476-10041-10063 JFK Assassination System , Date: $/5/2016 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: NARA RECORD NUMBER: 176-10011-10063 RECORD SERIES: NSF AGENCY FILENUMBER: 4 Document Information ORIGINATOR: DOD FROM: HARRIS, BENJAMIN TO: CHIEF OF OPERATIONS TITLE: MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS DATE: 07/23/1962 PAGES: 12 SUBJECTS : ; ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT ’ CLASSIFICATION: — Top Secret RESTRICTIONS: 1 CURRENT STATUS:  Redact DATE OF LASTREVIEW: 05/08/1998 OPENING CRITERIA: UPON AGENCY REVIEW COMMENTS : NSF:M&M:SPECIAL GROUP(AUGMENTED):7/62:BOX 319:PENDING NLK-90-48 v9.1 17
- od ee See <2 mo “7 fe “TOP SECRET "OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF: DEFENSE WASHINGTON 25, D.C. 23 July 1962 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF > OF OPERATIONS, OPERATION MONGOOSE Subject: End of Phase I | In response to the questions posed in your memorandum of ll July 1962, subject: End of Phase I, I have prepared 5 paragraphs each of which is directly responsive to your questions: 1. Statement of What DOD Hoped to Accomplish During Phase I. a. DOD hoped to provide all required support to CIA, State and USIA necessary to the accomplishment of. the objectives of Operation Mongoose during Phase I. b. DOD hoped to accomplish all the planning and essential | preliminary actions necessary to establishing a decisive capability for US. Military intervention.in Cuba. 2. Accomplishments in Phase I[.. a. ‘Establishment of a DOD Working Group. A Brigadier General was appointed to full time duty as the DOD/JCS Repre- ‘sentative to handle Mongoose affairs. Each of the Services, . JCS Directorates and DIA appointed full time representation to serve on the Working Group. Each of these representatives — has. direct access to his Chief or,. in the case of the Services, the Opetation Deputies as well. Office space cleared for Top Secret information was established in the Joint Staff area, and secretarial help was assigned. b. Establishment and Operation of an Interrogation Center | _at Opa Locka, Florida, on 15.February 1962. DOD assisted ‘CIA in-the initial planning for and the establishment of the Interrogation Center. Since the inception of the Center,: the DOD has provided personnel support to the Center. by furnish - ing 26.personnel. (15. officers and ll enlisted men) out of a total . of 37. personnel. manning the Center. . Excluded from automatic - " Yegrading: DoD Dir 5200.10 ‘TOP SECRET - does not apply
CY. ar 4 TOP SECRET 'PT Boats. DoD. reconditioned a PT boat for ‘possible use by CIA. In addition, DOD obtained certain data on. characteristics and costs of PT boats manufactured by other _ countries. d. Voice. Radio Broadcasts froma Submarine, DOD made a submarine available to CIA for the conduct of voice radio broadcasts near Cuba by the CIA. e, Overflights of Cuba. DOD has conducted several reconnaissance and photographic missions over Cuba for the CIA. ' f. Utilization.of AVON-PARK, Florida, by CIA as a Base for the Training of Cuban Refugees. DOD investigated the feasibility of using certain facilities at AVON-PARK for the training of Cuban refugees.in guerrilla warfare. g- Oil Drum Mines. DOD transferred 40 oil drum mines to CIA. oe ee , L h. Detail of an Officer to CIA. DOD detailed an officer to duty with CIA to be in charge of small boat operations at Miami, Florida. “i. Contingency Plan for ¢ Overt US Military Intervention _in Cuba. In order to insure a decisive US military capability for overt military intervention in Cuba, CINCLANT's regular contingency plan for Cuba has been updated. Attempts are being made to reduce the réaction time required for imple- ‘mentation of this Plan, without piecemeal commitment of US. forces. j- Alternate Contingency Plan for Overt US Military Inter - -vention in Cuba. CINCLANT developed an alternate plan which accomplished a reduction.in reaction time but requires piece - meal commitment of forces. In order to reduce the risk in- -herent in. such.an operation CINCLANT is: seeking means for reduction of the reaction time without piecemeal commitment. k. Cover and Deception Plan. This plan has been developed for the purpose of covering the prepositioning of forces allocated. to the contingency plans for overt military intervention.in Cuba. TOP SECRET
go - & TOP SECRET “It also includes means designed to provoke Cuban reaction and thus act as.a triggering device for US intervention. 1.. Air Strikes Against Cuba. A plan has been developed for the use of airpower. only following a national policy decision, to suppress. and/or neutralize Cuban forces pending the execu- tion of an assault or to be.executed in support of an internal revolt. , ‘7? om. Air and Sea Blockade of Cuba. .A plan has been develop- ed for the complete air and sea blockade of Cuba within 48 hours after decision. _n. Civil Affairs and Military Government. An outline plan providing guidance for the conduct of civil affairs.and for a provisional military government for Cuba has been prepared. o. DOD's Position as to its Stake and Proposed. Role in the Removal of the Communist Regime from Cuba. This paper - included a statement of-conditions under which Defense believes that overt military intervention in Cuba could be accomplished without leading to general war and without serious offense to public opinion. é 1} P- BW/CW Capabilities. A paper was prepared listing the things that can be done against Cuba in BW/CW field. - q. Air Re-supply. Four aircraft and crews have been readied for air re-supply missions over Cuba. r. Risk Estimate. An estimate was prepared concerning the risk involved in air re-supply missions over Cuba. s. Manufacture of Soviet Aircraft. A survey was made con- cerning the US capability for the covert t production. of facsimiles of Soviet aircraft. t. Military Intelligence. A detailed list of Essential Elements _of Information was prepared in February 1962 covering the require - ments of the Caribbean Survey Group and CINCLANT and was levied | on the Intelligence Community for fulfillment. Reconnaissance . activities consisting of overhead reconnaissance, air patrols, electronic collection and special operations were implemented. Specific intelligence requirements to be used in the interrogation of knowledgeable refugeés. covering items of military, political TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET and economic interest were provided to the Caribbean Admission Center, Opa Locka, Florida. Ali information obtained from. these _ sources. was processed through the Intelligence Community's ‘channels. The flow of information concerning Cuba has been greatly improved as a result of these efforts. However, gaps still exist, particularly in details of military order of battle. Increased efforts.are being made to fill these gaps. u. Utilization of US Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for Joint Navy/CIA Intelligence Operations. DOD investigated the possibility of using Guantanamo as a base of operations for the collection of national level intelligence, in light of the present policy limitations and possible policy changes in the future. v. Establishment of ''Patrol Posts" in the Caribbean. In response to a request from the Chief of Operations, Operation Mongoose, DOD examined the possibility of establishing “patrol posts" in the Caribbean. | w. Psychological Operations: A survey was conducted ' in an attempt to increase Naval Base Guantanamo's role in psychological operations. As a result .special OSD funds. were . made available for Special baseball sportscasts over the base radio station. 3, Operational Estimate of the Potential for Intelligence Colléction. ' a. Reconnaissance - a summary of the Cuban reconnaissance operation is given below: , Completed : | Vehicle _ Code Word. .. Frequency WV-2Q Melrose 13 A3D-2P/2Q © ‘Fitbolt 4 USS Moale © Operation 19 Mar - 12 Apr 62 RB 47 1 May 62 — Submarine /UDU. ; 5 - 6 May 62 ‘Continuing - - F3D-2Q Call Money = 6: -: 11 per month AD-5Q Sleepwalker _ 2 per month C -130 "  *" Quick Fox 10 per month . A3D-2P De 6-8 per month Navy DD 7 daily Navy P-2V twice daily TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET _In addition to these, there are two special operations per month... The results of all this reconnaissance are satis- . factory as far as producing air and navy order of battle information. However, against ground order of battle, they are not able to contribute too much. b. Refugee Interrogation - Although the quantity of refugees processed at Opa Locka has not diminished, the V quality of the information that they have available is not as . good as in.the past. Particularly in the area.of military intelligence, very.few refugees.can make major contribu- tions. Occasionally, they do fill some gaps in military V intelligence and they make considerable contribution in other areas. Therefore, this effort should be continued. c. Electronic Intelligence - The existing program is ' y producing limited information; however, it is. suffering from not only the insufficiency of the effort but also from the recent shift to more sophisticated communication y systems by the Cubans. The approved new program should overcome these difficulties and provide increased informa - tion in the following, areas: v Or gariization. and deployment of (Cuban Army, Navy, Air Force and Militia. v Troop, ship.and air movements. Tactics and training Cuban armed forces. -. Patrolling and policing information on locations, installation or equipment. Materiel employed by Armed Forces. "Evidence of Sino-Soviet Bloc technical support, training, volunteers.and of the presence of Sino-Soviet _ _military materiel (vessels) or aircraft. Activities of Department of State security. Evidences of GOC interception of Cuban resistance forces communications. yo 5 TOP SECRET -
TOP SECRET Clandestine operations of Cuban government in the United States. and other American Republics. Information on sabotage, dissident activity and _ defection of Cuban ships and/or personnel. Restrictive or punitive policies to be applied to Cuban nationals or their property in Cuba. Strikes, slow-downs and labor problems. Location and movements of principal Cuban govern - ment, military and para-military personalities. _ Plots against prominent figures. Reactions to probes, special activities and recon- naissance flights. \ Surveillance of the possible operations against Naval Base at Guantanamo. Organization, deployment and capability of Cuban com- munications. d. Clandestine - The Intelligence Community has put con - siderable effort into improving their clandestine collection '{. capabilities. against the target island. However, these operations suffer from the lack of a definite target date and objective. With, an open-end operation, such as Project Mongoose, specific military order of battle. information is largely perishable especially when © the Armed Forces are in a constant state of reorganization, re- groupment and redeployment. About. 25 per cent of all reports on Cuba received from clandestine sources prove to be of definite value. Collection of information through third-country sources varies | widely as.to quality. The number and competence of observers |and the specific collection. requirement levied on-the third-country source determine the value of the information obtained. Some very valuable information on specific items have resulted from this effort and this source should continue to be ‘exploited. TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET e.- Summary - Our. knowledge of Cuban military order of battle, especially ground order of battle, has-dropped off con- siderably in recent weeks. Changes in unit organization and in the numbering system as well as the militia nature of the organi- zation itself make OB material perishable. Until-such time as a definite target date and objective is set making it possible to inject a sufficient quantity of trained observers into the area with specific targets, this situation will probably continue. 4. Estimate of the Potential for Military’Operations within:Cuba - [fo a policy decision be made to militarily. intervene in ‘Cuba, the U.S. could: a. With 18 days of preparation, execute a coordinated airborne- ‘amphibious assault which it is anticipated would gain control of key “military installations and the principal centers of population of Cuba ‘within 10 days and result in minimum US and.Cuban casualties. b. Should the situation demand, ‘@ piecermeal commitment of US forces could be made with reaction times approximately as follows: '. 2 Airborne Divisions - ’ 5 days (para-drop units only) - 4 Marine BLTS - 7- 8 days Following Forces. _- 15.- 18 days ' (This operation.would involve a dangerous element of risk. ) c. In conjunction with either. of the actions described in a and b, bove, cover and deception plans have been.developed which, if executed, ould result in prepositioning of forces-assigned to the invasion of Cuba nd could thereby result.in an over-all. reaction time of approximately 12 days for a coordinated assault. d. Air strikes could be conducted against selected targets in Cuba within 6, 12 or 24 hours; the time dependent upon aircraft ' availability and desired intensity of attack, _e, Air-sea blockade can be initiated, within 24 hours with effective- ness increasing to a complete blockade within approximately 48 hours. 5. Factors Worth Considering :in Deciding on One of the Following Four Courses of Action for the United States to Follow in Relation to Cuba: a. Cancel ope rational plans; treat Cuba as a Bloc nation; protect -Hemisphere from it. 7 TOP SECRET
J v TOP SECRET Advantages . . - . 2 (1). This would be temporarily economical in terms of funds, equipment and allocation of forces. (2) It would demonstrate the US devotion to the principle of non- intervention. ; Disadvantage s (1) This would be an acceptance of a Communist bridgehead in the Western Hemisphere and an admission that there was nothing that the United States could or would do about it. © (2). This would be damaging to the prestige of the United States and would weaken the will to resist or fight against communism in:Cuba, Latin America and elsewhere. (3) It would increase the probability of the establishment of Soviet military, base(s) in-Cuba which could ultimately prove to. be an unacceptable threat to the security of the United States. (4) It would become increasingly difficult to protect the United States or the Western Hemisphere as. Cuban military force capabilities increase. (5) It would prevent the United States.from assuming a posture which would permit exploitation of any "breaks" that may develop ~~ within Cuba. , (6) It would permit. the Castro Communist regime to consolidate its gains and become even more firmly entrenched. (7) It might encourage the Communist regime to become even more bold in exporting communism to Latin America. (8) It would permit the Castro regime to prepare at its own pace the exportation of their revolution © to other: Latin American countries. (9) It. could eventually cost. billions of dollars.as US defense forces would have to.be developed or shifted to meet the increasing threat.from the’ South. TOP SECRET
‘TOP SECRET. (10) It would virtually assure the permanent existence of a Gommunist base for subversion. and espionage throughout. the ‘Western. Hemisphere. -b. Exert all possible diplomatic,. economic, psychological and other. pressures to overthrow the Castro: Communist regime without overt US military commitment. : Advanta g es (1) Would demonstrate US devotion. to the principle of non rintervention. (2). Would be in accord with the UN:-charter and stated US Y policy regarding the non-use of military. force: in settling disputes. (3), Depénding upon the success of-the pressures, in the short term, it would conserve US military forces and resources. Disadvanteges (1); Except. in matter of degree, this: has essentially been v .the US policy since the severance-of-relations on 3-January 1962, and it. has not been successful. (2) This. would give the Soviets.time to develop.Cuba as a base for operations throughout the.Western-Hemisphere. (3) . It. would give the Communists further. time to develop military.bases which could cost the United.States billions of dollars. in.developing. appropriate: defenses. vo (4). This would require that US military-resources and forces be tied up indefinitely to protect:the Hemisphere against .the continuing Communist. threat." ” (5) . This. would permit the: continued indoctrination of Cuban -Youth and the progressive’ strengthening. of the internal police state and military. forces. These would-combine to make the threat to internal. revolt more rémote and the price of US inter- -vention more costly. - TOP SECRET -
TOP SECRET Clandestine operations of Cuban government in the United States. and other American Republics. Information on sabotage, dissident activity and _ defection of Cuban ships and/or personnel. Restrictive or punitive policies to be applied to Cuban nationals or their property in Cuba. Strikes, slow -downs and labor orobleras: Location and movements of principal Cuban govern - ment, military and para-military personalities. Plots against prominent figures. Reactions to probes, special activities and recon- naissance flights. \ Surveillance of the possible operations against Naval Base at Guantanamo. Organization, deploysnent and capability of Cuban com - munications. d. Clandestine - “The Intelligence Community has put con - siderable effort into improving their clandestine coltection , capabilities. against the target island. However, these operations suffer from the lack of a definite target date and objective. With. an open-end operation, such as Project Mongoose, specific military order of battle information is largely perishable especially when © the Armed Forces are ina constant state of reorganization, re- groupment and redeployment. About 25 per. cent of all reports on Cuba received from clandestine sources prove to be of definite value. Collection of information through third-country sources. varies widely as to quality. The number and competence of observers and the specific collection. requirement levied onthe third-country source determine the value of the information obtained. Some very | valuable information on specific items have resulted from this effort and this source should continue to be exploited. 6’ TOP SECRET
F TOP SECRET. c. Commit the United: States. to. help:the. Cubans: to overthrow _ the Castro: Gommunist. regime, with a step-by-step phasing to ensure success, including the use of US military: force if required. Advantages: , (1) Would permit the United States t -to.control the: ‘timing , of operations against. Cuba.and permit.a-progressive build-up which could be modified or terminated.as circumstances require. ; (2): It:would eventually show that.we are willing to back anti- communist efforts and it would reaffirm the Monroe Doctrine. , (3). US action ‘against. Cuba would.be more acceptable to ¥ world opinion as it would cast the. ‘United: States in. the role of .. aiding Cuban freedom fighters. (4) : Widespread . revolution would ‘simplify. some of the problems. of military intervention. (5). Revolution could produce leaders from. within Cuba who could constitute. the new Cuban government.: , | (6) ‘It would furnish new hope. and incentive to anti-communist . elements: inside and outside of Guba. : ve (7). It would be economical in terms of military resources and force's ‘by. obtaining maximum. support from the Cubans. (8) It. would. assure the eventual ousting. of the Castro Communist ¥Yepime. . Disadvantages yo (1) The time involved in this course permits additional Cubans to be indoctrinated thereby..creating more problems during the invasion and.after. v (2), Contains. the. ‘danger of “telegraphing. the punch" and thereby putting Castro and the Soviets. on notice, which could result in counter-action and possible escalation if the Sino Soviet Bloc provides open assistance. Furthermore, the longer US intervention is delayed, the higher the cost.will be in American ives. 10 TOP SECRET
ity ra TOP SECRET (3): This course would fu rther.antagoniz e.die-hard non-intervention. elements within-Latin America. (4). This would require the United States to establish, J control,. support and manipulate front organizations, develop “Cuban. leadgrehip. and run covert training and operations which carry the risk of extreme national embarrassment. _d. Use a ‘provocation and overthrow the Castro Communist regime by. US military forces. — Advantages — . , (1)- Would permit the United States to take action against Cuba at a time and place. of our own: choosing. , ’ (2) Chances ‘of premature disclosure and compromise, compared with other ‘courses of. action, would. be: e reduc ed. (3) It. would demonstrate to anti-communists throughout the world the US determination to oppose communism. (4) It. ‘would reaffirm our adherence to the principles of the Monroe Doctrine. (5) . It. would. stop farther « ‘communist indoctrination of . Gubans. ae (6), It would eliminate the possibility of! Soviet. bases. being vo established in: Cuba. (7). It would eliminate the-utilization of Cuba as a base of subversion throughout the. Western Hemisphere. (8) | it. would eliminate the poasible requirement.for a major outlay of funds in preparing.to meet an increasing threat.from Cuba. Disadvantages (2). ‘Without a. truly plausible provocative act, the United States would. pay a very considerable price in terms of world opinion. S ll TOP.SECRET
TOP SECRET. (2) It could inspire Soviet. counter-action in other areas. , (3). This course of action is contrary to.the UN charter and the non-intervention doctrine enunciated at the Bogota -Gonference. o (signed) BENJAMIN T. HARRIS Brig General, USA } — a DOD/JICS Representative Caribbean Survey: Group 12 TOP SECRET