The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

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41
Gee, ct NOfOftN
Chapter 2
I
US Field Test Base
CIA
26
26
============
Project AOUATONE Personnel
Special Assistant to the DCI J
for Planning and Coordination
I
Headquarters
CIA
USAF -1]
25
I
I
I
Foreign Field Base A
Foreign Fielcj Base B
CIA
16
CIA
16
USAF
34
USAF
34
Contract
52
Contract
52
102
102
Total employees: CIA
USAF
Contract
I
Foreign Field Base C
CIA
16
USAF
34
Contract
52
102
During the first half of 1955. the project staff grew slowly: many
of the individuals working on overhead reconnaissance remained on
the rolls of other Agency components. To achieve maximum security,
Bissell made the project staff self-sufficient. Project AQUATONE had
its own contract management, administrative, financial, logistic, com­
munications, and security personnel, and, thus, did not need to tum
to the Agency directorates for assistance. Funding for Proj,ect
AQUATONE was also kept separate from other Agency components;
its personnel and operating costs were not paid out of regular Agency
accounts. As approving officer for the project, Richard Bissell could
obligate funds in amounts up to $100,000; larger sums requ ired i.he
DCl's approval.
1
At the end of April 1955, Bisselrs staff developed, and the
Deputy Director for Support approved, the first table of organization
for Proj ect AQUATONE. Once operational. the project would have a
' OSA History. chap. 3. pp. 5-7 (TS Ccxkword).