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Page:Iran Air Flight 655 investigation.djvu/20

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SECRET NOFORN

  1. UPX-29 IFF operations;
  2. Reconstruction of Command and Decision (C&D) console operator actions;
  3. Comparison of tape data analysis with statements by operators;
  4. C&D doctrine enabled and entered;
  5. Internal voice configuration and capability; and,
  6. Environmental effects on system performance.

5. (U) As the investigation progressed, the statements and testimony of the witnesses were integrated into the timeline extracted from the data reduction, to form a chronology of the engagement. That chronology is attached as I.O. Exhibit (104) to the hearing. Timelines became essential elements of the investigation, particularly as regards the short time period (minutes and seconds) in which the Commanding Officer was required to make his decision to fire. This time period is referred to as the "critical time period" throughout the report.
U
6. (S) Because of a divergence between the recorded data on the USS VINCENNES's tapes and the recollection of the witnesses concerning what they saw and when they reported what they saw, a USN Medical Corps Team consisting of a psychiatrist and a physiologist were requested by the Senior Investigating Officer to come to Bahrain. They arrived in Bahrain after the formal hearing closed. They were requested to determine whether the dynamics of the situation which confronted the crew of the USS VINCENNES impacted on their ability to perceive and relay the data which was available to them. Their analysis is provided at Enclosure (18).

7. (U) Certain items relevant to the investigation were not available to the Senior Investigating Officer. These items were primarily those which Iran could best provide (black box, recovery of wreckage, manifest, list of deceased, etc.). Requests for assistance through diplomatic channels were submitted via Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command, to obtain this information for inclusion in the report of investigation as appropriate. (Encl 12).

8. (U) Enclosures (2) through (24) contain information relevant to the investigation, but were obtained or prepared after the adjournment of the investigation hearing.

9. (U) Certain intelligence statements were prepared utilizing documents or sources classified higher than SECRET/NOFORN Dissemination. References to those documents are contained in I.O. Exhibit (232) Copies of the actual documents in I.O. Exhibit (232) will be retained in the Special Security Office, U.S. Central Command.

10. (U) All times listed in the findings of fact and opinions are

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SECRET NOFORN