Approved for Release: 2013/06/25
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Secret NOFORN
Chapter 2
41
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Project AQUATONE Personnel
Special Assistant to the DCI
for Planning and Coordination
Headquarters
CIA 18
USAF 7
—
25
US Field Test Base
CIA 26
—
26
Foreign Field Base A
CIA 16
USAF 34
Contract 52
—
102
Foreign Field Base B
CIA 16
USAF 34
Contract 52
—
102
Foreign Field Base C
CIA 16
USAF 34
Contract 52
—
102
Total employees: CIA 92
USAF 109
Contract 156
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357
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During the first half of 1955, the project staff grew slowly; many of the individuals working on overhead reconnaissance remained on the rolls of other Agency components. To achieve maximum security, Bissell made the project staff self-sufficient. Project AQUATONE had its own contract management, administrative, financial, logistic, communications, and security personnel, and, thus, did not need to turn to the Agency directorates for assistance. Funding for Project AQUATONE was also kept separate from other Agency components; its personnel and operating costs were not paid out of regular Agency accounts. As approving officer for the project, Richard Bissell could obligate funds in amounts up to $100,000; larger sums required the DCI’s approval.⁵
At the end of April 1955, Bissell’s staff developed, and the Deputy Director for Support approved, the first table of organization for Project AQUATONE. Once operational, the project would have a
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⁵ *OSA History*, chap. 3, pp. 5-7 (TS Codeword).
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Secret
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Approved for Release: 2013/06/25