STATUS OF OVERHEAD PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A002600010006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 17, 1964
• Content Type: MF

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17 June 1964
SUBJECT: Status of Overhead
Photographic Reconnaissance
1. Attached for discussion with COMOR on Thursday,
18 June, is a draft moYthly status report which was originally
suggested as an aid to the Director of Central Intelligence by the
Deputy to the Director for National Intelligence Programs Evalika`kn.
The present version has been revised from a draft presented to
the DCI on 18 May and subsequently approved by him as to format
and content. At the same time he approved the concept of pre-
paring this once a month for the advice of the members of the
Board. Our plan is to prepare this for COMOR approval approxi-
mately the third Thursday of each month so that it may be for-
warded to USIB for its information on the last Wednesday. The
timing is planned so that members of USIB and the USIB consul-
tants may have this in their hands prior to the 303 Committee
meeting which concerns itself with approval of photographic
reconnaissance schedules.
2. The package attached lacks two or three writeups
but these are comparatively short and they will be available to you
on Thursday. It also lacks maps which in the loose-leaf form in
which this report was given to the Director, faced-the section on
targeting.
Ja es Q. Reber
Chairman
Attachment:
Subject paper
Copies 2, 3
4
55
6, 7, 8,10
11, 12
13,14,15,16
17, 18
19, 20
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Status of Overhead Photographic Reconnaissance
For the information of the Chairman, USIB, pages 6
through 24 are status reports on manned and satellite reconnaissance
activities, broken down according to area or country as follows:
Pages 6.to 7
Pages 8 to 9
Pages l0.to11
Pages 12:to16
Pages 17:to 18
Pages 19 to"27.
Cuba
Middle East
Sino-Indian Border
China
North Korea
Southeast Asia
Pages 22:to 24 USSR and European Satellites
Not, included World Geodetic Datum
2. Each section contains the following:
a. A brief summary of the Board's action
in establishing requirements for overhead photographic
reconnaissance, either manned or satellite.
b. 303 Committee approvals and comments.
c. COMOR actions taken in pursuance of
outstanding instructions or as the result of recent
activity.
d. A summary of targets in the area,
showing priority and distribution. A map is included
where appropriate.
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e. A report on activity stating date of most
recent coverage, extent to which requirements are being
met, and comments on factors militating against meeting
requirements.
3. In the case of manned reconnaissance COMOR establisles
priority targets for operational planning and designates secondary targets
which are to be covered insofar as it is feasible without detriment to the
priority targets.
4. Satellite Reconnaissance targeting priorities are set up
as follows-
Extraordinary - Camera turned
on each time over target during
mission regardless of weather
or altitude ;of;;pass. Minimum
sun angle to be specified when
targets are selected.
Priority 1 - Camera turned on
over target at least once per
mission even if weather or
altitude are unfavorable.
Priority 2 - Point targets in
Sino-Soviet Bloc and holidays*
prior to J'anuary.1963".in. the ''USER.
Priority 3- Point targets in
North Korea and prior to
Jan 1963 in China, North Korea
and European Satellites.
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In addition, for the KH-4 and in the following order of priority,
additional areas are programmed but to be used on a film
available,, basis after Priority 3 above.
a. Middle East
c. Sino-Indian Border
d. Congo
e. Indonesia
f. Cuba
,'Holidays are gaps in useable photographic coverage. Areas of
the USSR are designated holidays when the available photography
fails to meet one of the following criteria: (a) less than 50 per
cent cloud-cover, June 1962 to the present, or (b) less than
50 per cent cloud-cover, January 1963 to the present. The
criteria for China are that the areas must be essentially cloud
free and adequately illuminated, and only photography acquired
since 1 July 1963 is considered.
5. As a routine matter, as soon as any mission is completed,
whether manned or satellite, COMOR reviews ?b targeting as it may have
been affected by the mission in question and includes for consideration any
pertinent collateral information. In summary, this process calls for-
a. Deletion of targets not requiring
coverage either because the requirement has been
fully satisfied or its existence has been negated.
b. Reduction in priority of targets that
do not need immediate recoverage but cannot be
dropped.
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c. Addition of new targets.
d. Increase, when necessary, in
priority of existing targets.
In addition to study of the information derived from a specific
mission and all collateral intelligence, careful consideration is
given to the collection capabilities of collateral sources vis-a-
vis overhead photographic reconnaissance. Furthermore, and
particularly with regard to satellite reconnaissance, any new
facts revealed about the collection capability of a system results
in a world-wide review of all overhead photographic reconnaissance
targets to ensure that optimum use of a specific capability is made
in covering various types of targets.
6. As a regular matter COMOR will, after receiving
the preliminary report of -each mission, assess the results in the
context of how adequately requirements are being met and will
report to USIB. This report will include specific recommendations
on future scheduling.
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Board Action
1. On 2 April 1964a the Board approved:
a. Coverage of the Guantanamo area
once every two weeks.
b. Coverage of about 90 per cent of
the territory of Cuba with interpretable photography
once every four weeks, the area not covered to be
assessed and, if necessary, given priority the
following four weeks.
c. Coverage of all highest priority
targets with interpretable photography at least once
every four weeks with coverage of about 50 per cent
of the objectives in each category once every two
weeks.
d. Special coverage of areas or objectives
as determined by COMOR or higher authority.
e. In responding to these reconnaissance
requirements, at least two flights per week will be
conducted to ensure the collection of information
through stimulation of air defense reaction.
f. COMOR to report monthly to the Board
on the adequacy of coverage.
2. Subsequently on 13 April 1964b the Board approved use
of 112A to cover areas most pertinent to reports on unidentified missile
activity.
3. On 13 May 1964 the Board discussed further the question
of the number of flights needed to accomplish the necessary coverage and
directed COMOR to report to the Board every two weeks beginning
TUSIB-D-41 147122 (COMDR-D-24 27)
bUSIB-D-41.14/127 (COMOR-D-24/130)
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COMOR-D-72
CUBA Cont'_
20 Maya This report will advise the Board as to how SAC is
fulfilling existing USIB requirements for high-altitude coverage
of Cuba and what further guidance, if any, USIB should provide.
4. On 18 May 1964 vote slip approval of the COMOR
proposal to use Mode II in GOLDEN TREE operationsb was made
final.
COMOR Action
6. Maint:aizis;; daily account of targets covered and changes
targets daily to meet new situations. Also reports at specified periods
to the Board on status of coverage and recommends missions to meet
special problems and low-level photography if the situation demands.
Targeting
7. There are targets in Cuba, F-lof which are carried
as highest priority, broken down as follows:
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Report on Activity
8. During the first two weeks of June five GOLDEN TREE
missions were flown and the USIB requirements were satisfactorily
fulfilled. For the month precedin 14 June the cumulative coverage
amounted to 88 per cent and all of the highest priority targets were
covered at least once.
9. A preliminary review of the information obtained from
the two 112A missions flown early in May and a reassessment of the
intelligence needs resulted in a COMOR recommendation to recommend
against further use of the 112A for the present.
aUSIB-D-41 14/143 COMOR-D-24/141
bUSIB-D-41.14/130 (COMDR-D-24/l31; 7 25X1A
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1. In March 1964a COMOR pointed out that, based upon
the nature of the problems in the Middle East and upon the country-
by-country review of the intelligence targets, it did not believe that
there is a need for a long-range program calling for periodic
coverage of the Middle East objectives by U-2 quality photography
303 Comm'itt-ee Action
3. None required.
COMOR Action
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Targeting
5. COMOR lists 76 U-2 targets in this area of which eight
c. Watches for critical situations requiring
manned overflight reconnaissance.
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are missile sites,
30 are airfields.
b. Reviews targets after each mission.
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29 are military installations, and
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SINO-INDIAN BORDER
1. On 6 January 1964a the Board approved the COMOR
statement of the long-range requirements for the Sino-Indian border
fdr'::'guidance of Operations as well as for COMOR in the preparation
of its targeting for specific operations in that area. Specifically,
the Board approved quarterly coverage of the Sino-Indian border with
the missions to be flown to coincide with the most favorable periods
for launch of offensive operations.
2. On 26 February 1964b the Board considered a
re-evaluation of needed U-2 coverage of the Far East which specified
that certain areas should be covered as soon as possible. The Sino-
Indian border was in that list. The Board directed that COMOR
should review Sino-Indian border targets, showing recommended
priority of coverage. This was done and published on 12 March 1964.c'
Targeting
5. The Sino-Indian border area includes 41 targets over a
1, 500-mile area from the NEFA to the southwest corner of Sinkiang
Province. These include eight airfields and 28 other military
installations. Two of the airfields are targeted for KH-4 photography.
aUSIB-D-41 14/93 (COMDR-D-25/66), 6 January 1964
bUSIB-D-41.14/108 (COMOR-D-25/77), 26 February 1964
cUSIB-D-41. 14/115 (COMOR-D-25/83), 12 March 1964
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Report on Activity
] COMOR-D-72
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1. On 6 January 1964'& the Board approved coverage
with U-2 photography to keep abreast of the introduction of high-
performanceoai.roratt and of Air Force and Naval Order; of Battle,
COMOR Action
b. Updates target file on the basis of
immediate readout of I nd satellite reconnaissance
missions, collateral reports, and when special situations
arise I
Targeting
other military installations,
targets includes 13 airfields and six
Report on Activity
5, There has been no U-2 mission over North Korea since
October 1963. There were a total of five U-2 missions over North Korea
during 1963.
USIB-D-41.14/93 (COMOR-D-25/66), 6 January 1964
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1. The long-range programa of December 1963, dealt only
with Laos, not South Vietnam and Cambodia. Coverage every two
months to monitor road and rail nets, construction projects, supply
depots, and major airfields was approved by the Board.b
2. On 24 February 1964c the Board approved.:
a. Comprehensive coverage of South Vietnam
in connection with the strategic hamlet program.
b. The preparation of a study (including
ark, engineering analysis of the capability of the
pertinent. roads) from available photography of the
road nets of concern, any important gaps to be
identified for coverage in the near future.
C. As;near as possible daily coverage of
roads and logistic routes from North Vietnam to
South. Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia, the results
to be the ',subject of continuing analysis by MACV and
the Washington intelligence community to determine
whether the data acquired are of sufficient value to
warrant continuation or modification of the program.
d. Pre- and post-strike reconnaissance of
34A targets.
3. On 15 April,d to meet the crisis in Southeast Asia,
the Board approved COMOR proposals as given belowe but added
that a review should be made in the near future.
bUSIB-D-4114791 (COMDR-I)-25T65), 30 December 1963
~~USIB-D-41. 14/93(COMOR-D-25/66), 6 January 1964
cUSIB-D-41. 14/107 (COMOR-D-25/75), 24 February 1964
dUSIB-D-41. 14/ 128 (COMOR-D-25/88), 15 April 1964
eUSIB-D-41. 14/125 (COMOR-D-25/86), 10 April 1964
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SOUTHEAST ASIA (Contd)
a. The photographic hamlet program
coverage is now 75 per cent completed and should
be finished.
b. That coverage of 34A targets appears
to be well along in terms of establishing base line
coverage and there would remain only MACV asking
for pre- or post-strike coverage as appropriate.
c. Critical roads in southun Laos (12,
12A, 12B, 8, 9, 23) should be covered daily as
near as possible until an assessment.
d. That IDEALIST should fly no further
missions at this time over North Vietnam and Laos
unless CIA receives an appropriate request.
5. On 20 Mayb the Board approved the conclusions
contained in COMOR's comments on an analysis made of truck
traffic patterns in North Vietnam and the Communist-held portions
of Laos. C Taking into account weather and other operational
factors which were discussed at the Board, the recommendations
would call for near daily U-2 photography of routes 7, 12, 12A,
12/AB, 12B, 9, and 23.
6. 20 LUCKEY DRAGON missions were approved for the
period 1 - 30 June with the statement that these are tentative numbers
depending on weather and satisfaction of stated. requirements. As
noted in para 5 above, this could conceivably be, closer to 30 than 20.
aUSIB4i.D-4'..14/136 (COMDR-D-25/91), 1 May 1964
USIB-D-41.14/148 (COMOR-D-25/99), 20 May 1964
CUSIB-D=41.14/147 (COMOR.-D-25/98), 19 May 1964
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COMOR Action/
7. a. Maintains a list of targets for moni-
toring purposes.
b. Transmits to SAC through DIA targets
for specific coverage as they are notified to COMOR.
Targeting
8. The targets in Cambodia, Laos, and North and South
Vietnam are selected largely by MACV and CINCPAC for acquisition of
tactical intelligence. The breakdown of targets in Southeast Asia are
as follows:
Airfields 137
Military Installations 256
Road Surveillance 90
Border Surveillance 37
Other 50
Total 570
Report on Activity
9. Between 18 May and 14 June approximately 122
and 17 LIJC DRAQGq missions were flown to collect tactical
intelligence on this area. Aircraft supporting this operation were
shot down on 6 and 7 June.
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Board Action
1. On 8 Maya the Board directed the firin of two Js
per month with a backup of six spares at all times.
At this time the
Board also emphasized the need for priority coverage of China. A
plan to achieve the China coverage was worked out between COMOR
and NRO.b The need for the accelerated schedule was again emphasized
at the Board on 21 Mayc when the importance of satellite recon-
naissance to the timely production of National Intelligence Estimates
was emphasized.
COMOR Action
Targeting
4. The KH-4 satellites designed for large area coverage
are programmed for targets, are targeted
for the USSR and European sate ites. In addition to installations
and search area targets, the KH-4 is programmed to insure periodic
coverage of all areas in the USSR and satellite countries.
IT S?D-41 15/34 (COMOR-D-48/68),4 May 1964
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bUSIB-D-41. 14/ 144 (COMOR-D-48 /71), 14 May 1964
cUSIB-D-41. 15/36 (COMOR-D-48/72), 21 May 1964
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