OVERHEAD PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE OF CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00285R000200230007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 7
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2007/07/25: CIA-RDP82T00285R000200230007-1
17 February 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Committee on Imagery Requirements
and Exploitation
SUBJECT Overhead Photographic Reconnaissance
of Cuba
REFERENCE COMIREX-D-24.3/4B. 5 February 1976
(via LDX)
Forwarded herewith is a copy of subject statement of requirements
as finally coordinated by COMIREX members for their USIB principals.
The attachment was forwarded to the NIO for Latin America this date.
Committee on Imagery Requirements and Exploitation
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JCS review(s) completed.
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COMMITTEE ON IMAGERY REQUIREMENTS AND EXPLOITATION
13 February 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: The National Intelligence Officer,
Latin America
SUBJECT : Overhead Photographic Reconnaissance of Cuba
REFERENCES : a. Memorandum for Holders-2, USIB-D-46.4/55
(COMIREX-D-24.3/3), 27 August 1974 (Revised)
b. Memorandum for Holders-3, USIB-D-46.4/55
(COMIREX-D-24.3/3), 20 May 1975
A/
1. In response to your request for an updated assessment of
community needs for overhead photographic reconnaissance of Cuba,
the.COMIREX has reviewed the currently applicable USIB standing
guidance on this subject (reference a.). As the result of our review,
and subsequent canvas of USIB principals, the intelligence requirements
as stated in that document are reaffirmed.
2. It continues to be the COMIREX judgement that imagery
satellite sources are capable of satisfying the communit 's routine
area, and target coverage needs.
there remains a continuing need to maintain
an aircraft overhead photographic reconnaissance capability against the
island to provide time sensitive intelligence.
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4. The existing provisions should be continued, therefore, to
maintain a standby capability to overfly Cuba against specific objectives
in the event that time-critical needs develop. Because the special situations
which have required time-sensitive collection in the past have been infrequen
and have developed with some advance awareness by the intelligence commun
it is judged that a 96-hour standby capability -- to be brought to a higher
degree of readiness when a specific situation warrants -- is adequate, to
meet foreseeable needs. _
5. The present Cuba overflight program by SR-71 aircraft (GIANT
PLATE) is responsive to the political requirement to maintain a.continuing
U.S. presence over the island, and also serves to maintain the capability for
the special needs noted in paragraph 4 above.
a. Assessment of the policy aspect of maintaining
a U.S. presence from the political standpoint is not directly
keyed to intelligence requirements. We understand that the
political aspect is being addressed separately by appropriate
Department of State elements.
b. From the standpoint of intelligence requirements,
maintenance of some continuing overflight of Cuba is necessary
to minimize the impact of special, time-critical collection when
that is necessary. Maintenance of periodic overflights reduces
significance of the special flights. Moreover, the routine over-
flights which are undertaken for the purpose of maintaining a
U.S. presence also serve as a source of intelligence collection
on various aspects of the Cuban air defense environment which
serves to update and maintain intelligence on the Cuban air
defense system on a relatively current basis.
6. SR-71 overflights of Cuba have taken account of the status of
Imagery coverage obtained from the satellite systems. and, in turn, satellite
system targeting has regularly taken account-of the products from SR-71
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overflights. If a decision is made to continue SR-71 overflight of* Cuba,
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