◆ SpookStack

When the critical request for assistance came in from Egan, the operation -- per Mr. Bissell's de- cision -- was approved in an outgoing cable from Washington shortly after 0500 hours on the morning of 14 November and it was stated specifically that only CAT pilots could be used -- if they volunteered. 49/* Although the outgoing authorization indicated "w~ concerned that Cuban troops being committed ln ad- vance of Guat troops, also feel part of the strike force must be Guatemalan to offset stigma of attack by foreign mercenaries," there is no indication that Guatemalan troops were aboard the C-46's headed for Puerto Barrios; and as Seigrist pointed out, he flew the Puerto Barrios strike with a Cuban in the right seat and presumably Beale also used a Cuban as his co-pilot. 50/ In addition to the transport of Guatemalan and Cuban troops by C-46's and the B-26 sorties, other events also occupied those Agency personnel at JMADD and JMTRAV. One of the most immediate was the GOG's * This was to eliminate the possibility that any of the Agency's USAF assignees at Jr4ADD might be involved in a shoot down or accident.