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of the Guatemalan training bases, the contradiction in positions between State and the Agency was obvious. 11/ As the Special Group discussions were going on, Jake Esterline, Chief, WH/4 was in Guatemala taking a first-hand look at the air and ground training bases. As noted in another volume, Esterline went strongly on record in support of the Office of Logistics en- gineer who had been responsible for the reconstruc- tion of the airstrip at Retalhuleu. Jake noted that even though there had been a sizable cost overrun, the task had been performed on time under the most adverse weather conditions; and, consequently, sug- gestions from Headquarters that there had been gross inefficiency were unwarranted and unfounded.* Ester- line's review of the situation at JMTRAV, the ground t~aining base, indicated that the situation there was considerably more difficult than what he had encountered at the air training base. He noted, for example, tha~ there was a severe lack of qualified senior trainers, stating: * For details on construction of the airfield at Retalhuleu, see Office of Logistics, Engineering Staff, RECD, Agency Engineering Activity~ 194?-1966~ Vol. I, 63-67; Vol. II, 132-193. DDS/HS OL-l1, Feb 72. S. - 153 - 'FOr SECRET