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CIA-UAP-003, The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

Central Intelligence Agency · 1954 · 406 pages · text from the file's own layer

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.

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  • p. 369 …American Civil War I Amory, Robert 114 Anderson, Rudolph 210 Andaya, Norway 172 "Angel", 45, 50…
211
Sec,et NOfORN
Chapter 5
other means. Although by late 1962 photographic satellites had be
come an integral part of the overhead collection program, only U-2s
could provide the highly detailed photography that photointerpreters
needed to spot the early stages of work on missile sites. Attempts had
been made to photograph Cuba with satellites, but to no avail because
the satellites' normal orbits placed them over Cuba at the wrong time
of day, after clouds had formed.
U-2s Over South America
Agency U-2s again conducted operations in the Western Hemisphere
in December 1963. The Directorate of Plans had requested photo
graphic coverage of Venezuela and neighboring British Guianm be
cause of guerrilla acti vities conducted by a pro-Castro movement
inside Venezuela. Supplies for this movement appeared to be coming
across the border from British Guiana. On 30 November 1963, the
NSC Special Group approved overflights of the British Guiana
Venezuela border to determine the scope and rate of buildup of guer
rilla forces. The Special Group stipulated that the entire effort w:as to
be conducted without the knowledge of either the British or the
Venezuelans.
Within three days, several Detachment G aircraft and pilots de
ployed to Ramey AFB. Puerto Rico, from which they made: six
flights over the border areas between 3 and I 9 December 1963 in an
operation known as SEAFOAM. The results of the effort were in
conclusive, and the task force returned to Edwards AFB on 22
December. z,
U-2 OPERATIONS IN ASIA
Detachment C and the Indonesian Revolt of 1958
U-2 operations in Asia began even before the end of overflights of the
Soviet Bloc. By 1958 the Eisenhower administration, although very
reluctant to approve U-2 flights over or near Soviet and East
European borders, was not averse to using the spyplanes in the Third
World, where radar detection was unlikely. Thus. in the spring of
1958, Agency U-2s from Detachment C conducted a major reconnais
sance effort over Indonesia. Operation ROBIN HOOD.
'' OSA History. chap. 16. pp. 35-36 (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.