EVALUATION OF SOVIET PRESENCE AT SANTIAGO DE LAS VEGAS, CUBA - - 1962 TO 1979 (U)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00401R000200060019-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 19, 2005
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: September 10, 1979
• Content Type: MF

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10 Septe--.er 1979
Pace 1 o` 5
Central Intelligence Agency
National Foreign Assessment Center
Office of Imagery Analyris
MEMORANDUM FOR: N+I0, USSR-Eastern Europe
Copy 3
SUBJECT Evaluation of Soviet Presence at Santiago de
las Vegas, Cuba--1962 to 1979 (U)
A review of ^crncd aircraft and satellite photography of Santiago
de las Vegas Camp 2 and Lourdes Military Headquarters-snows that in all
likelihood elements of the same Soviet ground forces combat unit have
been located there since at least November 1962 and August 1964 respec-
tively. The association of the elements at these two facilities is
based on a series of parallel events noted since 1964. (S)
Elements of the Soviet unit at Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2, in
November 1962, appeared to be equipped with tanks, assault guns, FROG
tactical missiles, antiaircraft weapons and other unidentified support
equipment. Based on our present knowledge of Soviet ground force unit
structure, this equipment probably comprised a tank battalion, at least
one FROG batca.ior., and an air-defense battery. Analysis of photography
between 1962 and 1979 shows a steady expansion of administrative and
support facilities. Coincident with these changes were the receipt of
new equipment -,n? mcdific?tion to the organizational structure of some
elements.
The elements of the unit at Lourdes in 1964 appeared to be equipped
with BTR-60 armored personnel carriers (APCs), tank/assault guns, 120-em
mortars with prime movers, and support equipment. Changes to facilities,
equipment and unit organization similar to those seen at Santiago de las
Vegas Camp 2 were also noted at Lourdes between 1964 and 1979.
Santiago de las Vegas
In 1962, tl e E:Lr,cr.t:, of the Soviet unit at Santiago de as Vegas
Camp 2 were garrisoned in tents, and the equipment was parked in among
the trees. There were very few permanent facilities present. Between
1964 and 1970 most cf the barracks and approximately 75 percent of the
total vehicle stcragee capacity were constructed. Between 1972 and 1979,
a few additicnal barracks, and the t'emaining vehicle storage buildings
were completed.
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SUBJECT: Evaluation of Soviet Presence at Santiago de las Ve;as,
Cuba--1962 to 1979 (U)
The structure of some of the elements of the unit have been changed
and equipment has been upgraded over the years. The FROG tactical
missiles present from 1962 through 1971 were probably replaced by at
least one battery of BM 14-17 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) in 1971.
The BM 14-17s were apparently replaced, probably during 1978, by a
battalion of more modern BM-21 MRLs. The towed antiaircraft artillery
(AAA) pieces have been replaced by ZSU-23/4 self-propelled antiaircraft
artillery (SPAR) guns. The APCs in the motorized rifle battalions which
are part of the brigade today were upgraded from the older BTR-60 to
BTR-60PBs in 1978-1979. And finally, the older antitank guided missiles
(ATGMs) have been replaced by the more modern BRDM-2'SAGGER.
Major training facilities were already present by the mid-1960s.
They included, two types of Soviet obstacle courses, small arms and tank
subcaliber ranges, an artillery terrain model, wheeled and tracked
driver training areas, and personnel exercise areas. These facilities
remain basically unchanged up until the present time.
Lourdes
The initial introduction of combat equipment to the vehicle storage
area at Lourdes occurred by August 1964. This equipment consisted of
BTR-60 APCs, tank/assault guns, 120-mm mortar with prime movers, AAA
pieces and 50 to 75 other wheeled support vehicles. Infantry training
facilities consisting of trenches, foxholes, and AAA revetments, and a
Soviet-style obstacle course, were constructed by the fall of 1966.
Several small support buildings were also present near the storage area.
0
Changes observed in the support facilities during the 1960s and
early 1970s included the razing of the small buildings, construction of
vehicle sheds, abandonment of the obstacle course constructed in 1966
and the construction of a new obstacle course within the Lourdes Sigint
Complex proper in )958.
Additional and more modern equipment was observed in the Lourdes
vehicle storage area after 1977. BTR-60PB APCs replaced the older BTR-
60 APCs, ZSU-23/4 SPAA guns replaced older towed AAA pieces and TMM
scissor bridges, D-30 122-mm howitzers, and possibly BRDM-2 ATGMs were
newly identified. The TMM scissor bridges may be replacements for the
KMM treadwa bridges that were last observed at Santiaqo de las Vegas in
1971.
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SUBJECT: Evaluation of Soviet Presence at Santiago de las Vegas,
Cuba--1962 to 1979 (U)
Chronology
A detailed chronology of the activity observed at Santiago de las
Vegas and Lourdes during the period of this review follows:
1962. We have substantiated a 1963 photo interpretation
report of a Soviet presence at Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2.
(NPIC. Soviet Military Personnel in Cuba, NPIC/R-1129/63, March
1963, SECRET.). Indicators of the Soviet presence are: Frog
support equipment, camouflage netting, Soviet-type tents, and a
section of a Soviet-style obstacle course. Few buildings are
present, and most of the vehicles and tents are well hidden under
trees (see 11 December 1962 illustration). 0
1963. We observed no apparent change at Santiago de las Vegas
Camp Wiring 1963. The tents and equipment were located in their
previously identified areas. At Lourdes, Soviet-style tents were
observed within the Sigint facility and adjacent to the vehicle
storage area. No combat equipment was observed in the facility
(see 8 June 1963 illustration).
1964. At Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2 during 1964, the number
of buildings increased with the completion of a barracks area on
the southwestern edge of the installation. In addition, the road
network was being improved and some thinning of the trees in
preparation for permanent facility construction had begun. The
recreational facilities were also being improved. Tents were still
observed throughout the trees and over 100 vehicles were observed
(see 2 April 1964 illustration). At Lourdes, combat equipment was
present by August.
1965. During 1965, the tree-clearing at Santiago de las Vegas
Camp 2 continued. Some of the Frog equipment was moved out of the
installation. Very little other change was seen. At Lourdes
additional combat and combat support equipment were present and a
unit structure was becoming apparent. It appears that this struc-
ture is a combined arms battalion with subordinate units consisting
of one or two BTR-60 companies, a tank/assault gun platoon, a
mortar battery, an air defense battery, and a, h uarters/services
element (see 27 January 1965 illustration). u
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SUBJECT: Evaluation of Soviet Presence at Santiago de !as Vegas,
Cuba--1962 to 1979
1966. Tree-clearing operations at Santiago de las Vegas Camp
2 during 1966 are extensive. Four unit areas can now be identified--
tank, Frog, combined arms, and service support. KMM treadway
bridges and BTR-60 APCs were seen for the first time. A tank
subcaliber range was also present (see 14 July 1966 illustration).
At Lourdes, a Soviet-style obstacle course had been constructed
near the equipment storage area.
1967. At Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2 vehicle storage sheds
were started between July and September. The reyetted ammo storage
area was started and completed during the year, however, it was not
occupied (see 25 October 1967 illustration). At Lourdes, vehicle
storage sheds were in the initial stages of construction and a
second AAA battery has been confirmed.
1968. During 1968 the barracks and training areas at Santiago
de las Vegas Camp 2 were expanded. By January, new Type A and B
Soviet-style obstacle course and a small arms range were completed
(see 19 January 1968 illustration). In July a small tent camp was
present and construction of some barracks had begun (see 23 July
1968 illustration). By November, the barracks area was complete
and the tents were gone. The AAA sites had moved to a new location
within the barracks, and the ammo trucks were moved into the re-
vetted parking (see 18 November 1968 illustration). At Lourdes, a
new Type A Soviet-style obstacle course was constructed within the
Sigint complex and the old obstacle course was abandoned.
1969-1971. Very little construction activity took place
during this time frame. At Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2 a barracks
area on the southwestern edge of the installation was expanded in
1970 (see 12 November 1970 illustration). Two vehicle sheds, in
the area which now houses elements of a motorized rifle battalion,
were constructed'in 1971. At Lourdes, no apparent change was seen.
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1972. In 1972, an increase in combat support equipment was
seen at Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2. (This equipment was seen in
a parade within the installation in December.). A battery of BM
14-17 iRLs was observed, and ATGMs were identified for the first
time since they were reported here in 1962. The equipment seen in
the parade appears to have a basic unit structure similar to that
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SUBJECT: Evaluation of Soviet Presence at Santiago de leas Vec_s,
Cuba--1962 to 1979 (U)
which was observed during the 1960s, and to the structure which is
present in 1979. The KMM treadway bridges and the FROG eq:iipment
were not observed (see 29 December,1972 illustration). At Lourdes,
no apparent, change was noted.
1973-1976. During 1973 through 1976 there is very little
change to the facilities at Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2. Between
February 1975 and March 1976, an obstacle course was moved to make
room for a new parade field, and some of the gymnastics/exercise
areas were refurbished. In addition, no major changes were observed
within the equipment storage area at Lourdes although a major
expansion of the Sigint complex occurred.
1977-1979. During 1977, the vehicle storage capacity at
Santiago de las Vegas Camp 2 expanded by about 25 Percent (see 29
July 1977 and 29 January 1978 illustrations). New equipment
observed here includes, BTR-60PB APCs, BM-21 MRLs, SAGGER ATGMs,
and ZSU-23/4 SPAA guns. Also at Lourdes, new equipment was ob-
served which included BTR-60PB APCs, D-30 122-mm howitzers, and TMM
scissor bridges.
This report has been jointly prepared by analysts of OIA and NPIC.
is based on an extensive sampling of the available photography. (U)
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Chief, Land Forces Division
Office of Imagery Analysis
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