What did the declassified documents reveal?

Air Force Communications Project in Formosa, memorandum of conversation, December ninth, nineteen fifty‑three. This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record that documents a Pentagon meeting on a United States air‑field communications effort in the island of Formosa. The document is hosted at the Black Vault archive. The memorandum was released to the public through a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the Central Intelligence Agency. The Black Vault posted the full text on December twenty‑third, nineteen fifty‑three, and the declassification authority is listed as the CIA’s Office of Security. The file is available in the Black Vault’s digital collection. The document reads as follows. “A meeting was held in the Pentagon to discuss various issues relating to the establishment of an Air Force Communications Project in Formosa. Colonel Focht opened the discussion by explaining the steps that had so far been taken to set up the Project in Formosa. He spoke particularly of the need for an agreement with the Nationalist Government to cover the specific requirements of the Project. He felt the present MAAG Administrative Agreement, with certain amendments, would satisfactorily cover the needs of the Air Force with respect to the operation of the Project in Formosa. Colonel Silvers raised a question as to what the status of the Project would be in the event MAAG ceased to function in Formosa. He said he believed it was necessary that there be adequate provision in an exchange of notes to cover the future operations of the Project. Colonel Gavin indicated a belief that it was necessary to get the Project started now and, in the event that a more formal agreement with the Nationalist Government were necessary, it could be negotiated at some future date. Mr. Bahn of the Air Force General Counsel’s Office expressed concern about the need for obtaining the Chinese Government’s approval for the continued operation of the project in the event the MAAG were to cease. The discussion turned to the sizable amount, in United States dollars, that might be lost if the Chinese were to refuse to agree to the continuance of the Project after MAAG ceased to function. Questions were raised by several officers present about the particular relationship the Project would have to MAAG, and whether MAAG would “cover” for the operation or if the Project would have its own identity. Colonel Focht said that the Project would operate without any “cover”; that the present MAAG Administrative Agreement with the Nationalist Government would satisfy most of the needs of the Project; that the Department of Defense would have no particular relationship to MAAG. He noted that an agreement could be prepared that would allow the Project to operate under the provisions of the MAAG Administrative Agreement plus certain additional provisions to cover special requirements. The possible need at some future date for a formal base‑rights agreement was recognized, and it…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

CIA Air Force Communications Project In Formosa, Memorandum Of Conversation

◆ BLUF — The short version

Air Force Communications Project in Formosa, memorandum of conversation, December ninth, nineteen fifty‑three. This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record that documents a Pentagon meeting on a United States air‑field communications effort in the island of Formosa. The document is hosted at the Black Vault archive.

Date: OCT 2 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA Air Force Communications Project In Formosa, Memorandum Of Conversation about?: Air Force Communications Project in Formosa, memorandum of conversation, December ninth, nineteen fifty‑three. This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record that documents a Pentagon meeting on a United States air‑field communications effort in the island of Formosa. The document is hosted at the Black Vault archive.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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CIA Air Force Communications Project In Formosa, Memorandum Of Conversation

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