CIA-RDP96-00788R001000340003-2

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CIA-RDP96-00788R001000340003-2
THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
IRAN
THE JOINT STAFF
11 July 1980
MEMORANDUM FOR LIEUTENANT GENERAL PUSTAY, USAF
Subject:
Interim Evaluation, Grill Flame Project
1. Application of Project GRILL FLAME to the Iranian
hostage situation was actively initiated by DA during
mid-November 1979, with the initial session occurring on 27
November 1979.
2. JCS/J3/SOD was subsequently appraised of the program,
and in conjunction with the INSCOM Project Manager, developed
a joint exploitation approach which went into effect during
the first week in December, 1979. During the 1 December
1979 and July 1980 time frame, more than 150 GRILL FLAME
reports were prepared on behalf of JCS/SOD.
3. The comments provided below are based upon an examination
of the reports cited above and reflect a judgemental analysis,
after comparison of the report data with other available
information.
Sufficient corelation of physical verifiables
has been obtained to indicate that GRILL FLAME data appears
to provide insights that would not be readily available
through other sources, particularly when working against a
target in a denied or hostile environment.
4. GRILL FLAME reporting appears to have increased potential
when proper care is taken to map out a strategy which
involves:
a. A thorough requestor understanding of the GRILL FLAME
process, its limitations, and its susceptability to
misinterpretation when viewed in isolation or when
assumed to be precise.
b. A familiarization of the controller with the target
area (in terms of physical verifiables and desired
types of information) .
c. Selection of proper source in relation to desired
information (geographic, physical, or intellectual) .
d. General orientation of source with target area (general
physical or functional description) .
ARMY and JCS review(s) completed.
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e. Exercise of proper direction of source during mission
period.
f: Objective correlation of GRILL FLAME data by competent
analyst (requestor) who has intimate knowledge of
other available intelligence.
5. In summary, GRILL FLAME data appears to have potential
value as a supplemental or keying source. Any decisions
based solely on GRILL FLAME material, however, would be
extremely risky and not recommended. Final evaluation of
the GRILL FLAME data and validations/invalidations of the
comments contained in this memorandum cannot be made until
the hostage situation has been resolved and the hostages are
available for debrief.
Rul Lenalan
RODERICK MENAHAN
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
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