Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVIII, Near East, 1962–1963

272. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia⁰

Washington, June 14, 1963, 5:17 p.m.

830. Joint State-Defense message. Jidda’s 1071 and 1077.¹ Highest levels USG deeply concerned over unauthorized disclosure to and discussion with Saudi personnel re mission and rules of engagement for operation Hard Surface in violation previous instructions this subject. You are directed take all necessary action to prohibit any further unauthorized disclosures and discussions these subjects. Hard Surface command will coordinate closely with Country Team to ensure successful execution of operation in delicate atmosphere.

USG implementation operation Hard Surface has been and is contingent upon disengagement UAR-Saudi forces in Yemen. While we are honoring USG commitment to SAG and providing Hard Surface forces for purpose training and joint exercise with Saudi troops, we do not intend this be hostile action toward UAR, and for that reason operating mission and rules of engagement were carefully drawn to preclude possibility any action which could be construed to be offensive in military sense. At same time operating mission and rules of engagement do not prohibit Hard Surface forces from exercising inherent right self-defense. Accordingly, we have amended mission and rules of engagement to reflect this fact. The following mission and rules of engagement will apply to Hard Surface operations. They will not be disclosed to or discussed with Saudi personnel.

“Mission: The mission of the deployed air unit is:

(1) To conduct training exercises and operations with Saudi air forces in cooperation with USMTM as part of our overall efforts through the years to improve Saudi forces and as evidence of continuing U.S. interest in the internal stability and security of Saudi Arabia. (The element of “show of force’ is manifested by the military presence of the unit in Saudi Arabia and is acknowledged as an explicit element of the mission. However, no references will be made officially or unofficially, formally or informally, to the effect that a “U.S. show of force’ is an essential element of this unit’s mission.)

(2) To provide a limited air defense capability to Saudi Arabia to deter UAR air operations over Saudi Arabia should such air operations be resumed.

(3) In the event hostile aircraft are encountered by Hard Surface forces in the execution of the mission set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, the U.S. aircraft is authorized to exercise the inherent right of self-defense if attacked.

Rules of Engagement. In the event the UAR resumes air operations over Saudi Arabia and UAR aircraft are detected and/or intercepted by operational USAF fighter aircraft in Saudi Arabia, the following rules of engagement may be made effective only if directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff after the decision has been made at the highest government level.

(1) USAF fighter aircraft, within their capability, will intercept and identify all unidentified aircraft violating the territorial air space of Saudi Arabia.

(2) Upon interception and failure to identify as friendly, the aircraft will be considered a hostile intruder and USAF fighter pilots will exert every measure, short of actual firing at the “intruder,’ to induce it to land or alter course to exit Saudi Arabian territory. These measures may include maneuvers, tactics, and signals, as well as commands on international radio frequencies. If these measures are successful, USAF fighter aircraft will escort the “intruder’ aircraft to the Saudi Arabian border or to the nearest suitable airfield.

(3) If the foregoing steps to induce “intruder’ aircraft to either land or depart Saudi Arabian air space are not successful, USAF fighter aircraft will escort the “intruder’ aircraft, continuing harassment, until one of two situations occurs, i.e. either

(i) the “intruder’ follows directions to land or depart Saudi Arabian air space, or

(ii) the “intruder’ is observed to commit a “hostile’ act. In this event, USAF fighter aircraft will destroy the ‘intruder.’

(4) For purpose of these rules of engagement, a “hostile’ act is defined as firing or maneuvering to fire at USAF or allied (Saudi Arabian) aircraft, opening bomb bay doors, strafing, rocketing, or bombing Saudi Arabian territory.”

Hard Surface operational units will be authorized operate to within forty (40) miles Saudi-Yemen border and may be utilized periodically for flights over Jizan but on a lesser frequency than recommended Jidda’s 1077.

With ref photo recon capability and requirement, mission of Hard Surface as set forth above does not require photo recon capability and therefore will not be part exercise complement. In event circumstances change or there requirement for photo recon capability we will consider provision of RF aircraft.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–3 US. Secret; Operational Immediate; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Kettelhut; cleared by Hewitt, Davies, Admiral Chew (JCS), Little, Colonel Robinson (G/PM), Sloan (OSD/ISA), and Komer; and approved by Grant. Also sent to Dhahran, CINCEUR, CINCNELM, and CINCSTRIKE and repeated to Cairo.
1. Dated June 12 and 13. (Ibid.)