478. Memorandum From the Director for Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff (Unger) to the President’s Military Aide (Clifton)0
Washington, June 4,
1963.
SUBJECT
- SEATO Forces in Thailand During June 1963
- 1.
- During the period 11–24 June 1963, a total of some 25,000 military personnel from all SEATO nations will participate in Exercise Dharnarajata in Thailand. These include 17,000 Thais, 7,449 US (in addition to the 4,218 US military personnel now stationed there), and approximately 1,000 from the Commonwealth nations (United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand) and the Philippines, France and Pakistan.
- 2.
- US forces participating in the exercise consist of one infantry battle group from Hawaii, one airborne brigade from Okinawa, one tactical fighter squadron (18 F-400), tactical reconnaissance fighters (4 RF-101), and transport aircraft (14 C-130). In addition, 315th Air Division and MATS aircraft will be entering and leaving the country during deployment, exercise, and redeployment to provide airlift to all Services.
- 3.
- For the exercise, a Commonwealth brigade (one rifle company each from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, each representing a battalion), with fighter, bomber and transport aircraft will participate. France, Pakistan and the Philippines are supplying headquarters staff officers. The Philippines are also sending elements of ordnance and engineer units. The Thais are using four regimental combat teams, special forces units and aircraft.
- 4.
- It is planned that the US battle group from Hawaii will remain in Thailand until some time after 5 July 1963, for further training and area indoctrination.