Office of the Historian

212. Memorandum for the Record1

Washington, September 9, 1970, 0720 EDT.

SUBJECT

  • Aircraft Hijackings

REFERENCE

  • NMCC MFR 062300 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 061700 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 071125 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 071530 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 072215 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 081257 EDT Sep 70, same subject
  • NMCC MFR 082354 EDT Sep 70, same subject2
1.
The following readiness actions have been taken to prepare U.S. forces to support possible military air evacuation of U.S. citizens held as hijacking hostages in Jordan:
a.
At 082129 EDT, JCS requested USCINCEUR move the USS Independence (CVA–62) to a position approximately 100 nautical miles from the Israel/Lebanon coast (see attached map). The Independence is accompanied by four destroyers and one oiler and will be joined by two more destroyers. Estimated time of arrival on station is 100030 EDT.
b.
At 082340 EDT, USCINCEUR reported that six C–130 aircraft are being prepositioned at Incirlik, Turkey (see attached map). Estimated time of arrival is 090800 EDT. Flight time from Incirlik to Amman is 1 hour and 20 minutes, and from Incirlik to Dawson Field is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
2.
No alert to ground troops or tactical air support units has been given. Appropriate contingency plans for Europe and the Middle East are currently being reviewed. USCINC–STRIKE has activated his Battle Staff to monitor the situation and place himself in a more responsive posture.
Raymond O. Miller
Brigadier General, USA
Deputy Director for Operations (NMCC)
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 330, Subject Files, Hijackings. Top Secret. An attached map is not printed.↩
  2. Regarding the memorandum for the record, September 6, 1700 EDT, see footnote 2, Document 199. The memorandum for the record, September 7, 2300 EDT, is Document 202. Memoranda for the record, September 7, 2215 EDT; September 8, 1257 EDT; and September 8, 2354 EDT are in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 330, Subject Files, Hijackings. Memoranda for the record, September 7, 1125 EDT and 1530 EDT were not found.↩