Gibson - To the Brink of Nuclear War

John McCone (19021991)

John McCone was the 6th. Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and served in that capacity from 1961 to 1965. He was one of the key figures in the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm) during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

John McCone @CIADirectorMcCone

The New Year's Day parade in Havana, Cuba is providing us with the first reliable intelligence on the extent of Soviet Bloc arms deliveries to Cuba.

Soviet-made tanks on parade in Plaza Jose Marti in Havana (January 1, 1962).

John McCone @CIADirectorMcCone

Aircraft assets in the possession of the Cuban Revolutionary Air Force are estimated to include around sixty Soviet-built jet fighters, primarily MiG-15 and MiG-17 aircraft.

George McManus @McManusCIA

There are also a limited number of somewhat more advanced MiG-19 planes, plus small numbers of helicopters and light transport aircraft which have been provided recently.

Edward Lansdale (19081987)

Edward Lansdale was a Major General in the United States Air Force who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the CIA. From 1957 to 1963, Lansdale worked for the Department of Defense in Washington. During the early 1960s he was chiefly involved in clandestine efforts to topple the government of Cuba, including operations to sabotage Cuban industry, disrupt daily life in the capital and assassinate Fidel Castro. In 1963, he was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

Today, I outlined for the President the 32 planning tasks under Operation Mongoose.

Operation Mongoose

Operation Mongoose (or the Cuban Project) was overseen by the SGA (Special Group Augmented) and the CIA. This was a covert operation of sabotage and subversion activities against Cuba. It was developed during the early months of President John F. Kennedy's administration with the aim of overthrowing Castros government. On November 30, 1961, aggressive covert operations against Fidel Castro's revolutionary government in Cuba had been authorized by the President. The operation was led by Lansdale and went into effect shortly after the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

The full range of planning tasks range from intelligence gathering to sabotage actions with the intent of encouraging an effective opposition political movement within Cuba.

Robert Kennedy @RFKAttorneyGeneral

We hope to eventually generate a revolt leading to the downfall of the Castro government. However, I envisage that we will need to provide military support in the later stages of such a revolt.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

We will mount a grenade attack on the Chinese embassy in Havana, mine the approaches to major Cuban harbors, set an oil tanker afire outside Havana and attack oil refineries in Havana and Santiago.

Robert F. Kennedy (19251968)

In 1962, Robert Kennedy, the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, was the U.S. Attorney General and oversaw the CIAs activities and efforts to overthrow the Castro government under Operation Mongoose. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he played a pivotal role as one of the Presidents closest advisors and as a clandestine intermediary between the White House and senior Soviet officials in Washington.

Robert Kennedy @RFKAttorneyGeneral

Landsdales covert sabotage plans for Cuba are beginning to take shape and some are ambitious indeed. However, he does seem to be a man capable of bringing such things off.

Robert Kennedy @RFKAttorneyGeneral

A solution to the Cuban problem today carries top priority in U.S. Government. No time, money, effort or manpower is to be spared.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

I envisage our covert operations against Cuba proceeding in six scheduled phases: Phase I. Action, March 1962. Start moving in. Phase II. Build-up, April July 1962.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

Phase III. Readiness, 1 August 1962. Check for final policy decision. Phase IV. Resistance, August September 1962. Move into guerrilla operations.

Edward Lansdale @AssSecSpecialOperations

Phase V . Revolt, first two weeks of October 1962. Open revolt and overthrow of the Communist regime. Phase VI. Final, during month of October 1962. Establishment of new government in Cuba.

John McCone @CIADirectorMcCone

The President told his brother in the Oval Office today that, the final chapter on Cuba has not yet been written - it's got to be done and will be done!