36. National Security Action Memorandum No. 2891
Washington, March 19, 1964.
MEMORANDUM FOR
- The Secretary of State
- The Secretary of Defense
SUBJECT
- Indian Ocean Naval Deployment
The President approves both the concept of periodic naval task force cruises in the Indian Ocean and the initial deployment recommended in the Secretary of State’s March 15 memorandum to him on “Cruise of ‘Concord Squadron’ in Indian Ocean.”2 He regards this as a most appropriate use of mobile air/sea power in an area of considerable strategic importance to the United States.
In the light of this decision, it is requested that plans for regular intermittent deployments be developed and submitted.3
McGeorge Bundy
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSAMs, NSAM 289, Indian Ocean Naval Deployment. Secret.↩
- See footnote 1, Document 35.↩
- On March 21 circular telegram 1747 was sent to various posts stating that the President had approved an aircraft carrier cruise in the Indian Ocean area as the first phase of introduction of U.S. military power into this region on an intermittent but regular basis. The carrier, escorted by three destroyers and supported by a fleet oiler, would be referred to as the “Concord Squadron” with no reference to the Seventh Fleet or the “Indian Ocean Task Force.” (Johnson Library, National Security File; Country File, India, Vol. I, Indian Ocean Task Force)↩