◆ SpookStack

29. For a long time the results of the drops, as reported by the ground elements, were not forwarded to the air crews, who got no critiques but continued to report successes when in fact they were missing the drop zone by many kilometers. Handling an Emergency 30. The handling of an emergency also left something to be desired. One of the planes had to land in Jamaica. The commnder's Phone call to an emergency. number in Guatemala produced the reply, this landing cron (i. who had assumed (wrongly) that a ==: been advised by Headquarters. 31. In January 1961 Division D of the Agency's FI Staff made a study which raised pertinent questions about the air drops. The Project's paramilitary staff made a study in March and concluded that the Cuban crews did not have sufficient experience or super- vised training in clandestine Paramilitary air operations to meet the project objectives and that they were too undisciplined to obey instructions or to make correct reports. This study recom- mended that contract American aircraft commanders be used » but it did not receive the approval of the paramilitary chief and went no further. 32. DPD also made an analysis in March and recommended cer- tain overdue corrective action such as obtaining agent reports of drop results for prompt dispatch to the air base in Guatemala, - 107 -