◆ SpookStack

destruction of the Castro Air Force on D-Day was to be achieved by attacks on eight principal airfields; and, in addition, D-Day air strikes also were scheduled for non-military bases with the intent to cripple the mobile reserves in the barracks and to destroy materiel. 101/ Discussing air cover operations during the assault phase, the following paragraph appears: Provision for fighter escort for air assault forces, air cover of amphibious force, and on-call close air support of ground operational force in all surface operations encompassing approximately 100 square miles of area. Estimated aircraft requirement two fighters on station during daylight hours. 102/ Further examination of this document indicates that there were to be nine apparently small air-mari- time infiltrations in the period between August and 15 November 1960; and on D-Day ~he basic assault was to be a 170 man combat assault force airlifted into Cuba, carrying crew served weapons, mortars, recoiless rifles, small arms, bazookas, and demolitions. To back up the initial strike force, there was to be another 170 man contingency force which "subsequent to delivery of strike force on an on-call basis, for execution within 6 hours of return from first airlift." 103/ - 82 -