Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

138. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara⁰

Washington, August 3, 1962.

SUBJECT

• SAC Bases in Morocco

JCSM-595-62

1. Reference is made to the memorandum for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, dated 1 August 1962, subject as above.¹

2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reviewed their previously expressed views on the above subject and have concluded that, in the interest of US security, the SAC bases in Morocco are highly important because of their role in the US strategic deterrent posture and their use for contingencies in Africa and the Middle East as well as their denial to third powers. Hence their post-1963 retention in operational configuration remains a valid military requirement. It is the view of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that this requirement cannot be met through small maintenance elements on bases to which we would have only re-entry rights. Therefore, the recommendation contained in JCSM-544-62² expresses the course of action believed to be sound from a military standpoint. As expressed in Appendix B to that memorandum, any post-1963 base rights in Morocco which are less than full operational use of Benguerir and Sidi Slimane will not fulfill existing military requirements, as set forth in Appendix A of JCSM-544-62.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that re-entry rights, including small maintenance elements, be considered only after negotiation of the more desirable solutions expressed in JCSM-544-62 have been thoroughly explored with the Government of Morocco and have been denied.

4. Although small maintenance elements will not fully satisfy military operational needs, their value in terms of certain contingency operations and the prevention of base use by third powers is recognized. Costs in connection with small maintenance elements in Morocco would not differ appreciably from known average costs involved in maintaining comparable military units overseas. The Strategic Air Command has been requested to provide preliminary estimates of personnel and costs for such arrangements.

5. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are prepared to discuss this matter at the meeting with you on Monday, 6 August 1962.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

L. L. Lemnitzer

Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff

0. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files:FRC 66 A 3542, Morocco, 686, 10 Jan 1962. Top Secret.
1. The memorandum asked whether U.S. post-1963 needs could be met through small maintenance elements to keep the bases prepared for re-entry, with Moroccan consent, in time of emergency, and asked for the Joint Chiefs’ views on the minimum size of the maintenance elements that would be required and the estimated costs of keeping the facilities prepared for use in varying types of contingencies. (Ibid.)
2. In JCSM 544-62, July 24, the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed McNamara of their belief that it was in the overall U.S. interest to use extraordinary measures to retain use of the SAC bases in Morocco beyond 1963. (Ibid.)