capability, they believed that the second squadron would have to be manned by USAF personnel, as well 120 . Deployment plans were based on a "floating M date" during the latter part of 1958. In other words, from the time the agreement was signed, two missiles and supporting GSE would be deployed to be in place 60 days later, and at T-15 readiness at the end of 75 days. The remaining four missiles would be in place at M plus 120 days, and in a combat readiness state at 135 days. This particular plan was of short duration, for in early 1959 changes were made to the effect that the total squadron of 15 missiles would deploy. Schedules used a 150-day factor between the signing of a technical agreement and shipment of the first equipment, with first 1 March 1959 and then 1 April designated as M-Day. The signing of the government- to-government (GTG) agreement on 26-27 March confirmed the 1 April date for planning purposes 121 . With the signing of the document, it appeared that the program was under way, but this was not the case. Italy insisted that the GTG agreement lacked sufficient detail and a technical agreement would have to be signed between the IAF and USAF. Points of contention involved funding matters, site construction by Italian contractors, and some component fabrication by Italian industry. Discussions on these matters began to stretch out, and by June it was realized that the 1 April M-Day was no longer compatible with a realistic program. DOD rescinded the date on 1 July and indicated that the new M-Day would coincide with _____________________________

120. JUP Prog Rpt for Nov 58, 8 Dec 58, Hist Off files. 121. Hist, ABMA, Jan-Jun 59; pp. 4-5; JUP Prog Rpt for Dec 58, 8 Jan 59, Hist Off files.