Research for Deployments

This study presents data and OEG analyses relevant to MARKET TIME operations as of the early spring of 1966, and describes the infiltration threat, the forces involved, and their method of operation. Estimates of the Viet Cong infiltration rate and their significance are discussed. Barrier design and effectiveness estimates, when a few inflitrators must be distinguished from many innocent ships, are considered. The probability of detecting and identifying steel infiltrators is determined to be high because their presence near the South Vietnamese coast is conspicuous. Steel hull ships within 3 miles of the coast are generally boarded, inspected from close aboard, or kept under surveillance. Viet Cong junks transship small quantities of arms, supplies, and people between points within South Vietnam and present tactics are capturing many such transshipments. With present MARKET TIME tactics, using 3 offshore patrol rings, infiltration by sea appears to be quite low, although present tactics are not the most efficient ones for the specific purpose of preventing infiltration by junk from outside South Vietnam.