US Army Intelligence and Security Command (FOIA release, 2020)
GRILL FLAME records, INSCOM FOIA case 0442F-20
Eight items from 1981 and 1995, released in 2020 in response to a request filed through MuckRock. The 1981 papers set up Detachment G of the US Army Operational Group to run GRILL FLAME; the 1995 memoranda record INSCOM's own account of the program after it had passed to DIA and then to CIA.
US Army Intelligence and Security Command, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, release of 11 June 2020, case 0442F-20 (FOIA control number FA-20-021111). 14 pages.
Download the release (PDF, 14 pages, 0.9 MB)
What is in it
- Cover letter, INSCOM Freedom of Information/Privacy Office11 June 2020 · pages 1-2
The records were declassified on review and released with personal names withheld; DIA withheld its own information.
- Extract from an INSCOM history (page 82)Undated · page 3
One paragraph: GRILL FLAME began under the Army's Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (ACSI), INSCOM was tasked to evaluate it in October 1978, and program management passed to INSCOM on 11 February 1981, where it was assigned to Detachment G, US Army Operational Group.
- Memorandum: INSCOM Involvement in Extra Sensory Perception Activities (ESPA)1 December 1995 · pages 4-5
From the INSCOM Chief of Staff, Malcolm L. Hollingsworth, to the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. A short history: the 1978 urging of the ACSI, MG E. R. Thompson, MG Albert Stubblebine's advocacy from 1981, the transfer to DIA in the mid-1980s, and the move to CIA.
- Memorandum for record: Grill Flame2 October 1995 · pages 6-7
By the INSCOM Inspector General (name withheld). Written after a meeting called on 15 September 1995 in response to a citizen's letter to the Secretary of the Army and Jim Schnabel's article in the London Independent of 27 August 1995.
- Action sheet: Formalization of Project GRILL FLAME10 September 1981 · pages 8-9
Asks INSCOM's Deputy Commanding General for Intelligence to sign the Letter of Instructions assigning the project to the US Army Operational Group as Detachment G.
- Message from MG E. R. Thompson, ACSI, to MG Rolya, INSCOM commander: GRILL FLAME11 February 1981 · page 10
The message that moved program management from the ACSI's office to INSCOM (the 1981 action sheet cites it as such; on this copy the transfer paragraph is struck through). It also asks that all legal and medical human-use issues be met before any new GRILL FLAME initiative.
- Proposed change to the USAOG staffing table: Detachment G (GRILL FLAME)1981 (enclosure to the action sheet) · page 11
The positions planned for the new detachment.
- Letter of Instructions: Project GRILL FLAMEEffective 1 October 1981 · pages 12-14
Signed by BG Thomas J. Flynn, Deputy Commander, Intelligence. Sets out administration, operations and logistics for Detachment G and limits access to personnel approved by name.