Documents / Official release
This is a Secret History Staff monograph by Gregory W. Pedlow and Donald E. Welzenbach of the Central Intelligence Agency, published in 1992. It gives a history of the CIA's manned overhead reconnaissance program from 1954 to 1974, covering the development and operation of the U-2 and the A-12 OXCART aircraft. It covers overflights of the Soviet Union, the 1960 downing of Francis Gary Powers, and later operations. One section is titled "U-2s, UFOs, and Operation BLUE BOOK."
From the source:Release of 2026-06-12 This CIA History Staff document chronicles the complete history of the U-2 and OXCART (A-12) high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft programs from 1954 to 1974, detailing their development, operations over the Soviet Union and other targets worldwide, the famous downing of Francis Gary Powers in 1960, organizational reforms following that incident, and the eventual transfer of operations from CIA to Air Force control. A more redacted version of this document has been available on CIA's public website.
“Mission Control”27 pages
186 Sec, et NO,-OPU~ Chapter 4 snubbed by President Kennedy, who one year earlier had warmly wel comed two Air Force RB-47 fliers released by the Soviet Union. McCone remained hostile to Powers. and in April 1963 he awarded the Intelligence Star to all of the U-2 pilots except Powers. Finally on 25 April 1965, just two days before McCone's resignation became ef fective, Powers received the Star (which was dated 1963 on the back) from DDCI Marshall S. Carter:6 Powers' return from captivity raised the question of what his fu ture employment should be. This issue had already been discussed one year earlier by John N. McMahon, executive officer of the DPD. who noted that he and Col. Leo P. Geary (the Air Force project offi cer) were concerned about a major dilemma for the CIA and the US Government: " On the one hand we have gone to considerable lengths to prove that the U-2 program was a civilian undertaking and not mil itary aggression; on the other hand there is on fi le a document that assures Francis Gary Powers that if he so desires he may be reinstated into the USAF.'' On 21 March 1961 McMahon wrote: If we grant him [Powers/ the right that is now his, namely rein statement in the Air Force, then we would be subjecting our selves to probable adverse propaganda by the USSR. Admitting little appreciation for the finer points of political and psycholog ical warfare, should Francis Gary Powers return to the USAF I suspect that the Soviets would have a "PP" field day illustrating our big lie. The question then. since we cannot permit Powers to return to the USAF. is what do we do with him." Despite this negative recommendation, the Air Force agreed on 4 April I 962 to reinstate Powers effective I July, a decision that was approved by the Agency, State Dep•artment, and White House. Then Powers· divorce proceedings began. and the Air Force, concerned about adverse publicity, postponed reinstatement until the end of the proceedings. In the meantime Pow1ers began working for Lockheed as a U-2 pilot. In March 1963, he met with Colonel Geary to discuss his future plans and decided to stay with Loc kheed."11 Powers re mained at Lockheed until U-2 testing ceased in September 1969. Earlier in the year, he had published an account of his experiences on "' OSA Hiswry, chap. 14. p. 54 (TS Codeword): Beschloss. Mayday. p. 397. " John N. McMahon to Chief. Cover Staff. DPD. 21 March I 961. Operation MUDLARK files. OSA records. job 74-B-605. box 6 (S). " OSA History. chap. 14, p. 52 (TS Codeword).
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Official release, from the pursue collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 406 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.