I' SEC DEF H AS SEE_ 9 JUN 1977 ·- CONTROL NUMBER 2085 REGISTER OF PERSONNEL HANDLING LASSIFIED DOCUMENT RETURN TO OFFICE CHAIRMAN JCS ROOM 2E86S• THE PENTAGON' co · DOCUMENT NUMBER NUMBER DJSM-1035-77 14 Jun 77 O w ehcl SUBJECT Exercise IVORY ITEM · Tl-IE ABOVE-DESCRIBED DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN THIS OFFICE lRCULATION OF THIS DOCUMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS INDICATED BELOW THE DOCUMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO TfiE ADMI NI STRATI VE OFFICE FOR RECORD PRIOR TO DISPATCH TO ANOTHER OFFICE OR OTHER DISPOSITION THIS F'ORM ·w1LL NOT BE REMOVED FROM SUB JECT DOCUMENT• INITIA NAME TO CHAIRMAN JCS EXECUTIVE tl Jv-J 77 O 01 THE CHAIRMAN ADMINISTRATIVE 04 ASSISTANT CHAIRMANS STAFF GROUP AIR FORCE MBR 01B CHAIRMANS STAFF GROUP NAVY MBR OfC CHAIRMANS STAFF GROUP · 15 June 1977 OD THE ASSISTANT TO I REMARKS MARINE MBR 01D CHAIRMANS STAFF GROUP OtE ARMY MBR r ·B e_ 1 ACTIO REQUESTED - APPROVAL PROPOSAL 2 As a result of problems experienced on IVORY ITEM exercise conducted l Jun 77 J-3 proposes that SECDEF and possibly o r Washington principals receive two briefings which focus on explanation of the tactical warning systems and SIOP execution consider ations and decision handbook procedures 3 Briefings would provide opportunities for SECDEF to exchange ideas with experts on the SIOP and hopefully take the DDO's out of that role LEGAL ADVISOR ANO LEGISLATIVE ASST 01F SPECIAL ASSISTANT SPEECHES OtG OS ARMY AIDE 4 They recommend CJCS discuss this subject with SECDEF at tt o trrh thn Friday 17 June with offer to present suggested briefings at an early date Recommend approval to J-3 be withheld pending discussion with SECDEF 06 eclassified uthority 25723 y Amanda eimer L _J_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-l ate 02-23-2017 ------------------------ 7' - - - ------- NW# 2 723 oocI 31099450 1 b • r - - DEC-LASS01ED 1Authority --- -2 W I ····- -- ' OJCS SUMMARY SHEET CLASSIFICATION TO CJCS 'fO P 8DOR135P FOR USE BY ORIGINATING DIRECTORATE DJSM NO THRU DJS Viee Director Joint Staff DJSM DATE ODJS SUSPENSE DATE llf 7·7 U SUBJECT APPROVAL Exercise IVORY ITEM l S JUN 1977 'J3M 1 9 0 1 1977 ACTION SIGNATURE INFORMATION OTHER X REMARKS 1 -Ee At TAB A is an After Action Report on the IVORY IT M Exericse conducted 1 June 1977 The report discusses sequence of events communications and responds to questions raised in the course of discussion The After Action Report is provided for your use·as desired in discussing the exercise with the Secretary of Defense 2 Exercise IVORY ITEM was designed to approximate a Missile Attack Conference and to exercise the SIOP Decision Handbook alternatives The DDO NMCC is charged with being the conference manager and to lead a discussion of SIOP execution procedures from a bolt out of the blue pe spective I am confident that our DDOs can do that and do it well I am less confident that they can answer questions on the consequences of execution 11 details of a particular option or that they are qualified to be offering doctrinaire opinions on the nuances of the SIOP They have come dangerously close to doin9 both in our recent exercises 3 I believe our IVORY ITEM experience to date has ide tifiedthe need for the Secretary of Defense and possibly other Washington area principals to receive two briefings which might preclude in future exercises the kinds of questions that concern us They would focus on · a -re - An exposure to and explanation of the tactical warning systems Purpose would be to explain what information will be COORDINATION APPROVAL ACTION OFFICER OFFICE C A Stewart LTC USA EA Div J-3 X59514 _NAME J-3 DATE OF PREPARATION 1 n T ino JCS 1 077 FORM NO JULY 72 NW# 2 723 9 oocid 31099450 EXTENSION OFFICE NAME EXTENSION _ '· available how it i assumed b -tet'A briefing on the SIOP Execution Considerations and SIOP Decision Handbook procedures This will provide an appropriate vehicle for discussion and an exchange of information on the procedures which would be used for execution of the SIOP in both a developing crisis situ tion a_s well as a no-notice attack 4 U The above briefings would afford the opportunity for the Secretary to sit down around the table with the experts for an exchange of ideas 5 U Recommend CJCS invite the Secretary of Defense to attend the briefings discussed in subparagraphs 3a and b above 2 INW# 2 i723 I Docid 31099450 A NW# 2 723 Docld 31099450 j6P SEGREJ AFTER ACT ION REPORT Exercise IVORY ITEM 1 An IVORY ITEM Exercise was directed by the Secretary of Defense on 1 June 1977 Sequence of exercise events follows ii-0-ZSxS·· S •• Nti# 2 723 •················•···························································· JBP SECRET Docld 31099450 Cutho u r ·-1 i 7 1 II IBP SEBRET I 3 The following items which arose duri g the discussion are considered of sufficient importance to warrant clarification a The desired intent of this scenario was to indicate a large-scale ICBM attack by the USSR against the CONUS However the attack was perceived as limited in nature due to the arti- _------------------ ficialities of the exercise 1 The number of E0 5 JS ···· ·- ·· ·· ·- ···- _ • ·------ _______________ _ a was intended to assist in response option determination and decision time available b indicated that the BMEWs trackers were providing accurate information for initial attack characterization time-to-go before nuclear impact 2 fOP SEGRE 1------------ - - - -- -- INW# 25723 1 • Docid 31099450 r--DicLASSll IltD -7 t Authority _____ t I - _ fOP SE8iiEt ' d receipt of SLBM launch reports wou1¥·· _of ··c rse drastically reduce available decision time t - ore -·Ii - ear detonation ·• Due to the above artificialities and time constrai t associ ed- with the scenario the increasing number ofl - ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' Future scenariq' ··· wil_ · be designed to eliminate this misunderstanding b In this exercise scenario or in any where CONUS is under a large-scale surprise missile attack and Washington is a sesse· · to be a target -I ' ' - Cl ·Post attack execution of the SIOP would be jeopard ed by 3 NW# 2 723 DocI 31099450 if A thatity · 7 1 l - - - - ' TOP SE6HET ··•····· ····················· ·•·•··•·························•·•·•··· The recolilmended procedure is to execute the iit- ternative considered appropriate based on the most complete and con· - dent attack assessment available To not do so could not only jeopardize the I c Additional clarification on how the recommendation would be formulated for presentation to the President 4 NW# 2 723 Docid 31099450 r-· DicLA SsIFIED AuthO rity I 7 __ _ _ --- - 723 Ii I eP SECRET • f he Chairman as well as the remainder of the Joint Chiefs and the commanders of the unified and specified commands would be available for consultation as time permits It is expected that the Chairman would be the primary spokesman for the military in presenting recommendations to the NCA These procedures and the three alternatives were reviewed with the President in the Blair House presentation d With respect to the colllllle _1 J hel I as a possible alternative •··········· fo2s ··· s ___ l-a rE ···· ·· available for immediate execution in a surprise attack scenario e In regard to calculating residual fatalities The fatality assessments provided in the scenario were computed by the JSTPS using the Comprehensive Blast and Radiation Assessment COBRA computer program This pr gram predicts the expected fatalities from both prompt effects blast and initial radiation and delayed effects fallout for a six-month period for the specific attack option executed The COBRA program provides the best estimates available at this time 5 NW# 25723 Docid 31099450 »' - 2 9 JUN 1971 OJCS SUMMARY SHEET TO FOR USE BY ORIGINATING DIRECTORATE CLASSIFICATION CJCS SEC DEF HJ Cl I left DJSM NO THRU ODJS SUSPENSE DATE DJS DJSM DATE ACTION SUBJECT APPROVAL Exercise IVORY ITEM OTHER SIGNATURE INFORMATION X REMARKS 1 Reference J-3 memorandum J3M 1301 13 June 77 subject Exercise ITEM After Action Report IVORY 2 Attached point paper responds to oral tasking from ACJCS related to subject exercise E025x5 Js························································································································· 4 IVORY ITEM exercise experience and this tasking again points out the urgency of a CJCS meeting with the Secretary and aJ proer ia -J CS consi er on staff to discuss tactical warning systems and SIOP Exec t··· ations Decis on Handbook procedures I s 'D 'S'EC _ 'k J S _ _ -- - 6 JUL 1977 - 'I j'4 t' v' a- fl - ' JJ l _r p ' t' J- t - n - - j ACTION OFFICER L w MAGEE Col USAF Chief Strat Ops Div J-3 Ext 57920 COORDINATION APPROVAL OFFICE J-3 _NAME - r _ - DATE OF PREPARATION JCS FORM NO JULY 72 INW# 2 723 I • 9 Docid 31099450 EXTENSION - OFFICE NAME EXTENSION 0 WORKING PAPER Destroy when no longer needed Point Paper for the Secretary of Defense for use in discussions with White House SUBJECT Exercise IVORY ITEM MAIN THRUST OF POINT PAPER - Summarizes intended purpose of IVORY ITEM Exercises addresses support of NCA SIOP decisionmaking in non-time-constrained fully-generated force posture and surprise attack normal readiness· posture · situations Provides an illustrative matrix DISCUSSION - Exercise IVORY ITEM was designed to approximate a Missile Attack conference in a time-constrained large-scale surprise attack situation with forces in normal readiness posture and to exercise rinci als in SIOP execution rocedures f ---JS·································································································· - In a non-time-constrained m tnting crisis situation allowing for generation of our nucl ar fo s a wide range of options is available for considera ion by ·t NCA These include Sel g tive releMe of SPeci ffo weaponf - -j and the ful L __range of SIOP options TAB A ·· I _ I ·• - In response to is cu t'entl con- ·------------ __ • ··- __ - In-depth discussion of the SIOP would be of more value if conducted with appropriate s aff support IVORY ITEM exercises not currently constructed to provide it - Decision matrix is a useful educational tool but is not considered s2 e ropriate for actual response de i sio nauri der surprise attack t s ¼ - Real- time Tactical Warning A ack Assessment data will not 15e available with ' 1ff i ien r2 ec ision t o- ppo'rt f inegrainea clecisionmaJfang implied by matrix TAB_C ------- lfOF SE@M'f DocI 31099450 l # I I TAP eiiQRE'f - Publicat_ion_of a matrix for use in actual situations would create sensitive 2re-decision documents subject to compromise leak - Matrix nte ing values are_subj c t Y and best estimate of USSR options - mar not cover complete range TAB D i E025x5 Js·······························································-·······················I - Regarding question on recognition of telephone conferees adequate procedures xist TAB E lc --r1 o J o eoL MAl rt 5 3 € 79 ZO SfBP SECR I 1NW# 2 723 I • 2 23 DocI 31099450 i • t• • ' R -V' t fAJ-5 J 'f8P SBSRE'i' TAB A NON-TIME-CONSTRAINED NUCLEAR RESPONSE d J 114 - c -AP'-11'· - 1 -ft ICC - J -- 6' ' g_ di • 111$ In a non-time-constrained situation involving a mounting·worldwide crisis sufficient time would probably be available to · generate all or most of the non-alert SIOP-comrnitted weapons Under such conditions the NCA has a broad range of options Based on information provided by the CINCs and the National Military Intelligence Center· NMIC and with guidance from the NCA and their advisers i e the NSC and other government rinci als the JCS would·develo - ------· · ii 0·2·5 c5· JS Extent of deliberations regarding the wide range of employment options outlined above is a function of time available in a mounting crisis vis-a-vis the urgent Black Book response driven by a surprise strategic nuclear attack Ff©P BBCiffl'f NW# 2 723 Docid 31099450 Tab A •• t Docld 31099450 --·- --_a- -· r ff j DECLASSllc·mr · Authority N -1 · 1 77 ---1 • • • I TAB -it' MECHANICS OF THE SIOP In surprise nuclear attack decision reaction time will minimal Under current auidance the SIOP i nnc rn oA be The three alternative responses listed below are intended to give the NCA the broadest choice of options available' under a day-to-day· surprise attack situation TAB NW# 2 723 z Docld 31099450 j 02sxs Js ' E025x5 JS TAB INW# 2 723 I DocI 31099450 8 • INW# 2 723 I Id 31099450 - JFIED i f uthority ---i J l il QP 6 8R Jlf SUMMARY US I'ACTICAL WARNING AND ATTACK ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY The following paragraphs summarize current sensor capability to provide the kinds of tactical warning attack assessment TW AA data required for SIOP retaliatory decisionrnaking The sequential questions critical to the decision process are used as the means of assessing existing capability E025x5 'j'S jNW# 2 723 I • DocI 31099450 ········································································································ -- • ' POP f Cftf 1' EOZSRS··-a s • • • • ······• Sf8F 8H8Mlf ------------- x jNW# 2 723 I Docid 310994f--DicLASSIFIED -- • J Authority_ -- -- _-H 77 l -------- ' INW# 25723 I • • Do 1099450 · 02sxs JS -•-·- ·-----·--··- --· 1NW# 2 723 I iOP SECRETDocI 31099450 • C • NW# 2 723 Docld 3 • r ' t• • Subject MISSILE ATTACK CONFEREE RECOGNI ION The following factors provide for the recognition of Missile Attack Conferees - The conference is established on dedicated circuits terminating in CINC command centers which track the CINCs and extend the call to their current locations Washington Principals are tracked by the NMCC Those Principals or their alternates who are at an NMCC direct line are conferenced first Time permitting principals at other than NMCC direct lines are added to the conference °Eo2'5xs···Js················································· NW# 2 723 Docid 31099450 ···············•···•··········•·····•··• --- »Ee··· LASsIFIED · J i j uthonty a 77 · ··7 i I WITHDRAWAL NOTICE RG 218 Box 00030 Series Copies 1 Folder 0001 Document 7005 Pages 23 ACCESS RESTRICTED The item identified below has been withdrawn from this file Folder Title 385 Exercise Ivory Document Date 06-14-1977 Document Type Report From To Subject In the review of this file this item was removed because access to it is restricted Restrictions on records in the National Archives are stated in general and specific record group restriction statements which are available for examination NND 46330 Withdrawn 06-15-2007 by RETRIEVAL# 46330 00030 0001 7005