INCREASED DEFENSES NOVA LISBOA AIRFIELD, ANGOLA 15 MARCH 1984

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00491R000101210001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 8, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 20, 1984
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/08: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101210001-2
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CONTROL NO. Z-17365/84
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Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/08: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101210001-2
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(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
INCREASED DEFENSES
NOVA LISBOA AIRFIELD, ANGOLA (SWN)
NPIC/IEG (3/84)
20 MARCH 1984
1. SIGNIFICANCE: SINCE MARCH 1983 ANGOLAN/CUBAN FORCES HAVE
RESPONDED TO MOUNTING PRESSURE BY UNITA FORCES (NATIONAL UNION
FOR THE TOTAL INDEPENDENCE OF ANGOLA) BY STRENGTHENING
DEFENSES AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF COMBAT AIRCRAFT AT NOVA
LISBOA AIRFIELD IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF HUAMBO IN CENTRAL
ANGOLA. (SWN)
2. REMARKS: MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AIRFIELD DEFENSES INCLUDED
THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL 35 AIRCRAFT REVETMENTS (FOR
A TOTAL OF 39) AND AN EARTHEN BERM ALONG THE NORTHERN EDGE OF
THE AIRFIELD'S SUPPORT AREA SINCE MARCH 1983 (EIGHT REVETMENTS
NOT ON GRAPHIC). AN ADDITIONAL EARTHEN BERM, PARTIALLY
ENCLOSING THE AIR WARNING (AW) SITE ON THE AIRFIELD'S
SOUTHWESTERN EDGE, HAD ALSO BEEN ERECTED BY,MARCH 1984. IN
ADDITION, HARDENED UNDERGROUND PERSONNEL SHELTERS HAVE BEEN
CONSTRUCTED AT THE AW SITE, THE THREE SIX-POSITION
ANTIAIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA) SITES (ONE NOT ON GRAPHIC), AND
IN A WOODED AREA AT THE EAST END OF THE RUNWAY WHERE AN
INFANTRY UNIT OF UNDETERMINED SIZE IS DEPLOYED (NOT ON
GRAPHIC). (SWN)
SIGHTINGS OF INCREASED NUMBERS OF COMBAT AND TRANSPORT
AIRCRAFT HAVE COINCIDED WITH THE UPGRADING OF THE AIRFIELD'S
DEFENSES. FISHBED AIRCRAFT WERE REDEPLOYED TO THE AIRFIELD IN
APRIL 1983 AFTER AN ABSENCE OF TEN MONTHS. AT LEAST FIVE
FRESCO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO THE AIRFIELD SINCE OCTOBER 1983.
TWO OF THE 12 HIND-D ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN ANGOLA'S INVENTORY
HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE AIRFIELD SINCE
AT LEAST LATE FEBRUARY 1984. HIP HELICOPTERS RETURNED TO THE
AIRFIELD IN OCTOBER 1983 AFTER AN ABSENCE OF 16 MONTHS AND
INCREASED FROM FOUR TO SEVEN DURING MARCH 1984. (SWN)
IN RECENT MONTHS, INCREASED FLIGHTS OF TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT HAVE
ALSO BEEN OBSERVED AS UNITA'S ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE THE TOWN OF
HUAMBO HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SUCCESSFUL. THESE FLIGHTS
INCLUDED UNUSUAL DEPLOYMENTS OF TAAG (ANGOLA'S COMMERCIAL
AIRLINE) 707'S, WHICH ARE NORMALLY USED FOR INTERNATIONAL
ROUTES. THREE SOVIET VTA CUBS WERE OBSERVED AT THE AIRFIELD
IN OCTOBER 1983. A 737 WHICH HAD MADE A CRASH-LANDING WAS
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work.
Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for and must be considered
valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
SECRET
Attachment to Z-17365/84
25X1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/08: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101210001-2
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/08: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101210001-2
SECRET
Page 2 of 2
Copy
Attachment to Z -17 3 6 S/ 8 4
NPIC/IEG (3/84)
20 MARCH 1984
JUST OFF THE WEST END OF THE RUNWAY IN MARCH 1984. UNITA
CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRASH IN OPEN PRESS ACCOUNTS.
(SWN)
PROVINCE, MALANJE AIRFIELD IN MALANJE 25X1
AIRFIELDS INCLUDE LUENA AIRFIELD IN MOXICO 25X1
ANALYST'S COMMENTS: SIMILAR UPGRADING OF DEFENSES AND
DEPLOYMENTS OF COMBAT AIRCRAFT HAVE ALSO BEEN OBSERVED AT
OTHER PROVINCIAL AIRFIELDS NEAR WHERE UNITA FORCES ARE
CONDUCTING OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT. THESE
PROVINCE, AND MENONGUE EAST AIRFIELD IN CUANDO 25X1
CUBANGO PROVINCE. THIS TREND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE AS ANGOLAN
FORCES BECOME MORE ISOLATED AND DEPENDENT ON AIR SUPPORT FOR
RESUPPLY IN HEAVILY CONTESTED A EAS. (SWN)
25X1
COORDINATES 12-48-23S 015-45-26E (S) 25X1
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work.
Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for and must be considered
valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
SECRET
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/08: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101210001-2