- Jul 12, 2018
- 9,817
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE |
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE |
TO: Jason Green, Secretary of State for Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ( Jamie )
[/TD][/TR][/TD][/TR]FROM: John Glass, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America
Secretary Green,
Very Respectfully,
John Glass
Secretary of Defense
Secretary Green,
I am contacting you with permission, and at the direction of, the White House. The Department of Defense feels that we need minimal assurances that we could operate and transport military assets in the Southern Atlantic. Therefore, I would like to establish a formal Memorandum of Understanding that would allow the United States to land aircraft at Ascension Island for refueling/replenishment purposes. Such operations would only require minimal notice to your government, or the Ministry of Defense specifically. In the MoU, we would of course agree to not launch any offensive air-related military operations from Ascension Island without permission from Her Majesty's Government.
If this sounds acceptable, I have a secondary offer that I would like to propose. The Department of Defense and the Navy is prepared to build a naval station on Ascension Island for use by the United Kingdom, United States, and other TASA members. The primary purpose of this facility would be for replenishment or, if necessary, repairs. At this time, the Federal Government would be willing to fund 75% of the construction costs of this facility, provided that it could be included under the aforementioned MoU.
If Her Majesty's government agrees to this, it would allow the United States armed forces a safe and reliable route to the South Atlantic and South Africa. It would also allow the Royal Navy, and the navies of TASA members, to have a safe place to replenish in the South Atlantic.
I hope to hear back from you as soon as possible.
If this sounds acceptable, I have a secondary offer that I would like to propose. The Department of Defense and the Navy is prepared to build a naval station on Ascension Island for use by the United Kingdom, United States, and other TASA members. The primary purpose of this facility would be for replenishment or, if necessary, repairs. At this time, the Federal Government would be willing to fund 75% of the construction costs of this facility, provided that it could be included under the aforementioned MoU.
If Her Majesty's government agrees to this, it would allow the United States armed forces a safe and reliable route to the South Atlantic and South Africa. It would also allow the Royal Navy, and the navies of TASA members, to have a safe place to replenish in the South Atlantic.
I hope to hear back from you as soon as possible.
Very Respectfully,
John Glass
Secretary of Defense