware delivered 

for storage. You are also requested to take necessary action to 

insure that each succeeding commander of Strategic Air Command, 

and commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base are made aware of 

this storage and .all restrictions related thereto. 

lsI 

ALEXANDER H. FLAX 

COpy 

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lOP. SECRET SAM81,. 

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND 

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA, 68113 

REPLY TO 

ATTN OF: CINC 

SUBJECT, Project Van Winkle 

TO: Director, ~ National Reconnaissance Office 

9 AUG 1968 

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 14 00075660D 

1. The actions requested in your 25 August 1967 letter regarding long 

term storage of Program 206 equipment at Vandenberg AFB have been 

completed. Building 1538 on Vandenberg AFB is the storage facility and 

has been approved for this purpose by the Director of Special Projects, 

OSAF. 

2. Action has been taken to insure that each succeeding Commander of 

the Strategic Air Command, and the Commander, 1 Strategic Aerospace 

Division, Vandenberg AFB is aware of this storage and all restrictions 

related thereto. General Carlton, new Commander, 1 STRATAD and I have 

been briefed and understand our responsibilities. 

I Ul1iW1UIIHIIIIIII 111(1 II 111111111111 lillI/II III """11111' II 

TOP 

Peace 

Handle via BY£MAN 

trul System IS our Profession 

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"[, ""tPPro~~ff~~ ~~~~~~: 2019/05/21 C051 0751 ~ Y E.1663/1~ 68 ~;; '>x~' "~: t,:"j _- :~': <:..>' :J ~., Lt.:.J ~ . 

DEPARTMENT OF THE A!R FORCE /1[( I 

DIRECTORATE OF SPECIAL PROJECTS (OSAF) l I 

AF UNIT POST OFFICE, LOS ANGELES, CALiFORNIA 90045 

11111111111111111111 11 111111111111111111111111111111111111 1111III 14 ooo75661D 

6 March 1968 

SP-l 

Long Term Storage of GAMBIT Hardware at Vandenberg FB 

. (Project Van Winkle) 

DNRO (Dr. Flax) 

.--,--~-~--....! 

1. All actions have been completed with respect to placement of two 

; sets of subject hardware and associated documentation in long term 

: storage at Vandenberg AFB, California, for eventual release to the 

Air Force Museum and Smithsonian Institute. 

2. This equipment has been transferred to the 1 st Strategic Aerospace 

. Division (SAC) and is now located in VAFB Building 1538 where it will 

. remain under the custody of the 51 st Munitions Maintenanc e Squadron 

(SAC) until released by the Secretary of the Air Force. 

3. Transmitted herewith are copies of the following documents which 

have been stored with subject hardware. 

a. GAMBIT Program Summary Report 

b. Microfilm copy of Summary Report Appendices (six rolls). 

(All documents placed in storage are void of any security classification 

; markings. ) 

4. In addition, a signed copy of the Project Van Winkle Memorandum 

' of Agreement between the Commander, 1 st Strategic Aerospac e Division 

(SAC) and Deputy Commander of SAMSO for Satellite Programs (AFSC) 

is attached along with signed copies of the required DD Form 1149, Requisition and Invoi ce/Shipping Document, which identify the specific items 

of hardware plac ed in storage. 

~/~~ JOHN L. MARTIN, JR. ~ Brigadier General, USAF 

Director 

;" \ I"lC 

~'2J0 .10 

'f ' i - ". ~< -· LY 

4 Atchs 

1. GAMBIT Program Summary 

Report 

2. Microfilm Copy of Appendices 

3. SAC/ AFSC Memo of Agreement 

4. DD Form 1149' s 

./,1 ,\ 

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