◆ SpookStack

Within the first week of the move to JMTIDE, and the rush into the final training activity in anticipa- tion of D-2, Gar Thorsrud received a set of final in- structions concerning the °B-26 operations. The nature of these instructions emphasized that complete authority for target selection, except for tactical close support targets assigned by the Brigade Commander on the beach, would reside at Headquarters. It was stressed that B-26 aircraft commanders should understand this, be- cause deviation from Headquarters authorized targets "could jeopardize the entire operation. Innocent victims or non-tactical target destruction can bring world reaction and/or intervention against this ef- fort." 11/* In addition to the final instructions for the Air Commander of JMTIDE, there was a continuing , reservation about the emotional makeup of the Cuban crews for tactical air operations. For this reason, he was more sympathetic to the frequent requests from the field for the authority to use US pilots during the course of air operations -- even before the tactical air operations began. 10/ * Complete text of these final instructions appears in Appendix 5. - 188 - ~ __E_T_~~---,- ---,- _