◆ SpookStack

operations for which they were trained so long were about to begin on full scale. The Cubans were probably also aware that Headquarters had been requested to provide the materiel for use by the Cuban air person- nel for the assault phase, including personal side arms and ammunition, submachine guns for the aircraft, light machine guns for base defenses at JMTIDE, watches for pilots, co-pilots, and navigators, binoculars, and other equipment. 91/ Cuban morale undoubtedly received an additional boost with the opening of Gar's bar. In a cable to headquarters on 31 March Thorsrud requested authoriza- tion for: 1. Purchase of operational beer/ cigarettes commencing 31 March on arrival Cuban crews. 2. Plan giving Cuban[s] same privilege as Americans while at JMTIDE. However, most Cubans without funds ... 3. If approved, please advise EGLI 4. For EGLI: Upon receipt answer Par. 3, advised Donigran [Doster] and Dunn [R. J. Durnin] to pick as much beer, cigarettes, and general commisery [com- missary] items as allowable. 92/ In addition to painting the MAnD landing strip for practice STOL operations, another painting problem - 159 -