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.
“Nevers”34 pages
230
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Chapter 5
Detachment H resumed overflights of mainland China in
December 1962, but its missions now concentrated on the southern
portion where there were fewer radars and SAM sites. During
December l 962 and January 1963., the detachment conducted two
successful overflights of Sichuan, but a mission over south China had
to be aborted prematurely. The results of Detachment H's continuing
coverage of the People's Republic of China remained of considerable
interest to the United States. On 17 December 1962, the Special
Group approved plans for fiscal year 1963/64 that included require
ments for photo coverage of mainland China and for maintaining at
least two operational U-2 aircraft in Detachment H.....
Use of Detachment H Aircraft by US Pilots
Detachment H's importance did not lie solely in the missions carried
out by its Nationalist Chinese pilots against targets in mainland
China; the detachment also provided! aircraft for use by American pi
lots flying missions in other parts of Asia. Indochina was an area of
particular interest as American involvement there began growing dur
ing the early 1960s. Beginning in February 1962, Detachment G pi
lots went to Tao-yuan to use the unmarked Project TACKLE U-2 for
overflights of North Vietnam. During the first half of 1962,
Detachment G pilots made seven overflights of North Vietnam from
the Tao Yuan base. Thereafter, Detachment G pilots could use their
own aircraft because the unit began staging teams and aircraft from
Edwards AFB to Ta Khli AFB in Thailand.
Between 1962 and 1964, Agency U-2s staged a total of 36 pho
tographic missions over North and South Vietnam. By April 1964,
however, photographic requirements were changing from strategic re
connaissance to tactical support as the Viet Cong became more active,
taking advantage of the weakness of the South Vietnamese central
government following the coup tha1t overthrew President Ngo Dinh
Diem in 1963 and subsequent coups by disgruntled army officers.
During this period the South Vietnamese "strategic hamlet" concept
began breaking down, and the Viet Cong forces stepped up the pace
of their attacks. As a result of the: increasing level of combat in
Indochina, the USIB gave responsibility for aerial reconnaissance of
the areas where fighting was taking; place to the SAC. Henceforth,
SAC U-2s would be used over South Vietnam. parts of Cambodia
.. OSA History. chap. 17. pp. 48-49 (TS Codeword); Mission folders GRC 134 (25
December 1962). GRC136 (28 December 1962). and GRC138 {20 January 1963). OSA
records. job 67-B-972. bo;,c 21. and job 66-8 -664, bo;,c I (TS Codeword).
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Official release, from the pursue collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is under it. 406 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.