◆ SpookStack

Initiation of Agency operations at Opalocka soon became the focus of local business interests which had commercial designs on the property and of the n~media. Fortunately, DOD's initial cover story that the facility was being used for storage of out- dated ammunition by an Army element prior to ultimate disposal -- had been replaced by a more effective story of FAA responsibility for the activities at Opalocka. This was brought to the attention of the Executive Officer/DCI, John S. Erman, on 8 November 1960 by Col. Stanley Grogan, the Agency's public information officer. Grogan noted that Jim Haggerty of the White House staff and Andrew Berding of State had been asked by the Washington representative of the Knight newspapers to discuss allegations that CIA was operating a training camp at Opalocka. Both the White House anct the State representa- tives referred the newspaper people to the Agency, but when a DOD representative remarked that the facility was under GSA control, the newsmen immediately pursued that lead. The GSA representative did confirm that the Opalocka Naval Base was surplus, adding that it was his understanding that the Navy was using the area - 63 -