USA: DCI Hillenkoetter designates intelligence assets
On September 24, 1947, DCI Roscoe Hillenkoetter wrote to AMC, naming T-2 and the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics' Air Intelligence branch as national assets. He stated the CIA would avoid replicating existing air technical intelligence capabilities.
Background
Background
In the context of the post-war reorganisation of US intelligence, Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) since May 1947, sent a letter to the Air Materiel Command (AMC) on September 24, 1947. This took place amid the establishment of the CIA by the National Security Act of 1947.
Event Details
Hillenkoetter classified the AMC's T-2 division and the air intelligence branch of the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics as national assets. He gave assurances that the CIA would not build its own structures for air technical intelligence, in order to avoid duplication. The measure was aimed at efficient coordination.
Witnesses and Evidence
Jan Aldrich documented the event in 'UFOs and Intelligence: A Timeline' (p. 173). Hillenkoetter, a Rear Admiral, headed the CIG and later the CIA until 1950. No further witnesses are named; the primary evidence is the letter.
Significance
This underlined the strategy of cooperation between the CIA, the Air Force, and the Navy in the early UFO era of 1947. It prevented waste of resources and strengthened central control over technical air intelligence resources, relevant to UAP observation.