Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

115. Telegram From the Director of the Joint Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic (Dennison)⁰

Washington, April 17, 1961, 3:35 p.m.

JCS 994247. Exclusive for Adm Dennison. Bumpy Road.

1. Effective on receipt and to continue until otherwise directed establish aircap in accordance with following restrictions:

a. Carriers shall operate no closer than 50 miles from Cuban territory.

b. Aircraft shall operate no closer than 15 miles to Cuban territory.

c. No more than 4 aircraft on station at one time.

2. Paragraphs 3 B 2, 3 and 4, Appendix 2 to Annex A Operation Order CINCLANTFLT No 25-61¹ are superseded by the following instructions:

a. US aircraft shall attack if unfriendly aircraft makes aggressive move by opening bomb bay doors when headed toward ship to be protected or starts a strafing run on it. Attacks will not be made by US aircraft under any other condition.

b. No hot pursuit inside the 15 mile line from Cuban territory.

c. US aircraft shall not come up close to unfriendly aircraft except when attacking it.

d. If unfriendly aircraft is shot down every effort shall be made to hide the fact that such action has occurred.

3. The JCS interpret the foregoing to mean that you will establish a safe haven for friendly ships a minimum of fifteen miles off shore.²

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Cuba, Subjects, Taylor Report. Top Secret; Immediate. The rules of engagement outlined in this telegram were drafted by Cabell and given to Gray at the CIA at 3:30 a.m. on April 17. (Central Intelligence Agency, DDO/LA/COG Files: Job 82-00679R, Box 3, Gen. Maxwell Taylor, Green Study Group, Vol. II)
1. Document 87.
2. Admiral Dennison relayed the new rules of engagement for air action to Admiral Clark at 4:56 p.m. (CINCLANTFLT telegram 172156Z to CTG 81.8, April 17; Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials) The chronology of the operation maintained by CNO noted that 1 hour and 31 minutes elapsed between the time that JCS 994247 was sent to Admiral Dennison and the time that the new rules relayed by CINCLANT to Task Group 81.8 were received by Admiral Clark. (Bumpy Road Chronology; ibid.) During that time, the JCS passed to CINCLANT at 4:26 a CIA report that the Barbara J. and the Atlantico were under heavy air attack 25 miles off the coast and urgently requesting support. (JCS telegram 172126Z to CINCLANT, April 17; ibid.) At 4:48 p.m., CINCLANTFLT reported to JCS that one of the destroyer units of CTG 81.8 reported that CEF ships some 26.6 miles southwest of the Bay of Pigs were under attack by a Sea Fury plane. One of the ships, believed to be the Barbara J., was on fire and requesting assistance. (CINCLANTFLT telegram 172148Z to JCS, April 17; ibid.)