Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXVIII, Laos

335. Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (McConnell) to Secretary of Defense McNamara¹

CM-3060–68

Washington, February 27, 1968.

SUBJECT

• Tactical Air Support in Laos

1. (U) Reference is made to:

a. Vientiane 4585/200755Z February 1968 to the Secretary of State.²

b. Vientiane 4584/200754Z February 1968 to 7th Air Force.

c. 7th Air Force 201300Z February 1968 to Vientiane (JCS IN 25321).

d. 7th Air Force 232129Z February 1968 to Vientiane (JCS IN 31031).

e. Vientiane 221051Z February 1968 to 7th Air Force (JCS IN 28998).³

2. (TS) The American Ambassador has reported to the Secretary of State that he was receiving insufficient air support to attack key targets in Laos (reference 1a).

3. (TS) Concurrently, the Ambassador voiced his reservations to the Commander, 7th Air Force and recommended that the 56th Air Commando Wing (Nakhon Phanom) be “dedicated” to the air support of targets in Laos (reference 1b).

4. (TS) The Commander, 7th Air Force responded and stated his acknowledgment of the requirement for air support as indicated by the Ambassador. He cited some of the current requirements on his resources and indicated that some of the current problems may soon be alleviated by the arrival of additional A–1s (reference 1c).

5. (TS) After additional review, Commander, 7th Air Force further responded to the reiterated request for assignment of a specific unit to Laos air support, with a firm judgment that he could not reduce the flexibility of his force by dedicating a portion to a specific area/mission. The Commander, 7th Air Force stated his goal of meeting all requirements contingent on priorities and force availability. He assured Ambassador, Vientiane that the necessary sorties would be flown in Laos to meet critical situations (reference 1e).

6. (TS) The American Ambassador, Vientiane responded by restating his request for “dedication” of the 56th Air Commando Wing and acknowledgment of the obligation of 7th Air Force to place first priority on strikes in SVN. Additionally the Ambassador indicated that he was repeating his “dedication” proposal to Washington (Secretary of State) in hopes that authorities there would relieve 7th Air Force of some of its priority obligation in other areas (reference 1d).

7. (TS) The proposal of Commander, 7th Air Force to satisfy requirements is valid and retains flexibility in the assignment of his tactical resources to areas and on missions for which he is responsible.

8. (U) The attached memorandum⁴ supports the position of the Commander, 7th Air Force, CINCPAC, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Recommend approval and forwarding to the Secretary of State.⁵

J.P. McConnell

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Laos 385.1, 1968. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that the Deputy Secretary of Defense saw this memorandum.
2. See footnote 2, Document 332.
3. Reference telegrams b-e, February 20, 20, 23, and 22, are in Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS.
4. Not printed.
5. Nitze met with Warnke and Bundy on February 27 and discussed the problem of providing tactical air support in Laos. Nitze advised Bundy of the JCS position and therefore the attached memorandum to the Secretary of State was not sent. (Memorandum from Colonel Abbott C. Greenleaf, Military Assistant to the Chairman of the JCS to the Acting Chairman, February 28; Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1304, Laos 385.1, 1968.