Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXX, China

293. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Hong Kong¹

Washington, December 27, 1967, 0115Z.

89597. Subject: KC–135 Deployment to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base. Joint State/Defense Message.

1. Increase in B–52 sortie rates in SEA, which has been approved at high level, has necessitated relocation of KC–135’s which provide PACAF fighter support. We are considering a proposal to base ten PACAF support tankers (five from Takhil and five from Kadena) and five U-Tapao based radio relay aircraft at Ching Chuan Kang by approximately February 1, 1968. It is necessary to redeploy these KC–135’s in order to permit increased B–52 operations at U-Tapao and F–111 deployment at Takhli. U-Tapao and Takhli are extremely crowded and could not accommodate new deployments without reduction in number of KC–135’s. Move of KC–135’s from Kadena to Ching Chuan Kang will increase their effectiveness since they will be based nearer to SEA refueling areas. Operation from Ching Chuan Kang will require 432 additional US personnel. No new construction would be needed. As you know, GRC has previously approved KC–135’s use of Ching Chuan Kang as weather alternate, and it has been so used.

2. For Taipei: We would like the Ambassador’s comments on the proposal and assessment as to what the GRC’s reaction would be if we approach them with a request to deploy 15 KC–135’s (10 tankers and 5 radio relay) and approximately 430 personnel to CCK. The aircraft would be utilized for fighter refueling and radio relay operations at rate of approximately one sortie per day per aircraft.²

3. For AMConsul HK: Request your comments on above proposal, particularly regarding likely ChiCom reaction to specific deployment under consideration and increasing Taiwan role in Viet Nam.³

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15 CHINAT-US. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by T.L. Ridge of OSD/ISA; cleared by Shoesmith, Richard H. Donald of ACA, Steadman of OSD/ISA, Captain Alldredge of the Joint Staff, and Lieutenant Colonel Lively of the Air Force; approved by Berger. Also sent to Taipei. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, Bangkok, PACAF, SAC, and COMUSMACV.
2. The Embassy commented in telegram 1743 from Taipei, December 28. (Ibid.)
3. The Consulate General commented in telegram 3676, December 29, that any reaction beyond a propaganda blast was unlikely. (Ibid.) Telegram 96329 to Taipei, January 10, authorized the Embassy to request GRC approval to base 15 KC–135’s plus approximately 450 additional personnel at Ching Chuan Kang. Telegram 1945 from Taipei, January 22, reported GRC approval. (Ibid., DEF 15 CHINAT-US)