Far East Command Standing Operating Procedure No. 1 for Atomic Operations in the Far East Command

This 1956 report was “promulgated for the purpose of establishing normal procedures which will ensure the most efficient and expeditious employment of atomic weapons in accordance with JCS policy…Upon initiation of hostilities, on a scale warranting the use of atomic weapons, it is expected that Commander-in-Chief, Far East (CINCFE) will be authorized to employ atomic weapons, in the accomplishment of the theater mission…This standing operating Procedure (SOP) established the procedure to be used in the Far East Command (FEC) for the control and expenditure of atomic weapons. The procedures set forth herein shall be adhered to by all commands concerned with the planning for and execution of atomic strikes…”

This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 

MRBM’s in the Pacific

This 1965 report, commissioned by Secretary of Defense Robert MacNamara, was directed “to determine optimum characteristics and employment of MMRBM-type weapon systems for maximum effectiveness in the Pacific Theater… [and] define optimum and alternative weapon system characteristics, operational concepts, force sizes, deployment schemes and development schedules and costs.” The report concludes that “the Flexible Theater Missile provides the optimum capability to satisfy both the political and military requirements. If political considerations dictate an early deterrent and show of force, the A-1 missile system could be used as an interim capability.”

This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Wartime Interoperability Problems Posed by Differences in South Korean and United States Army Tactics

In this report, prepared for the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1980, James M. Simpson analyzes the differences between South Korean and U.S. Army tactics. The report considers historical, social, psychological and physical influences on conventional attack operations, defense tactics, “special” operations and unconventional warfare tactics. The report also examines the degree to which differing tactics pose problems to combined operations and provides recommendations to resolve them.

The report states that “one weakness in the American forces’ relations with the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) Army over the past several decades has been an assumption that the Koreans have patterned themselves after the Americans. Although the Korean Army has patterned many of its tactical concepts after the American tactics … they are independent thinkers and have developed a form of fighting which is consistent with the Korean personality, terrain and perceived threat.”

This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Nautilus Institute Global Disclosure Project: Document List

Global Disclosure (FOIA)   1st Seminar – 1958-59 “Problem 1 – Analyze U.S. and Sino Soviet Bloc Capabilities in selected less developed countries in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia during the next five years and recommend courses of action to maximize the U.S. position” – June 12, 1959 “Problem 2 – Analyze […]

Nautilus Reports on ROK Student Movement

September 1st, 2004 “The Student Movement in South Korea” By Vincent Brandt July 30, 1987 This report was prepared for the US Department of State and released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). University student protest movements in the Republic of Korea have played an important role in its […]

Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence

Referenced in: Le Monde article (November 20, 2001) Taipei Times op-ed (July 28, 2001) Washington Post article (July 5, 2001) In 1995, CINCSTRAT Admiral Chiles directed the policy subcommittee to the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) to produce a Terms of Reference that could be used as a baseline for other SAG subcommittees in “expanding the […]

B-1B Lancer Nuclear Rerole Plan

Although the B-1B is widely described by military officials as a “conventional-only” bomber, the Pentagon maintains a “nuclear rerole plan” under which “spare” nuclear bombs for the aircraft are maintained in the Active Reserve Stockpile of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to quickly return the bombers to nuclear strike missions if necessary. The B-1 bombers’ SIOP […]

Nautilus Institute Reports on Nuclear Artillery Field Exercises

U.S. Department of the Army, Headquarters Seventh Infantry Division Artillery, “Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1968,” June 15, 1968. This report released to the Nautilus Institute Under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Read the Report here. In 1968, tensions were much higher in the Korean Peninsula than today. The United […]