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Among many who assisted the author in his search for relevant documents, he is especially grateful to Latin American Division Records Management Officers (now retired) Jean Krages and I On numerous occasions, Robert Cintron of FBIS provided assistance with Spanish translations, and, in addition, volunteered many helpful references. The writer has been particu- larly fortunate, too, in the willingness of many of those most directly concerned with the air operations -- Garfield Thorsrud, Stanley Beerli, George Gaines, Billy Campbell, C. w. "Connie" Seigrist, and James Cunningham to share, for the record and for the ~-. first time in practically all instances, their recol- lections with him. Similarly open were Richard Bissell and Jacob Esterline who spoke not only to air operations, but to the broad spectrum of the Agency's role in the anti-Castro effort which culminated at Playa Giron. The author regrets that David McLean, who ini- tially was assigned to write this history, passed away so soon after the present author was assigned. to work on the history. Mr. McLean's initial explor- atory efforts and the guidance he was able to offer helped to get the present author off to a running start. - iv -