Supervisor J. Robert Sutthoff to SAC Seattle re helicopter standby during hijacking
This copy: Part 11 pp. 266–268Also filed at Part 11 pp. 263–265 (primary)
This copy’s own title
Supervisor J. Robert Sutthoff to SAC Seattle re helicopter standby during hijacking (file copy)
Document date 29 November 1971
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 11 pp. 263–265.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
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Id: Cooper-Part-11:266-268
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-11:266-268 Document: Memo Supervisor J. Robert Sutthoff to SAC Seattle re helicopter standby during hijacking (file copy) Id: Cooper-Part-11:266-268 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-11%3A266-268 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
A person reads every report. Corrections are made by hand, to the data — titles, dates, names, which pages belong together — never to the scans, and they can take a while to appear.
FBI 164-81, Vault Part 11 pp. 266–268 (DB Cooper-2193–2195), Memo, dated 29 Nov 1971, serial SE 164-81-283 (as read from the transcript) — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-11%3A266-268
SAC, SEATTLE (164-81) November 29, 1971
SUPERVISOR J. ROBERT SUTTHOFF
UNSUB; Northwest Airlines Flight #305 Portland to Seattle 11/24/71 CAA - HIJACKING; EXTORTION
00: Seattle
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The following information is set forth for record purposes:
Shortly after receipt of UNSUB's demands in this matter, I contacted Major [REDACTED] concerning the possibility of having the Seattle PD helicopter on standby in the event needed. Shortly after this, I was contacted by [REDACTED] of the Harbor Unit who advised that the Seattle PD helicopter would be kept on standby and pointed out that it was at least a twenty minute flight to Sea-Tac from the Harbor Unit's pad. I suggested to [REDACTED] that the helicopter be moved to Boeing Field under the circumstances but that under no circumstances should it be sent to Sea-Tac except at our specific request. [REDACTED] stated that the helicopter would be piloted by [REDACTED]
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I also contacted SA [REDACTED] concerning the desirability of having a helicopter from Fort Lewis or McChord on standby. [REDACTED] called back, advising that Fort Lewis had the more desirable helicopter for use under these circumstances and that such a helicopter was being kept on active alert on the pad at Fort Lewis, and that any further data or request concerning the need for the helicopter should be relayed to [REDACTED] telephone number [REDACTED]
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Shortly after this, SA [REDACTED] was also advised of the necessity of alerting the Air Force at McChord concerning events taking place. This was done by SA [REDACTED] who advised that it was his understanding that all directions thereafter concerning takeoff of these standby McChord Air Force planes would be received by the Air Force directly by Air National Guard Headquarters at Boise, Idaho.
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2 - Seattle JRS/cjw (2)
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[stamp partially illegible] FBI—SEATTLE 164-81-283
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DB Cooper-2193
SE 164-81
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Later on in the evening, after the flight of the Northwest Airlines plane involved in this matter had been followed, it was determined that the plane was out of range at Fort Lewis for Seattle PD helicopter. Both [REDACTED] at Fort Lewis and [REDACTED] at the Seattle PD were advised and appreciation was expressed for their cooperation.
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(It is noted at this time the Northwest plane was under surveillance by U. S. Air Force planes out of McChord).
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Upon receipt of the list of passengers aboard Northwest Flight 305, November 24, 1971, who had boarded at Portland, Oregon, NCIC was contacted telephonically. It was pointed out that the only information available to us at the time concerning these passengers was the name on the tickets collected at Portland, and that no dates of birth were available nor any other numerical identifiers.
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[REDACTED] then on duty at NCIC, advised that she would immediately check the printout for current Bureau fugitives in NCIC and thereafter advise of the following whose surnames were the same as surnames noted on the Portland passenger list:
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[REDACTED — large block redaction, b6/b7C]
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(It is noted that none of these three fit the then available description of the UNSUB, either by age or by physical description).
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NCIC advised that there is no printout for deserters nor is there a printout available for current local fugitives.
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2
DB Cooper-2194
SE 164-81
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Later on the evening of November 24, 1971, I received a call from SA [redacted] at the Phoenix Office. Phoenix had just received a call from the Bureau but was referred to Seattle for available details at the time. I informed SA [redacted] of details then available to me such as the monetary demands and the demands relative to conditions under which the flight was to be made out of Seattle. During the course of the evening I subsequently contacted SA [redacted] and advised him of current information relative to the whereabouts of the Northwest flight after it had left Sea-Tac Airport. When I received word over radio from the CP that FAA at Seattle was turning over control of the flight to FAA at Red Bluff, I so advised SA [redacted] and suggested that he contact the San Francisco Office to arrange for further information concerning the tracking of the plane.
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b6 b7C
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3
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DB Cooper-2195
Serials: SE 164-81, SE 164-81-283