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Cryptonym: DAMSON

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Definition:
DRE intelligence team in 1962. A dispatch in July of 1962 stated that "after the loss of two radio operators...it is doubtful whether AMSPELL (the DRE) can train and infiltrate the DAMSON team within the next 90 days."
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A dispatch in September, 1962, mentioned the "training of an intelligence team (DAMSON) consisting of a radio operator and two agents." The dispatch also noted that the DAMSON intelligence team would "be formed around radio operator AMHINT-52" and that "the target date for infiltration of the DAMSON team is 15 October, 1962."
Sources:

104-10171-10009: JUNE PROGRESS REPORT - AMSPELL

07/20/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 3: ..."Plans and Development: With the CEDAR team entry in ISOLATION (CIA's Camp Peary, also known as "The Farm") for training postponed until 3 August, as well as the exfiltration of AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) being delayed, the entire AMHINT (probably a branch of the DRE that conducted paramilitary and infiltration operations in Cuba. Their case officer was JMWAVE chief of operations David Morales) timetable is set back about sixty days. After the loss of two radio operators as cited in paragraph A (4) above, it is doubtful whether AMSPELL (the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil, or DRE - Cuban Student Directorate) can train and infiltrate the DAMSON team within the next 90 days..."

104-10171-10041: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT FOR AUGUST 1969.

09/14/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Subject: Operational/GYROSE/KUWOLF AMSPELL Progress Report for August 1962: Pages 2-3: ..."The meeting was not successful. Behind these activities, and concurrent to them, JMWAVE continued processing of 1) the PM CEDAR team: 2) organization of an AMSPELL (the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil, or DRE - Cuban Student Directorate) intelligence section and training of an intelligence team (DAMSON) consisting of a radio operator and two agents...4. Development and Plans...Meanwhile, however, in the developmental stage is the organization and training of an AMSPELL Intelligence Section, to function independent of AMSPELL normal operations and directly in contact with JMWAVE. This will consist of two officers and two secretaries, who will process information gained from debriefing male and female refugee arrivals as well as AMSPELL operational returning personnel. Combined with this effort, is the DAMSON intelligence team, which will be formed around radio operator AMHINT-52 who has returned to operational status. The target date for infiltration of the DAMSON team is 15 October 1962. (See Attachment A). Also, the CEDAR team...c. AMSPELL...AMHINT-49 Radop for processing CEDAR team. AMHINT-52 Radop for processing DAMSON team..." - - - Page 12: Flow chart with headings from left to right "DEBRIEFING/REPORTS" (below) "AMSPELL INTEL" then below "AMHINT-39 (Delio Alberto Gonzalez Riba), AMHINT-57." Then "PSYWAR JMWAVE" and then just under and to the right "DAMSON INTEL OPERATION." There are lines to several "RADOP AMHINT-". Various "Cut-out"(s). Note: Names of Francisco Blanco Fernandez (AMHINT-56) and Lazaro Farinas Ruiz, and AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) and AMHINT-40 (Julio Hernandez Rojo) on the map. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=156432#relPageId=12&search=

104-10170-10051: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 1962

10/09/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 3: ..."B. AMHINTS: 1) General...b. In the Psywar field, the AMHINTs in PBRUMEN (Cuba) continue to produce 'Trinchera' on a hand-operated mimeograph machine in Havana and distribute about 10,000 copies monthly. They are also committed to the collection and transmission of reports and photographs on the Soviet buildup, at least until the DAMSON intelligence operations are begun. This activity is in direct support of the AMSPELL (the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil, or DRE - Cuban Student Directorate) policy cited in Paragraph A. 1) e above. The AMSPELL propaganda section is divided into four departments to carry out this program; PBRUMEN, Latin American, PBRUMEN exile community and PBPRIME (U.S.)..."

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Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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