Attached are answers prepared by the Joint Staff to a series of questions
which I put to them yesterday after our telephone conversation.
Enclosure
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO CUBA IN THE LIGHT OF
RECENT INTELLIGENCE
1. What was the military capability of
the Cubans for attacks against the United States prior to receipt of
equipment recently?
- a.
- Approximately 25 operational MIG
aircraft capable of carrying two 500 pound bombs, in addition to
their 20 and 37 MM cannon. These MIGs could attack targets as far north as Tampa and, on a
one-way mission, they could attack targets stretching between New
Orleans and Savannah.
- b.
- Approximately eight operational B-26 aircraft, each capable of
carrying five 500 pound bombs and attacking targets on round trip
missions [Page 1012] in an arc
between Mobile and Savannah and, on one-way missions, they could
attack targets stretching from San Antonio in the west, Cleveland to the north and New York
in the east.
- c.
- Approximately 15 small craft including 12 Motor Torpedo Boats
(MTBs) which could make nuisance
raids against southeastern coastal cities and lines of
communication.
2. What is the effect of the
acquisition of missiles and missile carrying torpedo boats?
- a.
- Extensive deployment of surface-to-air missiles (SA-2ʼs) will make
reconnaissance more hazardous. It will increase the problem and
costs involved in neutralizing air defense capabilities in the event
of open conflict.
- b.
- Missile carrying torpedo boats greatly enhance Cubaʼs coastal
defense. Offensively, these boats can be used against shipping,
coastal cities and industrial complexes in southeastern United
States consistent with the following capabilities: KOMAR class boats are capable of a
sustained maximum speed of 45 knots for over 500 miles or a 1400
mile range at 22 knots. Each carries two Mach-1 missiles with a
range of 10-15 NM carrying a 2000 pound warhead.
3. How much more secure are they for
launching attacks against the United States?
The SA-2 is a modern, first-line anti-aircraft missile, with an
engagement range of 30 miles and a high reliability at altitudes from
2,500 to 60,000 feet and with limited effectiveness up to 80,000 feet.
The presence of these missiles in Cuba is an added hazard to our air
reconnaissance and will make it more difficult for us to determine that
offensive preparations are underway.
4. What was required for the United
States to deal with the situation before the latest
acquisition?
Contingency plans envisioned the seizure of key strategic areas in Cuba
within 10-15 days after landing with the minimum of casualties to both
sides. Plans are based on the premise that an adequate amount of time
will be allocated for pre-assault preparations. Major units involved in
the initial assault include: two Army airborne divisions, an Infantry
brigade, an Armored combat command, one and one-third Marine
Division/Wing Teams, a Navy Striking and Covering Force together with an
amphibious task force, 17 USAF tactical
fighter squadrons and 53 troop carrier or transport squadrons.
5. How much more difficult is it for
the United States to deal with the situation now?
The strengthening of Cuban military capabilities will increase the
resistance which must be overcome in the event of US operations in [Page 1013] Cuba. It may take somewhat
longer to achieve the same degree of neutralization, since it will be
necessary to neutralize the SA-2 installations and MTBs before major airborne and amphibious
operations can begin. There also exists the possibility that the
opportunity of obtaining strategic and tactical surprise may be
prejudiced because of the increased period of time required for
preliminary operations against these targets.
6. What added forces would be
involved? This to be in terms of armaments currently known to be
available to the Cubans.
None. Those US forces committed in current US contingency plans are
considered sufficient.
7. What damage can the torpedo boats
do to the United States?
These boats can be used effectively in high speed day or night
hit-and-run raids against shipping and against coastal cities and
industrial complexes in southeastern United States consistent with the
following capabilities:KOMAR class
boats are capable of a speed of 45 knots for a 500 nautical mile range
or a 1400 NM range at the economical
speed of 22 knots; each carries two Mach-1 surface-to-surface missiles
with a range of 10-15 NM carrying a 2000
pound warhead, as well as four 25 MM AA
guns. The missile warheads have a reported CEP of 100 feet.
8. What damage can aircraft do to the
United States?
- a.
- Approximately 25 operational MIG
aircraft capable of carrying two 500 pound bombs, in addition to
their 20 and 37 MM cannon. These MIGs could attack targets as far north as Tampa and, on a
one-way mission, they could attack targets stretching between New
Orleans and Savannah.
- b.
- Approximately eight operational B-26 aircraft, each capable of
carrying five 500 pound bombs and attacking targets on round trip
missions from the tip of Florida in an arc between Mobile and
Savannah and, on one-way missions, they could attack targets
stretching from San Antonio in the west, Cleveland to the north and New York in the
east.
9. Added Comment
In addition to the foregoing, the military, psychological and political
impact on other countries of the Caribbean littoral should not be
overlooked. The recently acquired missile carrying torpedo boats could
be used effectively in offensive operations against Latin American
countries in the support of communist-oriented insurgency. Also, attacks
could be made on industrial complexes such as the vulnerable oil
refineries of Venezuela. The MTBʼs would
be particularly effective in the harassment of shipping in the Windward
Passage or in an attack on the Panama Canal.
