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eS eee a (3) An air force of 16 B-26 light bombers, 10 C¢54s and 5 C-46s. . (4) -Shipping including 2 100-ton ships, 5 1500-ton ships, 2 LCIs, 3 LCUs and. ICVPs. A JCS team recently inspected the battalion and the air force at their bases in Guatemala. Their findings led them to conclude that these forces could be combat-ready by 1 April. Certain deficiencies were indicated that are in progress of correction partly by further training and partly by the recruitment of the additional infantry company referred to above. ec. Timing: It will be infeasible to hold all these forces together beyond early April. They are in large part volunteers, some of whom have been in hard training, quartered in austere facilities for as much as six months. .Their motivation = for action is high but their morale cannot be maintained if their commitment to action is long delayed. The onset of the rainy season in Guatemala in April would greatly accentuate this problem and the Guatemalan Government is in any event wnwilling to have them remain in the country beyond early April. -The rainy season in Cuba would also make their landing on the island more difficult. 2. The Sitvation in Cuba: We estimate that time is against us. The Castro regime is steadily consolidating its control over Cuba. In the absense of greatly increased external pressure or