PROGRAMS FOR CONTINUING SURVEILLANCE OF CUBAN PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00990R000100070060-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2002
• Sequence Number: 60
• Publication Date: January 18, 1963
• Content Type: MF

Approved Fooelease 2002/08/14: CIA-RDP81 T00S2000100070060-0
PID 13/63
18 Jan 1963
MEM( ANDUM TO: Director, NPXC
FROM: Chief., CIA/PID(IPIC)
SUBJECT: Programs for Continuing Surveillance of Cuban
Photography
1. Since early 1960 this division has done considerable work on
Cuban photography in the form of immediate reporting, coverage indexes,
detailed studies in support of and other components of the 25X1
Agency, reports evaluations, and compilation of reference files. This
work has been performed at various field sites as well as at Headquarters.
As a result of this v rk this division is able to bring considerable ex-
perience and background knowledge to bear on current problems. The key
to a continuing program of surveillance is continuity and every effort
is made to maintain this continuity in project and personnel assignments
to project work.
2. A group of sixteen interpreters bas been assigned to work on
all Brass Knob immediate readouts. Twelve of these sixteen interpreters
have been working on these missions at least since September 1962.
3. The coordinator for all Brass Knob missions has been furnished
by this division and it is highly recommended that this procedure continue
for the sake of continuity and the area background knowledge that they
have accrued over a two-and-one-half year period.
4. The Cleo-Military Branch has been charged with the responsibil-
ity for maintaining area knowledge of Cuba and performing all photo
studies of Cuba except in certain specialized areas as missiles, elec-
tronics, industry, transportation and nuclear energy. They maintain
an Order of Battle file and will shortly have in operation a wall-
mounted map for support of immediate readouts and division reference.
25X1
5. In support of ORR, area studies are prepared which consist of
an updating of the AA'6 map series E723 showing significant cultural,
vegetation or military activity or changes. Photographic enlargements of
Approved For Release 2002] 11: CIA-F
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PID 13/63
Page Two
major cities within these geographic areas are forwarded to C HR for the
preparation of city Plans.
6. The Geo-Military branch also carries on a continuing reports'
evaluation program. Published or unpublished information or reports
are forwarded to GMB on a daily basis for evaluation from a photo
analysis viewpoint. This support is provided on a daily 25X1
basis and frequently also to ORR, OCI and others. A formal publication
Is prepared titled "Photographic Evaluation of Information on Cuba".
To date, seven such reports have been issued and work is proceeding on
the eighth.
7. Incoming Navy messages and photography pertaining to merchant
ships entering or leaving Cuban waters are received and scanned daily,
and items of significance are brought to the attention of the Director,
NPIC.
8. The Missiles-Electronics Branch of this division has taken sev-
eral steps in order to assure that no new missile buildup is taking place
in Cuba. All previously identified surface-to-surface missile sites are
being studied on each current Brass Knob mission and compared with pre-
vious coverage for evidence of changes. All surface-to-air, cruise
missiles sites, and support facilities are being studied to determine
the degree of activity, operational status, and identification of new
equipment. All major ports are being studied to determine degree of
activity and to search for missile or missile-related equipment that may
be stored, loaded, or unloaded at such ports. Military camps and vehicle
parks are being studied for missile activity, especially FROG-type
missiles. Al). suspect activity reported in the immediate reports is
checked for missile-related activity.
9. The Industrial Branch and. Atomic, Biological, Chemical Branch
work primarily on detailed studies levied by various Agency components.
However, as each branch provides personnel for the Brass Knob IPIR teams,
they are kept current on items in their respective fields by these
personnel.
25X1
Dist.
O&1 - addressee
1 - PID Chrono
25X1 CIA/PID:
Approved For Release 2002108114''~4I~ '1!fiO099?IR000100070060-0