◆ SpookStack

It was also during July that the decision was made to establish air training activity at Retalhuleu in Guatemala. It was pointed out that: Airfields under previous consideration have, for one reason or another, proved unwxilile and not available 'except [for] Retalhuleu. Mr. [Jacob D.] Esterline [Chief, WH/4] pointed put that President Ydigoras, by government decree had trans- ferred this field to the [Guatemalan] Air Force, troops had moved in on 19 July, and public announcement had been made in the press regarding cover buildup ••• Although Ydigoras' action apparently is designed to force the us to build a first- class airfield for him, general concensus [sic] of opinion is that this airfield is about the only alternative left and that planning would proceed on utilization of this field. 6/ Even as Retalhuleu was being discussed as a probable training site, it was also indicated that consideration had been given to establishing a forward operating base in Nicaragua. At this time, interest- \ ingly enough, it was stated lithe use of airbases in Nicaragua was discussed; however, since the Cubans refused to go to Nicaragua, this possibility was dis- missed. II· V Once agreement had been reached on the Retalhuleu airbase -- it would carry the crypt JMADD -- and the necessary work to improve the field for training - 8 -