194. Memorandum From Twining to the JCS1
CM–386–59
Washington, August 24,
1959
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SUBJECT
- Target Coordination and Associated Problems
REFERENCE
- CM–380–59, dated 17 August 1959
1. In reference memorandum I indicated to the Secretary of Defense that he
would be advised of the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the matters
discussed in the memorandum.
2. In order to expedite resolution of several issues related to targeting
which are hampering current planning, there is provided in the attachment
hereto a list of the specific questions for consideration by the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
3. I am of the opinion that additional elaborate and time-consuming studies
on the part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are not necessary to the resolution
of most of the questions set forth in the attachment. Accordingly, I
recommend:
a. That the Joint Chiefs of Staff provide the
Secretary of Defense their views on the questions posed in the following
numbered paragraphs of the attachment by 15 September 1959: Paragraphs 1 c, 1 d, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, 2 j, 2 k, 3 a and 3
b.
b. That the Joint Chiefs of Staff provide the
Secretary of Defense their views on the remaining paragraphs by 1 December
1959.
N.F.
Twining
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Attachment
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SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED WITH
REGARD TO TARGET COORDINATION AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
1. Strategic Targeting Policy:
a. What should be our policy for development of a
national strategic target system?
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b. What categories of targets should be included
in the national strategic target system?
c. What agency should apply our strategic
targeting policy, develop the national strategic target system, and keep
it up-to-date?
d. What agency should review the national
strategic target system for consistency with policy and approve it as a
basis for further analysis?
2. Integrated Operational Plan:
a. Do we need a single integrated operational plan
for attack of the national strategic target system?
b. If we do need a single integrated operational
plan for strategic attack, what agency should develop this plan? What
agencies should review it and approve it?
c. Should any force without an all-weather
capability be allocated strategic targets? If so, under what
conditions?
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d. Should our aircraft carrier forces be relieved
of responsibility for H-hour coverage of targets on the national
strategic target list?
e. If the attack carrier forces were to be
relieved of this responsibility, how should their nuclear attack mission
be stated?
f. Is there an immediate need for the
establishment of a Unified Strategic Command?
g. If the answer to the above question is
negative, is a Unified Strategic Command viewed as desirable for the
more distant future?
h. If a Unified Strategic Command is not
established in the proximate future, is there a requirement for the
integration of operational plans for the employment of POLARIS
submarines with CINCSAC’s operational plan?
i. If so, how should this be accomplished?
j. Dose the Joint Chiefs of Staff organization
need policy control of an agency capable of operational analysis and war
gaming of operational plans?
k. If so, what agency should perform this function
for the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
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3. Operational Control of Atomic Strike
Forces:
a. As a general policy, should unified commanders
having an area responsibility be responsible for H-hour attack of
targets on the national strategic target list?
b. Should the operation of the Joint War Room
Annexes and the Joint Coordination Centers be continued?
c. Should any additional measures be taken to
improve the coordination of forces operating under the operational
control of the various commanders?
