This document was transcribed with the assistance of Nick Miller. An index of military and diplomatic abbreviations referenced in this document can be accessed here.
240430Z NOV 78
TO JSC WASHINGTON DC//J3//
FM RULPALJ/USCINSCO QUARRY HEIGHTS CZ
[Remainder of recipients appear on pdf.]
SUBJ: JCS SITREP 004/2404302NOV 78 (U)
- Situation
Page 3. REUKJCS 2584
A. To date, the government of Guyana now holds the 78 survivors of the Jonestown incident. It is expected that the first group (approx. 24 individuals) will be released to US officials on 28 November and will compromise those considered quote non-problem unquote and some very elderly. The remaining survivors continue to be under investigations
B. The situation in Jonestown remains calm with evacuation of the bodies progressing. No further attempts are being made to identify bodies in Guyana. JTF commander estimates all 465 bodies will be evacuated by 24 Nov 78.
C. Inspection of Jonestown revealed that facilities had only 650 single beds, thus earlier estimates of 1000 or more residents are probably exaggerated
| A: | Arrived Dover AFB | Bodies | ||
| C-141 | 2111050Z Nov 78 | 40 [number slightly illegible] | ||
| C-141 | 240 [illegible number] 00Z Nov 78 | 81 | ||
| (Rev. Jim Jones) | ||||
| B: | Departed Georgetown | ETA Dover | Bodies | |
| C-141 | 232223Z [time slightly illegible] | 240445Z | 81 |
Page 4 RUEKJCS 2504
| C-141 | [illegible time] Nov 78 | [illegible time] | [illegible number of bodies] |
C. As of 2314600Z Nov 78 a total of 279 US military personnel are in Guyana, Approx 75 are in the forward area,
D. JCS 231405Z Nov 78 amended JCS 215221Z Nov 78 (execute order) stating that US military aircraft would be used to evacuate Jonestown survivors from Georgetown to Charleston AFB, South Carolina. REPS from HEW and FBI will assume responsibility for processing survivors at CONUS destination, after preliminary processing is completed. All survivors will be immediately removed from USAF property.
E. Justice department US marshals service special operations group personnel will be employed to provide additional security on flights returning survivors:
F. Airlift deployment summary as of (240430Z)
| To Guyana | From Guyana |
| C-141 | C-130 | C-141 | C-130 | |
| Scheduled | 19 | 6 | 6 |
| To Guyana | From Guyana |
| C-141 | C-130 | C-141 | C-130 | |
| Completed | 19 | 6 | 2 |
Page 5 RUEKJCS 2584
| Remaining | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Enroute | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| G. Status of Remains: | (48 of 248430Z) [time slightly illegible] | ||
| Guyana | 138 | ||
| Dover AFB | 181 | ||
| Enroute | 140 | ||
| Total | 483 [numbers mostly illegible] |
3. General Information: Department of State will make the announcement concerning the return of survivors via US military aircraft. Military spokesman will not acknowledge until after the State announcement. All queries following State announcement will be referred to Department of States, GDS 84