Cryptonym: QKDAWN
CIA document: Pages 95-96: ..."The Air Support Annex I (Eye) to Paramilitary Operations Plan #1 (Operations Plan 60, AD-5), set forth its initial mission as follows: A. To conduct tactical air training, designed to produce 12-15 combat qualified pilots in B-26 aircraft no later than 1 November 1960. B. To conduct air training designed to produce 8-10 C-46 transport pilots as soon as practicable. 1/ In terms of its operational responsibility, the plan went on to say: The development of a controllable, deniable air strike force has been levied on QKDAWN, in support of PM Plan #1 of JMARC. The requirement calls for a deterrent force, capable of neutralizing various operational targets such as shipping, docking facilities, economic stockpiles, and, in general, harassment of the target area regime to include marginal close order support to the extent of the aircraft's capability. A task force capable of six month's sustained operation is planned. 2/*..."
104-10171-10111: CABLE: FOLLOWING GROUP, FORMER BATISTIANOS WHOSE MEMBERS CLAIM
11/10/60: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline JMNET QKDAWN: Handwritten note: "Action change 14 Nov 60 per Mr. Newton to Col. Douglas WH": "1. Following group, former Batistianos whose members claim no outstanding charges against them as war criminals, malversation public funds, etc., wish offer their technical services help AMRASP (FRD - Democratic Revolutionary Front) consolidate during and after Castro overthrow, following which would retire from scene: A. Antonio Sanchez Mena, former president Cooperativa Omnibus Aliados and Omnibus Metropolitancs. B. Jose A. Cabergas Saine, former president Retiro Maritimo, which controlled 26 ports of Cuba. C. Sergio Parra Perez, former assistant administrator Ferrocarriles Occidentales; former coordinator Ferrocarriles Consolidas de Cuba. D. Oscar Samalea Gonzalez, former secretary Sindicato Plantas Electricas Havana province and of Federacion Nacional de Plantas Electricas. E. Fidel Cordero, former organizing secretary Cooperativa Omnibus Aliados. F. Gilberto Galan, former Asesor Transporte and Construccion. G. Rolando Leonard, former Asesor Asuntos Juridicos CTC and Federacion Azucarera. H. Mario Alvarez, former secretary general Sindicato Puerto de la Habana. I. Facundo Pomar Soler, former secretary general Federacion Transporte. J. Jose Suarez Rivas, former MINLABOR, labor expert. K. Raul Valdivia, former member CTC. L. Jose E. Lopez Vilaboy, former president Cubana de Aviacion. 2. Each above claims have at least 12 years experience his line and extensive service prior Batista. Willing have AMRASP assign political commissars under whose control group could work out consolidation plan. 3. Comments: Above plan from LITAU-1's father who realizes problems involved but feels all possible assets should be integrated in showdown against Castro..."
11/14/60: Cable from Director to RIMM, Eglin Air Force Base and Yogurt: Slugline OPIM RIMM EGLI YOGU: ..."3. If RIMM receives transmission from LIMROT at check point 5 indicating they are diverting to alternative base or returning Eglin, RIMM is directed to pass similar instructions immediately to PEKSOR advising QKDAWN and Eglin after accomplishing..."
104-10228-10299: CABLE: MIRO FLIGHT WILL LAND GUAT FIRST, THEN PROCEED MADD. ETA GUAT IS 0600 LOCAL
03/29/61: Cable from BELL to JMADD and Guatemala City (Orig: E. A. Stanulis, Unit: DC/WH/4): Slugline JMZIP QKDAWN: "Miro flight will land GUAT first, then proceed MADD. ETA GUAT is 0600 local."
104-10229-10344: CABLE: IN VIEW FOLLOWING FACTORS - REQUIREMENT RETURN AMBUD-1
04/01/61: Cable from JMTIDE to BELL: Slugline JMZIP QKDAWN: "1. In view following factors - requirement return AMBUD-1, C-46 not returned from MEXI, crew rest needed for C-54 crews, inadvisable press for 1 April departure. 2. Therefore re-schedule entire movement 2 April (to include TRAV team) schedule interim air-lift MADD-TIDE to allow max effort this date. Coordinate with Col. Villafana and Cosme explaining delay. 3. For Safranek: Plan B-26 morning formation as scheduled weather permitting. Will assist covering 2 April departure. 4. For Flow: In view paragraph 1 and 2 this only wise course of action this time. Will allow TIDE another badly needed 24 hours to complete house keeping arrangements. Also could use at least one additional C-54 flight EGLI-MADD-TIDE morning 2 April. Advise."
104-10227-10039: CABLE: IDEN REQUESTED IS THAT OF REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL. AS OF
04/22/61: Cable from JMBELL to JMTIDE (Orig: G. Droller, Unit: C/WH/4/PA): Slugline RYBAT JMZIP QKDAWN: REF: TIDE 998 (IN 6077)* "IDEN requested is that of Revolutionary Council. As of moment council president Miro Cardona and Antonio de Varona, who in charge milit matters, plus one other individual as yet unnamed will make trip. WH Comment: *Requested definition AMBUD - names and numbers." Releasing Officer: J. D. Esterline, C/WH/4. Authenticating Officer: Gerard Droller, C/WH/4/PA.
104-10260-10209: CABLE RE: BY COINCIDENCE MET NUMEROUS CUBANS WHILE IN MIAMI 19 AND 20 MAY
05/23/61: Cable from JMTIDE to BELL: Slugline QKDAWN JMZIP: TEEGAN FROM SEIG: "By coincidence met numerous Cubans while in Miami 19 and 20 May. Zuniga, Garcia, Herrera, Soto, Ferren, Alberto, to name a few. They were upset that they appeared to have been forgotten. They appeared very happy to see me and placed importance on my being there. Some wanted to come to TIDE with me to keep the equipment here in condition and to stay proficient in flying. After their rest they gave appearance of being more determined to continue in some way. They stated they were tired of sitting also not having a better direct contact with our air section people. They had continuous gripes toward mishandling by their own office. From all outward evidence Farias is doing the talking to the newspapers. A Cuban pilot by name of Pedro Diaz Lanz is creating some disturbance by trying to take over, but I do not believe he will succeed. The hard core will remain together as the same unit and will be and are ready if needed. Their present fear is HQs forgetting them and they will start disbursing and lose their hard core personnel. Some have had offers from as far away as the Congo. They are a good stable group of trained men. With even small effort we could keep them busy and make them feel useful. The cost would be negligible from the value gained when needed."
104-10235-10258: CABLE-AS REQUESTED REF HEREWITH ARE NAMES
07/18/62: Cable from JMWAVE to Director (PW/Caponong): "1. As requested ref Hurwitch are names PBRUMEN (Cuban) army and air force officer candidates and alternates for training ODYOKE (U.S. Government) service schools as revised by AMBUD. Hurwitch phoned Passavoy 16 July to effect AMBUD should include four air force officers in the list with total not to exceed twelve...C. Air force officers: Luis Cosme Toribio, Matias Farias Alejo, Antonio Soto Vasquez and Rene Garcia Fernandez...5. Rene Garcia Fernandez (para C) is of QKDAWN interest hence suggest HQs check their opinion re including him for training."