mentioned that the emplacements would be located on "the periphery of the Sino-Soviet Bloc," but stated there would be much effort involved in effecting the bilateral agreement with host countries 116 . In June of 1958, Air Force representatives were discussing possible deployment with French NATO personnel 117 , but France did not become a participant in the JUPITER program. By July 1958, the successful deployment of the missile during the year appeared rather unlikely. ABMA had estimated that an initial site selection had to be made by 25 July in order to gain a partial deployment of the first squadron. This date was based on the fact that the contractor needed 215 days to set up the LOX, RIM, munition, and six emplacement areas. Each day beyond the decision cutoff resulted in a corresponding day of slippage 118 . As it turned out, slippage became the rule rather than the exception, for it was long past 25 July 1958 before the necessary agreements were signed. In view of the protracted delays, a question of manning the squadrons arose in September. Conferences with the proposed host country—Italy-- revealed a desire that eventually manning would be completely from the allied nation. Thus, tentative plans indicated USAF manning for the first squadron and NATO manning for the second and subsequent squadron 119 . Later, in November, USAF questioned the advisability of the manning plan unless the agreements were signed by 10 December. To gain the early operational _____________________________

116. SACOP 1-58, 4 Mar 58, subj: SM-78 (JUP) Opnl Plan, Hist Off files. 117. Hist, ABMA, Jan-Jun 58, p. 79, Hist Off files. 118. JUP Prog Rpt for Jul 58, 8 Aug 58, Hist Off files. 119. JUP Prog Rpt for Sep 58, 8 Oct 58, Hist Off files.