◆ SpookStack

The cable to JMADD notifying the base of Thorsrud's appointment also mentioned (in alias) Gen. George R. (Reid) Doster, the Commanding Officer of the Alabama Air National Guard. As stated earlier in this volume, Doster worked very closely with Agency representatives to secure the services of Alabama Air National Guard personnel -- ground crews and flight crews -- to support the training and, eventually, the air opera- tions against Castro's Cuba. In early February 1961, subsequent to his efforts to obtain ANG personnel to . support the JMATE operation, Doster himself . requested that he be allowed to participate in JMCLEAR activities as Chief of Tactical Aviation at the forward strike base. Gen. Doster's request was based on the fact that he had personally recruited crew members, operations supervisors, and maintenance personnel from his own ANG units; and he desired to complete a "package" capability. 88/ The request by Gen. Doster was discussed with Mr. Richard Bissell, the DDP; and with Mr. Bissell's approval a contract was prepared for the General. Almost immedi- ately upon his arrival~ Thorsrud got together with Gen. Doster, Col. Villafana, the Commanding Officer of the Cuban Air Operation, and Luis Cosme, Chief of Operations for the Cuban air contingent, to discuss - 157 -