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

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

JCSM-591-61

Washington, September 5, 1961.

SUBJECT

• Proposed Regular Scheduled MATS Flights Throughout Africa

1. Reference is made to the memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA), dated 18 April 1961, subject as above, which requested that the Joint Chiefs of Staff submit a recommended plan for the establishment of regularly scheduled MATS flights throughout Africa.

2. In establishing a basis for such a plan, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have fully recognized the comments of the Department of State on this subject contained in their letter, dated 2 March 1961.¹ In particular, these comments point out that a major obstacle which must be overcome will be the obtaining of permission of the many countries involved for the introduction of US military personnel and equipment. This may prove difficult since the advantages which will accrue to these countries by the inauguration of the MATS service are not readily apparent.

3. In view of the above, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the most feasible premise for the establishment of scheduled MATS flights throughout Africa at this time would be to provide regular air service to the various US Embassies on that continent. On this basis, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have developed the attached plan for an African “Embassy Run” which is designed to provide the specific information requested.² This plan, which would provide MATS service to twelve principal embassies on a weekly basis, is submitted as a realistic initial step toward full-scale MATS operations in Africa. It can be expanded or reduced prior to implementation to meet a specific requirement as may be determined in consultation with the Department of State. A thorough route and site survey would be required, however, before implementation to identify and resolve the many problems inherent to an operation of this type.

4. It will be noted that the tariff proposal contained within this plan would charge Special Assignment Aircraft (SAA) hourly rates for aircraft while on the African circuit. Although the SAA method of billing will result in higher cost to the sponsor than the common user tariff rates, it must be utilized initially since specific route requirements are unknown. Once these route requirements have been established, it may be possible to designate the route as channel traffic and revert to normal channel traffic tariff procedures.

5. In response to the comment of the Department of State that any proposal for the extension of MATS routes into Africa should be accompanied by evidence of those advantages which would accrue to the countries involved, it is appropriate to identify, for future discussions with the Department of State, the advantages which an Embassy Run of this type would offer. In this regard, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the strongest advantage is the fact that the proposed MATS routes would provide a readily available transportation means to facilitate the introduction and support of those US programs designed to assist the cultural and economic development of the countries involved and to provide the various forms of medical aid and health education. Similarly, these routes would facilitate the provision of military aid to those countries participating in the Military Assistance Program. Combining the stated desire on the part of the United States to make such varied programs available to these countries with the use of scheduled MATS airlift in these programs should provide a persuasive argument for permitting initiation of such air service to the countries selected. Additionally, it could be pointed out to these countries that MATS service of this type would provide a means for the United States to respond to the expressed needs of the African nations on a timely, yet orderly, basis. Such a capability would be especially desirable in rendering assistance in emergency situations which may develop in those countries.

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, Africa, 1962. Secret.
1. The letter from Acting Secretary of State for African Affairs James K. Penfield to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs William P. Bundy noted that the difficulty with the MATS proposal lay in the fact that the very countries where the United States could use a MATS service to best advantage were also those where it had not yet been able to establish its constructive interest in their stability, welfare, and development. Therefore, the United States needed to go to such countries with a proposal that was clearly to their own advantage as well as to that of the United States. Penfield suggested reconsideration of the question in 6 months, by which time it would be possible to assess developing attitudes, especially in West Africa. (Department of State, Central Files, 770.5411/1-3161)
2. See footnote 1, Document 203.