◆ SpookStack

make suggestions about air operations which had no necessary relation to the facts. In commenting on the enemy capability to interdict or deny JMATE the use of the Florida and British airbases, Egan stated: By air attack the Government of Cuba's current capability to mount air strike operations of any magnitude against JMARC bases is considered to be minimal. GOC, however, does possess the capability to conduct small scale air attacks (1-2 planes) utilizing B-26 aircraft. Major limitation to this capability is the current lack of politically reliable GOC flying crews. 106/ The point, of course, which Egan overlooked was that Castro did have the T-33's and Sea Furies which could reach the bases which might be established in either the Bahamas or in the southern part of Florida. The FAR was to be the primary target of much of the photo reconnaissance that has just been mentioned. The August 1960 USAF report identified the various \ types and numbers of aircraft, including an estimate that among others there were some 30-odd combat types including B-26's, Sea Furies, and T-33's. Of these USAF intelligence estimated that there were 12 B-26's, 6-8 Sea Furies, and 4 T-33's, which might be used for - 85 -