ED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES cal-L - Ill 13 13 I nd Llu- L Hag- I 1 - -r 1 Q-r tEgg II I igg 9 October 1969 56 s 35 MEMORANDUM FOR manage MK q THRU GENERAL I as 1 Based upon Colonel Pursley's initial memorandum to 5 53 Colonel Haig on significant military actions Tab A Dr Kissinger has requested an integrated plan of military h actions to demonstrate convincingly to the Soviet Union JE- it that the United States is getting ready for any eventuality on or about 1 November 1969 The items marked in the Tab jgf s igat e are-to be included Rather than threatening a confronta -J tion which may or may not occur the objective of these Pt 5% actions'would be'a demenstration of improving or confirminga% g 'f t readiness to react should a confrontation occur The plan 1 should envision initiating some actions early next week LE 13 or 14 October with all actions completed by 25 October y A low key public affairs program should be included 5 sf 2 The integrated plan is desired at the White House by a close of business tomorrow It will probably be an item 5 for discussion with the President on Saturday 55 3 I relayed this requirement this morning from Colonel Haig to Colonel Parsley who asked me to relay it to you At Tab is a CM for the Director Joint Staff which lays E on the requirementLEMNITZER I-Usih if11 OFFICE or THE SECRETARY or perms ora-f wunmorou o c aonm' a 8 October l969 MEMORANDUM FOR Significant Military Actions In response to your request a number of concepts for military actions are outlined below which would in our judgment be con- sldered by the Soviets as unusual and significant The following criteria were employed in developing these potential actions s Ease of detection by the Soviet Union b High probability of being considered unusual and sig- c Low public exposure in the United States d Feasible of execution as early as l3 October or as Isoon thereafter as possible e Lasting sufficiently long to be convincing ConCepts meeting these criteria woudd include a Implementation of radio and or other communications silence in selected areas or commands in SAC and POLARIS forces Stand down of flying of combat aircraft in selected areas or commands fOr #8 hours in SAC and EUCOM c Increased of Soviet ships en route to North Vietnam x d Increased reconnaissance sorties around the periphery of the Soviet Union Increased ground alert rate of SAC bombers and tankers gin% 19113% I 6 5 military disPersal bases -by tender has been considered but does not app criteria - military actions out effect desired which neither the costs nor SAC aircraft with nuclear-weapons to only with or Without dispersal of FONAD forces 9 to sea of currently in port or g Alerting or sendin Modification of the SNOW TIME 70-2-E joint exercise ear to qualify under the nd risks entailed by the to the over-all In absolute terms The significance of the costs a lined above must be related is not known at this time the risks seem to be high Robert E Pursiey Colonel USAF Military Assistant - - 1 -_-osuces sr- ms namvss 9 October 1969 MEMORANDUM POR THE DIRECTOR JOINT STAFF Subject Integrated Plan for certain Military Actions These actions should be discernible to the Soviets but not threatening in themselves cx- They should include but not necessarily'be limited to the isff following type actionsI - areas or commands for 48 hours to improve opera- tional readiness in SAC and EUCOH b Implementation of radio and or other communications silence in selected areas or commands in SAC and POLARIS forces or in the Sixth Fleet 3477 UMtu otv 679' - c Increased surveillance of Soviet ships en route Increased ground alert rate of SAC bombers and 4f tankers weapons to only US military bases 3 e Dispersal of SAC and CDNAD aircraft with nuclear 2 The plan should provide for the initiation of some actions by 13 October and the completion of all actions including return to substantially normal operations not later than 25 October 1969 A public affairs plan should be included with the theme that the visible actions are simply part of a test of current US military readinessa if I seen Md 3%Eu3 5 Er Jib I a H- 319val - #31 - 9 Ln- II I I i If it my 4 39 1- A -- n 1' 'Qbrdesire this plan By 1200 ho re l0 October 1969 -f If necessary detailed annexes should OIlow as soon as 3 possible Sgd EARLE G WHEELER - - - hth-I-EARLE G WHEELER Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff J L 1- 1 33 33-3- - I I I IJ 7751- cr - _1 I D- l 3Q h r -I W-Mmrr W1 - t ru- 1 9 rain I I I I L                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu