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got under waYi and although the base was not ready for occupancy as initially scheduled (e.g., by the first week of February 1961), the communications link between the base and I ~n Managua had been established. 82/ with the base at JMTIDE being completed and readied for operation, Garfield M. Thorsrud received a Letter of Instruction on 24 March 1961 assigning him as Chief, JMATE Air Operations at JMADD and JMTIDE; and he was instructed to designate an Acting Chief for JMADD, Air Ops in his absence. It was made quite clear that Thorsrud had authority over all things re- lated to the planned air operation -- personnel, materiel, logistics, or whatever. His responsibilities as Chief of the air operation were distinct from the duties of the COB's of MADD and TIDE. Thorsrud was responsible to the Chief, JMCLEAR (Gaines), who in turn was responsible to Chief, JMATE (Esterline), and , to the Acting Chief of DPD (Beerli). 83/* Thorsrud had been involved in the JMATE activity in a marginal capacity prior to this time. In mid-July * A copy of the Letter of Instruction to Thorsrud appears as Appendix 4. - 154 -