James Q. Reber

Who was James Q. Reber?

James Q. Reber was the second Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

Reber earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in International Relations at the University of Chicago in 1939. In 1943, he began his government career with State Department, as a foreign affairs and economic specialist. He later joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1950, and did various planning and coordination activities until 1957.

In 1955, Reber became the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Requirements Committee, thereby assuming a major leadership role in the national reconnaissance community. The ARC developed prioritized lists of intelligence requirements and U-2 targets during overflights of the Soviet Union. When the committee was taken over by the United States Intelligence Board in 1960 and renamed the Committee on Overhead Reconnaissance, he continued as chairman. Activities of the COMOR eventually morphed into prioritzing targets for early imaging satellite missions.

Reber served as DDNRO from 1 September 1965 to 30 June 1969. He was instrumental in fostering an effective working relationship between the CIA and Department of Defense in the early days of the NRO and the National Reconnaissance Program. After his time at the NRO, Dr. Reber became the Chairman of the USIB's Signals Intelligence Committee, retiring from government service in July 1972.