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

308. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China¹

Washington, April 11, 1968, 0034Z.

144916. Joint State/Defense message. Subject: Use of Ching Chuan Kang (CCK) as B–52 Weather Refuge Base.

1. We are considering request for subject use in event adverse weather factors require concurrent evacuation B–52 aircraft from Guam and Okinawa. The request is for safe haven purpose only and excludes B–52 aircraft launches in connection with combat operations.

2. Background:

a. Increase in B–52 sortie rates in SEA has required significant increase in forward deployment of B–52s in Guam and Okinawa as well as Thailand. The critical factor is that B–52s can be operated only at bases which have stabilized runway and taxi shoulders to support wing outriggers. Bases so constructed include those listed above and CCK and Yokota AB, Japan. Planning for evacuation KC–135s is not so limited since they do not have outrigger problem.

b. It is considered impractical to use Japanese base for political reasons. U-Tapao, Thailand, even with expanded ramps, can handle only very limited number extra B–52s. Hence, SAC cannot plan for coordinated evacuation of its total force when both Guam and Okinawa are covered by severe weather. On these occasions, which expected be infrequent, only alternative is return to Hawaii and CONUS with ensuing delays in mounting subsequent operations.

c. Temporary deployment this purpose would not require increase in personnel stationed at CCK.

3. For Taipei: Request country team comments on the proposal and assessment of probable GRC reaction to request.²

4. For AmConsul Hong Kong: Request your comments on proposal, particularly regarding likely ChiCom reaction to deployment. Also, request any suggestions as to advisability and pitch of public announcement, if such temporary deployments actually made, to off-set possible ChiCom reaction.³

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15 CHINAT-US. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Ridge; cleared by Steadman, Colonel Cavender of the Joint Staff, Colonel Miller of USAF, in draft by Shoesmith and Donald, and in substance by EA Deputy Assistant Secretary Philip C. Habib, Oscar V. Armstrong of EA/P, and Daniel N. Arzac of P; approved by EA Deputy Assistant Secretary G. McMurtrie Godley. Also sent to Hong Kong and repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, PACAF, USAF, SAC, COMUSTDC, and COMUSMACV.
2. The Embassy commented in telegram 2869 from Taipei, April 20. (Ibid.)
3. The Consulate General commented in telegram 5626 from Hong Kong, April 11. (Ibid.) Telegram 3047 from Taipei, May 10, reported the receipt of a May 7 letter from Wei stating GRC agreement to the proposed occasional use by B–52’s of Ching Chuan Kang as a weather refuge. (Ibid.)