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SUBJECT NUMBER 

USCIB: 4.2/50 

Subject: 

Item 2 of the Agenda for the 3oth Meeting of USCIBEC, 

held on 26 May 1955. 

Exception to Provisions of USCIB Directive No. 15. 

The CHAIRMAN (Captain Taylor) introduced this item by explaining that 

the NSA member, while not recommending disapproval of the request of the 

Air Force member contained in USCIB 4.2/44, had asked that the matter be 

considered further as he is interested in obtaining a more precise idea of 

the responsibilities of the Division Commanders of the Continental Air 

Defense Command (CONAD). He then pre~ented Colonel John H. Mccann, USAF, 

Assistant Deputy Chief of Starr, Intelligence, CONAD, stating that Colonel 

Mccann would brief the members on the mission and responsibilities of CONAD. 

(~: At this point, Colonel Mccann presented a detailed picture of 

the CONAD organization, mission, and responsibilities w.i.th particular 

emphasis on the role played by the Air Defense Division Commanders.) 

At the conclusion of Colonel McCann 1s presentation the CHA.IRMAN asked 

the NSA member if the presentation had provided the information he desired. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK replied that he is still somewhat in doubt as to 

whom the CONAD Division Commanders would have occasion to disseminate 

Category III and II COM.INT. ' 

LT. COLONEL HARROLD expressed. his view that it is not a question of 

dissemination but one of taking action. He cited as an example the fact 

that the Commander might be required only to scramble aircraft. USCIB 

Directive No. 15, he continued, provides the Commander of a Numbered 

Air Force with authority to determine the existence of emergency conditions justifying exceptional handling of individual items of Category III 

and II COMINT. It is the Air Force view, he concluded, that the 

responsibilities of the Division Commanders of CONAD, as outlined by 

Colonel Mccann, substantiate their need to be vested with the requested 

authority. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK responded that taking action is one form of 

dissemination but authority for exceptional dissemination includes many 

things in addition to taking action. 

MR. POLYZOIDES remarked that he did not clearly understand what the 

Committee would be protecting by denying the Air Force request and 

suggested. that the NSA member identify the specific point at issue. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK replied that the basic issue is the difference 

between authority to take action and authority to disseminate. 

USCIB: 4.2/50 -4-

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 03-10-2014 pursuant to E. 0. 1352B 

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USCIB: 4.2/50 

MR. GODEL stated that we are talking about an emergency of sufficient 

gravity to justify exceptional dissemination of Category III COMINT. 

The CHAIRMAN suggested that the members briefly review the provisions 

of USCIB Directive No. 15 to see if the responsibilities of the Division 

Commanders of CONAD substantiate the Air Force recommendation that they be 

designated as exceptions to the lowest level of authority permitted to 

deterinine the existence of an emergency justifying the exceptional handling 

of individual items of COMINT. It appears, he continued, that if we agree 

that the Division Commanders have such responsibilities then we are 

obliged to honor the request of the Air Force member. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK recommended that USCIB go on record as authorizing 

the Division Commanders of CONAD to take action but denying authority to 

disseminate. 

MR. POLYZOIDES referred to paragraph IV 2 o! USCIB Directive No. 15 

which lists the lowest level of authority permitted to determine the 

existence of emergency conditions justifying exceptional dissemination and 

action. Continuing, he pointed out that the Air Force member, as well as 

Colonel Mccann during his presentation, had explained that, for the 

purposes of USCIB Directive No. 15, the responsibilities of the GONAD 

Division Commanders are the same as those of the Numbered Air Force 

Commanders. It therefore seems to me, he commented, that the Air Force 

request boils down to simply granting the Division Commanders of GONAD the 

same authority that has already been provided Numbered Air Force Commanders. 

LT. COLONEL HARROLD expressed an affirmative view and went on to 

point out that arrangements had not been made to furnish Category III 

material to the Air Defense Command at the time USCIB Directive No. 15 was 

approved. The organizational structure has since changed, he said, and 

GONAD Division Connnanders have been assigned responsibilities requiring 

the same authority as presently vested in Numbered Air Force Commanders. 

The CHAIRMAN noting that a majority appeared willing to reconnnend 

approval of the Air Force request, asked if there is anyone not willing to 

accept the majority view. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK said that he would bow to the will of the majority. 

The CHAIR restated the proposed decision recommending approval of 

the Air Force request in light of the foregoing discussion. 

CAPTAIN HOLTWICK voiced his concurrence subject to the understanding 

reached during this meeting and as reflected in the minutes. 

It was so agreed • 

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USCIB: 4.2/50 - 5 -
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USCIB: 4.2/50 

REF ID:A58391 

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DECISION: (26 May 1955) USCIBEC with the understanding that Air Defense 

Division Commanders of CONAD have responsibilities comparable to those 

Commanders of Numbered Air Forces, and further that such Division Commanders 

may need to take action based upon COMINT of any Category to protect the 

vital interests of the United States, agreed to recommend approval of the 

request contained in USCIB 4.2/44 of 21 April 1955 and consequent amendment 

of the subject Directive. 

USCIB: 4.2/50 - 6 -

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