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

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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Chapter 2
are shown on current unclassified maps as a small rectangular area
adjoini ng the northeast comer of the much larger Nevada Test Site. To
make the new facility in the middle of nowhere sound more attractive
to his workers. Kelly Johnson called it the Paradise Ranch, which was
soon shortened to the Ranch. !•
Although the dry lakebed could have served as a landing strip.
project managers decided that a paved runway was needed so that
testing could also take place during the times when rainwater runoff
from nearby mountains filled the lake (at such times the base acquired
yet another unofficial name, Watertown Strip). By July 1955 the base
was ready, and Agency, Air Force, and Lockheed personnel began
moving in.
Area 51, the Ranch
'' OSA History, chap. 8. pp. 2-6 (TS Co,kword): John:;on, "Log for Project x:· ::?5-29
April I955: Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnso n with Maggi<! Smith. Kelly: More Thun My
Share of Ir All (Washington. DC: Smithsonian Institute Press. 1985). p. 123.
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