Official History of the Bay of Pigs Operation- Volume 2- Part 1

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to approve spoiling raids and tactical
airstrikes from Puerto Cabezas beginning
D-l. 37/*
Despite discussion of these issues, when Barnes
prepared his background memorandum for the DCI to use
at the 5 January meeting of the Special Group, the
questions and problems which have just been mentioned
were totally ignored! With reference to Puerto Cabezas,
Barnes said that steps had been taken to prepare the
strike base
and we are planning to move to Puerto
Cabezas substantial amounts of material
[sic] starting around the 15th or 20th
of January, including aviation ordnance,
resupply ammo and weapons for ground
forces, aviation gas, diesel fuel, and
possibly some extra one-man packs,
although work on the base did not actually begin until
late January or early February 1961. 38/**
* In view of what would subsequently become one of
the most controversial issues concerning the whole Bay
of Pigs operation -- the number and nature of the air-
strikes -- it is interesting to note the reference at
this early date to D-l air activity.
** On 11 Jan 61 according to one source, a Headquarters
'team arrived at JMTIDE to arrange for and supervise the
construction; and Rip Robertson was notified to report
to Headquarters on 27 January 1961 "for participation
JMCLEAR planning for JMTIDE construction." 39/ The
Chief, WH/4, PM, Col. Jack Hawkins also noted on
4 January 1961 that "necessary construction and repairs'
at this base are now scheduled to conunence."40/