Search operation planning notes: command post, bivouac, coroner, dog teams, helicopter support
This copy: Part 65 pp. 345–347Also filed at Part 24 pp. 64–66 (primary)
This copy’s own title
Search planning notes re command post, bivouac area, dog teams and helicopter support
Document date 14 March 1972
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 24 pp. 64–66.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
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Id: Cooper-Part-65:345-347
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-65:345-347 Document: Search planning notes re command post, bivouac area, dog teams and helicopter support Id: Cooper-Part-65:345-347 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-65%3A345-347 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
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FBI 164-81, Vault Part 65 pp. 345–347 (DB Cooper-27647–27649), Report, dated 14 Mar 1972 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-65%3A345-347
SUB-E.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
TELEPHONE - company providing service at Ariel Dam is General Telephone of the Northwest, Inc., 265 N. E. 2nd., Gresham, Oregon. Installation of phone at command post at Lake Merwin Park will be $20 for installation and minimum charge of $11.00 per month. TO EXPEDITE HANDLING OF REQUEST FOR INSTALLATION the request would have to be handled through thePortland Division with the installation to be made in the guard house at the Park. Person to be contacted at the phone company is [REDACTED]
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ACCOMMODATIONS - [REDACTED] Holiday Inn, Kelso, Washington advised for 8 rooms (double with two beds) for 10 to 14 days the [REDACTED] requested rate will be $16.50 per room plus tax. [REDACTED] that as much advance notice as possible be given to the motel for [REDACTED] reserving rooms. Laundromat within three blocks open 24 hours. Number of restaurants (one all night) nearby for quick breakfasts & suppers.
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CORONER - Clark County - [REDACTED] [REDACTED], Vancouver.
Cowlitz County - [REDACTED], Washington [REDACTED] - Longview PD
Cowlitz County coroner and deputy have been advised of possibility for their services on short notice. Clark County will be advised on 3/14/72
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SUGGESTIONS FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG PERSONNEL FOR EQUIPMENT AND SEARCH TECHNIQUES - Every searcher to have leather gloves and waterproof shoes Use toilet paper for marking extremities of each grid and use skirmish line with no more than 5' foot intervals between searchers in heavily wooded areas. Then at extremity of search grid entire line can be swung around using one grid extremity marked by paper as guide for next grid. Paper will disintegrate after short time in elements. Terrain is very difficult with windfall and alders in profusion in area near point A. Very slow movement of the line is advised with all personnel instructed to look up as they search as well as on ground. Recommend no more than six hours of search per day. 10 minute breaks every hour and no more than 30 minute break for lunch with field rations. Recommend supplying each searcher with candy bars on daily basis to give quick pickup and replenish calorie use which is approximately 600 calories per hour in heavy wooded area. It is recommended that FBI supply these items which can be secured wholesale through contact at Longview. Recommend straight line at all times with the entir[e line] a suspect area needs intensive search. Recommend an agent at the extremity of the lines o[n] each [REDACTED] control speed and line movement. One agent every [REDACTED] purposes with no more than 5 foot intervals in heavy wooded area.
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SEARCHED [INDEXED] SERIALIZED [FILED] [REDACTED] 1973
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DB Cooper-27647
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Recommend one man on the line have a compass to shoot bearings to keep grid intact. Recommend several agents behind the skirmish line to insure that line maintains itself straight with no straggling. It was pointed out that there is heavy concentration of coyotes, which gives distinct possibility that if hijacker did hit the ground his body could be completely stripped of flesh and clothing. In event a man with a dog is required charge is $175 per day if to be used exclusively on the search. Suggest if Army is approved that a basic training company in last stages of training be employed due to good physical condition. Suggest skirmish line have smoke grenades in event one of searchers is injured and evacuation is necessary by helicopter. Will guide evacuation helicopter to scene with no delay. On steep places encountered these could be skirted and searched with field glasses since in most steep places there is little growth of foliage and trees.
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GENERAL INFORMATION RE PROPOSED COMMAND POST & BIVOUAC AREA
From Lake Merwin Park to Point A through Woodland is 20 miles on good roads. In event it is necessary to cross Lewis River above Lake Merwin a county road crosses at Amboy. In emergency the road acorss Yale Dam could be used according to P? & L Company personnel but this is discouraged. Lake Merwin Park has a double sized vehicle gate which is the only means of entering the Park and Ariel Dam location. This gate could be kept closed with sentry posted to keen out curious and newspaper and other news media. A comfort station with hot showers is available and will be made available by PP & L and is located directly above the picnic table area. Two large cooking shelters - eachwith 12 hot plates and sink with running water. Will be made available for use by PP & L. A small store which can supply immediate needs for small items of military personnel is located immediately outside the entrance gate to Ariel Dam site. Large octagonal shaped guard house about 100 yards from gate can be used as command post. Has light, heat and phone can be installed with all maps necessary for search use mounted over windows. Sufficient gravel roads and black topped area for vehicles to eliminate parking on grass areas and disturbing recreational facilities. Garbage dump nearby for debris removal.
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GENERAL ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR USE
50 WATT RADIO at Command Post for communication with Bureau cars on roads in search area. At least 5 walkie talkies on Bureau channel to be used in conjunction with military radios. One bull horn for briefing purposes. Rain gear for all agent personnel involved in search
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DB Cooper-27648
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It is suggested that in view of Army troops being used that if occasion presents itself a suggestion should be made that a military helicopter should be standing by at search area to assist in fly over to determine that skirmish line is kept straight and within the specified grid area and to immediately check out suspicious items which cannot be reached from ground. Weyerhaeuser Company, Longview has advised a helicopter will be available on short notice. Clark County SO has one helicopter pilot on department with almost immediate access to helicopter. Vancouver PD officer also helicopter pilot with helicopter available on short notice.
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DB Cooper-27649