- 2. Clearances: An initially critical personnel assignment situation occasioned by clearances pending at the beginning of the operational phase was eased as clearances continued to be granted by the AEC. When it became apparent that this Task Group could accomplish its assigned mission with the cleared personnel then available, all ~ pending "Q" clearances were reviewed and only those of personnel who might have an operational need for a "Q" clearance during the garrison phase, or for an unscheduled operation during their tour, were con- tinued. All other pending "Q" clearances were terminated as not required, This resulted in a reduction in the number of "Q" clearances pending from 166 on 24 January to 39 on 3 March 1954! TOP SECRET clearances were granted to all personnel of this Task Group holding an active "Q" clearance. This clearance was based upon the background investigation conducted by the FBI in con- nection with the "Q" clearance, and continues in effect after the individual departs the PPG. Interim SECRET clearances were given to all replacements immediately upon arrival in the PPG based on an examination of avail- able field records, DNA Final type SECRET clearances were initiated by this headquarters on all replacements arriving not already awaiting results of a "Q" clearance application. The number of replacements received plus those personnel whose "Q" clearance applications were terminated as not required raised the number of NAC (SECRET) clearances pending from 72 on 24 January 1954 to 163 on 3 March 19548 T=-Tab G 8-Tab G 7

Select target paragraph3