Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973–1976

397. National Security Decision Memorandum 286, Washington, February 7, 1975.¹ ²

Washington, February 7, 1975

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506

February 7, 1975

National Security Decision Memorandum 286

TO: The Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of state
The Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT: Long-Term US Military Force Levels in Thailand

The President has reviewed the options for long-term US military force levels in Thailand submitted in response to NSDM 249, US Deployments in Thailand.

In order to retain a credible and flexible combat capability at an acceptable cost during the next two years, the President has decided the following:

1. After the current dry season is over, reduce the US military force level in Thailand from the present 27,000 military spaces clown to 21,300 by the end of FY 1975.

2. Reduce military manpower spaces from 21,300 on July 1, 1975 to 12,000 on June 30, 1976. The bulk of the combat forces involved in this reduction are to be withdrawn in the fourth quarter of FY 1976. This level should provide for a combat force of six B-52s, two fighter squadrons, one AC-130 squadron, six RF-4s, three USN P–3s, four U-2Rs, and necessary support aircraft.

3. Reduce to 10,000 military manpower spaces by December 31, 1976, with the bulk of this reduction taking place in the second quarter of FY 1977. This level should provide for a combat force of two fighter squadrons, six RF-4s, three USN P–3s, four U-2Rs, and necessary support aircraft.

4. Retain Udorn Airbase in caretaker status at least through FY 1977. Specific timing for termination of U.S. operations at Utapao and Korat Airbases will be determined later. Plan on using Udorn for training operations by tactical air units on temporary deployment from other bases in the Pacific area.

5. The Department of state, in coordination with the Department of Defense arid the United States Embassy Bangkok, should begin discussions with the Royal Thai Government to inform them of our Thailand residual force planning, to negotiate an acceptable contract arrangement for maintaining Udorn Airbase in caretaker status, and to negotiate reentry and rotation rights at that base. If those rights cannot be negotiated, this decision on size and pace of withdrawals remains subject to review.

6. No public announcements on these withdrawals will be made until after the respective dry seasons.

[signed]
Henry A. Kissinger

cc: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director, Office of Management and Budget

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2. Kissinger issued NSDM 286 concerning long-term U.S. military force levels in Thailand.