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Reterences: 

5 December 1961 

JUnctions and BeaPgD81billt1es 

ot the 

BatioJJ&l RecoDDlL1ssance O~1ce i!ti-

(a) Secreta.l-¥ o~ De~ense TOP SEC:D.r memorand., subJect: 

<-> A88istant tor RecoDDa18&allCe, dated September 6, 1961" 

w1 th attached Department ot De:tel1Se-Central IntellileJlce 

Aaenq Agreement. 

(b) Deput7 Secreta.'r7 o~ Defense mp SBCDT meJIIOr8D41B, 

subJect: Space Vehicle Electromcs Iatell1pnee Program, 

elated October 20, 1961, 14th attaclmlent. 

De:t1n1tl0Da : 

1111). lfatloD&l ReeoDDais88Dce O:r.t1'Ce, as establ.lshed b7 

reference (a). 

- lIatlOD&1 Reeoxm&18S&l1Ce Program, as det'1Ded b7 re:rereJlCe 

(a) to conslst of all ayert and cowrt Oftrtllsht pro~ect8 

tor 1Dtelll,ence, Seodeq, and mappiDs photofP'apbir and 

electronic signal collection. 

rxJD/AH - AsBistant -ror Reconnaissance to the Secretal7 of Def'eD8e, 

established and delegated to the· Under Secretal1" of the 

.Air Parce b7 reference (a) J Director of the ~t of 

Deteue part at the DO. 
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DDP/A - DepU't7 Director (PlaDs) of the Centr&1 Intelligence AcenCTJ 

Director ot· the Agenq part ot the DO. 

STC - Satellite Test Center -. Air 'orce opel'&tiol'l8 center at 

~e., California -rQr the on-orbit contzool. ot satelll tee. 

JOC - Aircraft Operations Center - .A:I.r Force operatIons office Wi thin 

Policy: 

thePentason for control.· ot special aircratt operations • 

... Mission Operations Group - A partot the 110 in the 

Pentagon W1ch pl.ans specitic m1ssionsl determ1.Des tarptB 

to be covered by specific missioD" ad exercises BJI) operatlODal 

control. during missions., throuch the STC or ADO. 

The -rollO'W1q plan outlines basie pol.iq !'or the eatab118lm1ent of 

functions aDd res:paaid.bUi ties w:l. thin the .tioJJ&1 Reco!l1l&j ssatlCe O:rtice 

to insure that the p&'rticular talents,· experiQCe aud capabUi ties 1d.thiD 

the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence J,pnq are tull7 

and most e:tf'ecti'ftl.7 utU1zed in the estab11sllment, lIISDaS-.ent &D.Cl 

eonduct ot the lIatlonal RecoDD&1ssance Prosr~. 

1. K!5emem.. 

a. The techll1cal !!DY_ent respollS1blli t7 ~ all IRP 

proJects (0'Yert and ccrtert) 18 assigned to the JXJD/AB. 

(1) To proy1de for tu1l use ot a"l&l.lable capab1l1ties ad 

resources, aDd to provide tor 1nten-&ce nth data exploitation equ1p1e1lt 

developaeDt by .asenc1es outside the 111>, Kav and ArIq repreaentatlTes 

'Will be assigned, on a .tu1l.-time basiS" to appropriate positi0D8 W1th1n 

the JIR) under the J1JD/ Alt. 'l'JJe7 v.Ul be teclm1ca1.~ qlI8li11ed in electrold.c 

2 ,....... ... '-'. '-.. 
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UI ..... -. ~ '" '. .-_1 

s1gual collection WOrk and in mappins and geodeq,. respectl'ftl7, and haTe 

IRO ~3ect re~1b11itie. In these areas. 

(2) A tirm lla.1.80n cbaJmel between the JII) and BSA. 1d.ll De 

established as an adJunct to the teclm:Lca1 lII&D8pIIL8nt structure ot 81pa1. 

co11ectlon p:roJects" and the conduct of such proJects ca.'l'Tled out in 

accordance w1 th the EA responsibUI ties described In reference (b). 

PJann1 l1& lfill. eDCODlJIIII8 maximum utU1zat1on. of the kY7 teClmica1 l'.88O'U'Ces 

to support the electromc slgq1. collection pros:ra:u. 

b. F1 "!pcial Jll!D!l!Bent 

(1) With respect to fUrJds, the OOD/Alt "W1ll be re8p0D81ble 

tor all. proJects at the JIRP. Funds v.U1 be allocated. on an 1ndl"t1.411&l 

proJect basis and will appear as approprlatel7 claas1t1ed line items in 

the Air J'orce budget. 

(2) With respect to'COJ1tracts, all IBP project contracts 

w:Ul be the responslbll1't1' at 'OOD/AR, as a neces8&l7 corol.l.ar7 to the 

asslglbent of teclm1cal. -zmcement re8pOJl8iblliq to DOD/Alt. lIowYer, 

covert ("black") cOlltracta Which prorlde cOYer for or enhance the secur1 t7 

of specific proJects mq be tbe responsib1l1t, at the DDP/A 1IheJl the 

rxmj AR and the D1JP/ A agree that such action otters a preferable route._ 

This includes establ.ishment at dUJlD'Q' COr.poratioDS, etc., to 'prorlde coyer 

tor COTert operatl0.,and ~ other contractu.]. action 1d11ch is JJeCe88&1'7 

tor the lIP aDd which can be proyidecl in a p~erred -.uner 'b7 the Jgen-q. 

2. Secur1tz. The DDP/ A w.Ul be respoulble for the o-.vaU aecurl t7 

poliq for the •• tlOD&1 lfeconrra1ssance Progra. Under tlde OWl'8ll pollC7, 

secur1 't7ot the KRP vUl be adm1 n1stered tor DOD b.Y' OOD/ JB, throu&b coDtl'ol 

ottlcers 111 the JCS, Anq', Air Force,. ad Bav· S~8, the DIA &1J4the .SA. 

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...... , 

For the collection programs I t1n8l need-to-lmow ft11d&tlon authortt7 1d.ll 

be the responslbUl1i7 Of OOD/ Alt. 

3. Opratiol18: 

The mission. schedule for all ImP eftbrts 

Y1ll be the sole :responslbUi V of 00»/ AJt, 1:acuudiDg the obtai ttl». ot 

&1JPl'Opriate clea:rances where :re¢red. 

b. !1lfJP9Pra.tiou: 

(1) A member ot the mD/AIt offlce w1J.1 be deaigrlated as 

~.of alll.llian Operations Group _> Vh1ch Y.l.ll baveTri-Ben1ee, 

.SA and CIA representation on a f'ull-tiJRe. baS18~.}, The JI)G Will 1Iaye. am'Ule 

the cc.p.lete BclIedUle8&Dd teclm1c&l. 'CQabUlti~~ of all of the 8eD8Gr 

systems of all. JltP proJects, and aeco\D1ts of the complete caterllCe obta1Md 

b7 all sensor S78teru of these proJects, 011 a continuous 'buls. Tlal8 groUp 

w1ll. estabJ.lsh the pre-launch tal'getiug selection tor all recQJQI&1 oaw:e 

proJects of the DP, and Ylll transa1t this 1J1tormatlon toa secure a.peratious 

control room at the STC for satelllte missl0D8, ana. to the .AOC tor fiircratt 

mesioD. The operations control. room at the STC w1ll control. all satelll te 

miasiOll8, respondilJl to o)er&tloD&l eleCi8loDS h'om. the JI)G 1u Wa8h1J11ton, 

and eq1neerll18 deciSiOns trca the proJect director at the 8'fC .. 

(2) The officer in charp ot the O}Jer&tlOl18 coD.tl-ol rqca at 

the STC en- AOe v.lll be soJ.e responalble qent to Dm/ A1t to aaAre JPtCea8U7 

actious 'W'.I. th the misstoll Teh1cl.e as well 88 Y.l th tile groUDd eJIY1:ro __ t to 

parlm1 ze the probabUiv ot ~ out the mi8.iOll in eOD:tcmlaD.ee ldth 

inatructiou ar the JIlG. AJJ7. req\d.red tunct10ua :rel&t1118 to -..eld.ele .-..1 
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,

IC ~.' .... .r"': .. ,. ~ 

Tv ~. e.: ~>' .. ';' .!.-I 

pq10ad operation cluriD& a misstonl such as p1a7-backsl qrblt or route 

chaqes J til tel's ,ete., wUl be the Bole respoulbUiq ot the ofticer 

1Jl chaTge of the STC or AOC contrOl room. 

(3) , To prorlde & basis hr the continuous· operation of the 

JI)G, there w1ll be in the Pentagon a comprel1eDJJ1-.e dispJ.q so tlIat tbe 

JI)G can mon1 tor each mission and make decisiODB baed on all factors 

in'YOJ. ved., such as weather). target COTerage I .' cl\Imce in mission si tuatiOD.1 

poJ.itical. situation, or new intelligence data. The 1Jd.t1al decuion u 

to which targets to cover with eIlCh specific mission Will be -.de "b7 tile 

JC)G and w:L1l be baaed. on intomatioll traa this displJQ'. !he" YUl. __ 

all target1Ds dec1sioDS 4uriug satellite missions,. and give &jIJI41)pr1&te 

instructions to tlle project director at tbe STe in this rep;rd. Declsicms 

based. on eDg!J.ieeriDs factors w1ll be ]arOYided b7 the proJect director at 

the 8'J.'C or AOC ad Y.lll OTerride contlictiJJ& 1DStru.etiolUl t:rGa the 1IXl. 

Be8pOl18ib1l1tT tor..u tunctions ot the JIlG Y1ll rest with the -mD/Alt" Who 

v.l.ll. proTide the ~ of the JI)G. 

0-. 7cn'JDatt+M- The OOD/ AI. w1ll be ~.apcma1ne tor tJae toaatt1Jag 

ot the co.lleeted.1IP ~t cs :to110118: 

. (1) Photographic to:rmattl_ wU1 1l1cJ.ude the 1Jd.tlai 

c:hem.icaJ.. processlug, ti tliDg, production ... tel1YC7 to the ue:t8 &8 

apec1fted b7 the tlBIlI. 

(2) llectroJlic s1_ data tomatt1'U1 Y.l.ll 1Jiel.lf4e t1ae 

decc:.mtta.tiOI1, ao~lon/ teclm:l.c&lcqrreetla and recoutrllct101l o~ thecollected slgd&1 c1ata to 7-LeJ.d a ua1)le collect1ou product. ·WIJrJ/ AIt 

w1l1 del1'Yer t)Je folWAtted eoJlectioD procluet) together· with usoc1ated data 

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nece~ ~ ex.tiL-oltatiOll, to the ISA or other user as a.pec1t1ed b7 the tIID. 

d. Bpsiueeripl :'D!SJ'818. The lKJD/ AR. will be re8p0Ji81'ble fOr 

ensineer:l.ug 8.1I&Q's1s of all collection 8'1stems to correct the probl.. tlIat 

exist on the operat1Dg qatem as well as to plVYide iDtormatlOl1 tor new 87Btems. 

4. The pr1Ia&r7 respouibW V ror ad'YaIlced ~ (post cr 1962) tor all 

UP proJects 1.as«dped to the OOD/AB. 

5. b usn Y.lll eatabl1ah or ftl1date &U requlrem.enta for the DP 

ad establ.1sh broad project and ~ target priorities. Ilowever, tlJq w1l1 . -. 

Dot determine scbedules, or determ:l.ne taqets ~or pa:rt1cul.ar misslou. COJI)lt 

Y1ll not -be ilQOl Ted with the lU10 or ImP 6 except as requ1red to adT1ae USIB 

in the determ.1rJationot ImP requirementsaud bro&d.pr1oritl... Selection ot 

targets for apeeif'ic mi.SiODS 8.Jld target decls10u durlD8 60Dduct at-missions 

Y.I.ll. be made b7 the Ill) b.r mea.na o~ the JI)G preri.o~ dd¢bed.~ aiDa U8I:B 

requirements, priori ties U1d target lists. 

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TI'EltT 

Discussion ot lIatlonaJ. Reconuaissance O:t:r1ce . :BUlcPollq . 

lte:rereJice: iSSH paper entitled l'unetions and BesponslbUlties of tbe· 

lfatioDal RecoDD&1ssauce Office -fmT; dated December 5, ~961. 

Objectives: 

The basie objective lead1lJ8 to the estabJ.ishment of the lUI) has been 

ta tormal.l.7 organize certain elements ot the DOD and the ·CU in a manner 

which will illSl.1re that the particular talents, experience and ·capabUl ties 

wi thin these two orsanizatioDS Y1ll. be tul.l7 and most ettecti veq .tUized 

in the estab11sl:allent, lIIaDBgem.en:t and ooD.duct of the ImP. The obJective 

of the paper referenced abOTe is to establish basic po~lC7 eoncerDiDg the 

functions and responsibilities v.I. thin the 1lI), to assure that the tuDetioning of the OU1ee is based upon the assipment ot clear andspecit1e 

responslbi~l tIes,; it proTides tor Joint parlicipation but &'VOids aasipm.ent 

ot ~it proJect responsibilities. 

The plu ot action eontsplated is to establish the basic polia.r 

which is descripti Te of the eventual. functicm1ug of the lUtO, 1f1 tbout 

regard to preyiousl.1' established .,.cif1e projects 'Which, at present, __ 

not . conf'orm to this pollq. Follow.l.Dg this, it is proposed. that the 

indiYidual. . Pl'OJects not presentlT in coDforance with this pollq be 

expj ned separately' aDd decisions made in each case coneerniDg the 

transition from the preseIlt organization atad responsibilities to tbose set 

forth in tlle ret"erenced pol.icy paper, or to exceptions which..,. be 

pemi tted tor various reasons. Accorc1.1.Jlsq 1 the basic poliq 18 41scused 
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in the follolfiDg paragraphj followed· b7 a discussion of the trust tion period 

~d exceptions which attect specific proJects. 

Basic Pollq: 

The basic poliC7 described by the referenced paper ~sents an eventual 

assignment of functions and responsibilities based lX,POli the 1Dbe:rent capabilities 

of the CIA and DOD. It is also based on conslderation o"r present capalaUit7 of 

the DOD in regard to streaml1ned Jll8.D8gement ot h1shl7 lens! t1ve act! T1 ties ¥ 

Inc1ud1lls the necess&r7 contractual ablllq to conduct such seD8itiveproJects 

under special. s8curl V • It includes consideration of experience .p:l.Ded b7 DOD 

persODUel. while asslsting the Agen~ il1 the conduct of proJ ects 1111 tlated prior 

to establishment at these DOD C&pabUi ties. 

The basic po11q eDYisions that the tecbnieal. lII&lJIIpIIleJ1t respoXl81bUiv 

should be assigned spec1tical.l7 to the oon/ AR. The ApnC7' sbould not be 

lnvol. ved in the research and deTelopilent ot proJects wi thin the DP or in the 

technical JlaDaSeDlent. ot these projects. Since teclm:Lcal ~t inclUdes 

contro1 of flmds and contracts, the responsibU! t7 tor these is al.8o _siped 

to the JXJD/AR. ProTision is made within the basic pol.lq ~or acme contraetl1&l 

action by the AgenC7 vh1ch provides cover tor or tiIlwlces the 8eC\1ri V of 

specific proJectsl when the Joint d1:rectors ot the IRO agree that such action 

otf'ers a :preferable route. In this lD8n ne r I the basic poliq proVides tOr the 

inclusion in the I1tP of arr:I action tbat is possible UDder the authori. ties ot 

the two agencies COIlCerIled" while estab11sh.iIJg specific assipJaeDt ot project 

re8p0D8ib111t7 tor the DP,.COl1Sistent with tl1e iDherent capabllities aud 

experience of the CIA and the DOD. 

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The DDP/A w1ll be responsible tor the eltabl1s~t ot 'OY8l'all sa_itT 

for the entire DP. This v:lll iDsure that tull adftlltace is taken 0'1 Agenq 

experience in co'Yert and sensitiye wrk. 

The Agenq and 'Y&rious el.ements ot the DOD w:lll all be in'Yol'fed in 

the operatioD8 ot the ImP; bowever, since these OperatloDS will 11lY01"Ye tor 

the lIOSt part DOD persoDJ1el., resources, and DOD experience in the plamrl "S 

and carI71Ds out 0'1 operational missions 1 the specific DO ~spcmaibUit7 tor 

operat1oDSvUl be assigned to the DOD/ AR. The basic poliq pNVides tor 

the establ.islDlent ot a lI:l.asioDS Ope:ratlons Group vi th mem.be1tship troDl the 

interested aseDCies under the cbairmaDship ot a member ot the lX)D part ot 

the IJI). This &l'l'aD&aent iDBures Joint participation vh1le ret&1DiDc clear 

and specific ass1gmaent ot respoJl81bUl t7. 

Exceptions, and. Trans1 tioD ot Specific Projects: 

De tollow1.Dg CQJIDIlents pertain to the tra1lsi tioD. period, tor ce:tta1n 

proJects to bring them into contorm1't7 Y1 th the basic po1iC7,. and to ac.e 

exceptions which should be made in the calle ot others: 

1. ~pr1ate directives Y.l.ll be pre;pa.red to transter the total 

tec1m:1cal responsibUIt7 t:or the .AlIKm, MUBAL and CADS (-av) prosraa to 

the DJD/ Alt. To p:roy1de for continui tT" and to provide for Inter.tace With 

data exploitation equ1paent deTelOpmeJlt b7 asencies outside the Ill> I .&"7 

and ArIq. representatiTeS w:Ul be assigned, on a tu.ll-t1me basi.1 to appropriate 

posi tiona wi thin the Ill) under the rxm/ AR. Th.q w1l1 'be teclm1caJ.q qualified 

in electronic s1pa1. collection 'WOrk aDd in mapp1Dg and geodeq., :respecti ~, 

aDd haTe DO proJect responsibilities in these areas. 

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2. PollOYiug transfer ot tecbD1ca1. lIIIUl8geaent respoJJ8ibilltiee ror 

the CAI1II program, as mentioned abaTe, this program w1ll be lII&1I8&ed b7 

the DO uslDg the &$De Ra97 teelmieal resources presen't.q eDppd in 

this program. Contract administration tor the CAlEB prograa Y.1l1 be 

del.egated to and rem&:I.n With the Xav through CY 1962 and formattlDB 

responsibUi V Ylll reuaa1n with I'BA and the KaY7 throup the end of' CY 62, 

b711h1ch time this prograa, &8 a sep&l"&te entlq,. will be coapleted. 

3. In regard· to securi v,- the need-to-lmoy responslbUi t7 ror 

COltOIA, .AllGOI",_ JIURAL AID CAlES w:I.ll remain as currentl.7 CODSti tuted 

untU detaUed phasills prosram from the exiatlDg securitJ' qatem can be 

worked out on a p:roJect-b7-proJ eet basis b7 the securi t7 persoD.Del. or 

the DO. 

.... Tbe existing AlIlO. c1ataex.plo1tat1on ttmd requirement v1U be 

el.1m1nated as an item. ot the DP: The.AlO). exploitation equ1~nt 

and mission w1ll be traDsterred tzoa the present contractor to 1rJq Map 

Service,. UDder the operational. control. ot DU. 

5. Since the COROa progra is near17 ccapleted, (two tlipts 

re.'nfug) it i8 excepted :r.rom the bUlcpol.lC1' and DO chimp 'W111 'be made 

in the present &naugements in effect tor this proga. 

6. All other existins projects ot the ImP will. be traultloued into 

conformance nth the basic po1iC7, at the earliest practicable date, on 8Il 

ind1v1dU&l proJect-b7-proJect basis, Y1th the pace and detat18 of the 

transi tiOD detel"Jllined· b7 the Directors or the DO. 

It.