DATONG (TA-TUNG) SSM FIELD GARRISON, PRC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 17, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

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Top Secret
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
BASIC
I MAGERY
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
DATONG (TA-TUNG) SSM FIELD
GARRISON, PRC (S)
DEPLOYED STRATEGIC SSM FACILITIES
PRC
JULY 1979
Top Secret
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RCA-01/0001/79
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Datong (Ta-tung) SSM Field Garrison
UTM COORDINATES
NA
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
37-07-1ON 101-32-10E
DMAAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0332-20, scale 1:200,000
ABSTRACT
1. (TSR) This report describes the facilities and activity observed at Datong (Ta-tung) SSM
Field Garrison in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and satisfies the basic reporting require-
ments for this facility. A PRC SSM field garrison is a logistics center whose primary activities are
maintenance and training. When the SSM launch units leave the garrison, they go to a deploy-
ment area and build new launch pads or use existing launch ones. The deployment area for the
launch units at Datong is unknown.
2. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison was established in October 1976 just after the
Wuwei (Wu-wei) SSM Field Garrison 50 nautical miles (nm) to the northeast, 25X1
was abandoned. There is circumstantial evidence that the SSM equipment at Datong is rede-
ployed equipment from the Wuwei garrison. Like other SSM field garrisons in the PRC, Datong
contains no long-term propellant storage or warhead storage and handling facilities. Under the
PRC's mobility concept for deployment, all ground support equipment (GSE) is brought together
at the time of deployment, either during the travel phase or at the designated launch areas.
3. (TSR) Datong is currently the largest SSM field garrison identified in the PRC, and is
believed to house the major elements of two SSM regiments and an SSM division headquarters.
The garrison uses the housing and support buildings of a former domestic communications satel-
BEIJING ~C-/ r//
DATONG
WU-WEI
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF DATONG SSM FIELD GARRISON AND RELATED FACILITIES, PRC
Top Secret
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
Top Secret RUFF
lite (comsat) station which was abandoned in 1974. Since October 1976, nine missile checkout/
storage buildings, a training pad, five GSE storage garages, and several support buildings have
been added to the preexisting installation.
4. (U) This report contains two maps, six photographs, and five tables.
INTRODUCTION
5. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison is in Qinghai (Tsing-Hai) Province in Lanzhou
(Lan-chou) Military Region in the western PRC. It is 13.5 nm west-northwest of Datong and 75
nm northwest of Lanzhou (Figure 1). It is in a mountain valley and at an elevation of 2,804
meters. The facility is served by a packed-earth or gravel road. Rail service is provided to the town
of Datong, which is approximately 13 nm to the southeast. Liujinggou (Liu-ching-kou) SSM
Missile Launch Complex is the nearest offensive missile complex. Travel be- 25X1
tween these installations is possible via an improved road, but it appears that it would be slow
and arduous. Several switchbacks lead through the Daban Shan range, north of the facility, to an
elevation of nearly 3,962 meters. The straight-line distance between these facilities is 50 nm;
however, the actual road distance is approximately 115 nm. Road or road and rail travel is
possible from Datong to other SSM-related facilities to the north and west.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) A PRC SSM field garrison is capable of housing, maintaining, and training missile
units but lacks an operational launch pad, underground missile storage areas, and both above-
ground and underground propellant storage areas. A field garrison typically lacks sufficient onsite
GSE (propellant vehicles and associated support vans) storage capacity to support the number of
missile checkout/storage buildings present. Each missile checkout/storage building has two bays
and is capable of housing an SSM on its transporter and a transporter/erector. To meet the need
for additional GSE storage, it is probable that an additional GSE storage area or areas are located
elsewhere in the region. Therefore, when the missile launch unit deploys to the field, all of its
components are brought together at a predesignated area or at a field launch position.
T
1 HOUSING AND POSS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AREA
2 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING AREA
3 TRUCK REPAIR/ASSEMBLY PLANT AND HOUSING AREA
5 HOUSING AND MISSILE AND GSE STORAGE AREA
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Top Secret
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
Top Secret RUFF
lite (comsat) station which was abandoned in 1974. Since October 1976, nine missile checkout/
storage buildings, a training pad, five GSE storage garages, and several support buildings have
been added to the preexisting installation.
4. (U) This report contains two maps, six photographs, and five tables.
INTRODUCTION
5. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison is in Qinghai (Tsing-Hai) Province in Lanzhou
(Lan-chou) Military Region in the western PRC. It is 13.5 nm west-northwest of Datong and 75
nm northwest of Lanzhou (Figure 1). It is in a mountain valley and at an elevation of 2,804
meters. The facility is served by a packed-earth or gravel road. Rail service is provided to the town
of Datong, which is approximately 13 nm to the southeast. Liujinggou (Liu-ching-kou) SSM
Missile Launch Complex is the nearest offensive missile complex. Travel be- 25X1
tween these installations is possible via an improved road, but it appears that it would be slow
and arduous. Several switchbacks lead through the Daban Shan range, north of the facility, to an
elevation of nearly 3,962 meters. The straight-line distance between these facilities is 50 nm;
however, the actual road distance is approximately 115 nm. Road or road and rail travel is
possible from Datong to other SSM-related facilities to the north and west.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) A PRC SSM field garrison is capable of housing, maintaining, and training missile
units but lacks an operational launch pad, underground missile storage areas, and both above-
ground and underground propellant storage areas. A field garrison typically lacks sufficient onsite
GSE (propellant vehicles and associated support vans) storage capacity to support the number of
missile checkout/storage buildings present. Each missile checkout/storage building has two bays
and is capable of housing an SSM on its transporter and a transporter/erector. To meet the need
for additional GSE storage, it is probable that an additional GSE storage area or areas are located
elsewhere in the region. Therefore, when the missile launch unit deploys to the field, all of its
components are brought together at a predesignated area or at a field launch position.
T
1 HOUSING AND POSS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AREA
2 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING AREA
3 TRUCK REPAIR/ASSEMBLY PLANT AND HOUSING AREA
5 HOUSING AND MISSILE AND GSE STORAGE AREA
-2-
Top Secret
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
Top Secret RUFF
lite (comsat) station which was abandoned in 1974. Since October 1976, nine missile checkout/
storage buildings, a training pad, five GSE storage garages, and several support buildings have
been added to the preexisting installation.
4. (U) This report contains two maps, six photographs, and five tables.
INTRODUCTION
5. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison is in Qinghai (Tsing-Hai) Province in Lanzhou
(Lan-chou) Military Region in the western PRC. It is 13.5 nm west-northwest of Datong and 75
nm northwest of Lanzhou (Figure 1). It is in a mountain valley and at an elevation of 2,804
meters. The facility is served by a packed-earth or gravel road. Rail service is provided to the town
of Datong, which is approximately 13 nm to the southeast. Liujinggou (Liu-ching-kou) SSM
Missile Launch Complex is the nearest offensive missile complex. Travel be- 25X1
tween these installations is possible via an improved road, but it appears that it would be slow
and arduous. Several switchbacks lead through the Daban Shan range, north of the facility, to an
elevation of nearly 3,962 meters. The straight-line distance between these facilities is 50 nm;
however, the actual road distance is approximately 115 nm. Road or road and rail travel is
possible from Datong to other SSM-related facilities to the north and west.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) A PRC SSM field garrison is capable of housing, maintaining, and training missile
units but lacks an operational launch pad, underground missile storage areas, and both above-
ground and underground propellant storage areas. A field garrison typically lacks sufficient onsite
GSE (propellant vehicles and associated support vans) storage capacity to support the number of
missile checkout/storage buildings present. Each missile checkout/storage building has two bays
and is capable of housing an SSM on its transporter and a transporter/erector. To meet the need
for additional GSE storage, it is probable that an additional GSE storage area or areas are located
elsewhere in the region. Therefore, when the missile launch unit deploys to the field, all of its
components are brought together at a predesignated area or at a field launch position.
T
1 HOUSING AND POSS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AREA
2 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING AREA
3 TRUCK REPAIR/ASSEMBLY PLANT AND HOUSING AREA
5 HOUSING AND MISSILE AND GSE STORAGE AREA
-2-
Top Secret
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
Top Secret RUFF
lite (comsat) station which was abandoned in 1974. Since October 1976, nine missile checkout/
storage buildings, a training pad, five GSE storage garages, and several support buildings have
been added to the preexisting installation.
4. (U) This report contains two maps, six photographs, and five tables.
INTRODUCTION
5. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison is in Qinghai (Tsing-Hai) Province in Lanzhou
(Lan-chou) Military Region in the western PRC. It is 13.5 nm west-northwest of Datong and 75
nm northwest of Lanzhou (Figure 1). It is in a mountain valley and at an elevation of 2,804
meters. The facility is served by a packed-earth or gravel road. Rail service is provided to the town
of Datong, which is approximately 13 nm to the southeast. Liujinggou (Liu-ching-kou) SSM
Missile Launch Complex is the nearest offensive missile complex. Travel be- 25X1
tween these installations is possible via an improved road, but it appears that it would be slow
and arduous. Several switchbacks lead through the Daban Shan range, north of the facility, to an
elevation of nearly 3,962 meters. The straight-line distance between these facilities is 50 nm;
however, the actual road distance is approximately 115 nm. Road or road and rail travel is
possible from Datong to other SSM-related facilities to the north and west.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) A PRC SSM field garrison is capable of housing, maintaining, and training missile
units but lacks an operational launch pad, underground missile storage areas, and both above-
ground and underground propellant storage areas. A field garrison typically lacks sufficient onsite
GSE (propellant vehicles and associated support vans) storage capacity to support the number of
missile checkout/storage buildings present. Each missile checkout/storage building has two bays
and is capable of housing an SSM on its transporter and a transporter/erector. To meet the need
for additional GSE storage, it is probable that an additional GSE storage area or areas are located
elsewhere in the region. Therefore, when the missile launch unit deploys to the field, all of its
components are brought together at a predesignated area or at a field launch position.
T
1 HOUSING AND POSS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AREA
2 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING AREA
3 TRUCK REPAIR/ASSEMBLY PLANT AND HOUSING AREA
5 HOUSING AND MISSILE AND GSE STORAGE AREA
-2-
Top Secret
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100950001-0
Top Secret RUFF
lite (comsat) station which was abandoned in 1974. Since October 1976, nine missile checkout/
storage buildings, a training pad, five GSE storage garages, and several support buildings have
been added to the preexisting installation.
4. (U) This report contains two maps, six photographs, and five tables.
INTRODUCTION
5. (TSR) The Datong SSM Field Garrison is in Qinghai (Tsing-Hai) Province in Lanzhou
(Lan-chou) Military Region in the western PRC. It is 13.5 nm west-northwest of Datong and 75
nm northwest of Lanzhou (Figure 1). It is in a mountain valley and at an elevation of 2,804
meters. The facility is served by a packed-earth or gravel road. Rail service is provided to the town
of Datong, which is approximately 13 nm to the southeast. Liujinggou (Liu-ching-kou) SSM
Missile Launch Complex is the nearest offensive missile complex. Travel be- 25X1
tween these installations is possible via an improved road, but it appears that it would be slow
and arduous. Several switchbacks lead through the Daban Shan range, north of the facility, to an
elevation of nearly 3,962 meters. The straight-line distance between these facilities is 50 nm;
however, the actual road distance is approximately 115 nm. Road or road and rail travel is
possible from Datong to other SSM-related facilities to the north and west.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) A PRC SSM field garrison is capable of housing, maintaining, and training missile
units but lacks an operational launch pad, underground missile storage areas, and both above-
ground and underground propellant storage areas. A field garrison typically lacks sufficient onsite
GSE (propellant vehicles and associated support vans) storage capacity to support the number of
missile checkout/storage buildings present. Each missile checkout/storage building has two bays
and is capable of housing an SSM on its transporter and a transporter/erector. To meet the need
for additional GSE storage, it is probable that an additional GSE storage area or areas are located
elsewhere in the region. Therefore, when the missile launch unit deploys to the field, all of its
components are brought together at a predesignated area or at a field launch position.
T
1 HOUSING AND POSS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AREA
2 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSING AREA
3 TRUCK REPAIR/ASSEMBLY PLANT AND HOUSING AREA
5 HOUSING AND MISSILE AND GSE STORAGE AREA
-2-
Top Secret
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Top Secret RUFF
Table 5. Housing and Possible Communications Support Area
(Keyed to Figure 7)
This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF
lterii Function
Heating plant
a
b
c
2 Admin/support bldg
3 Barracks (multistory)
4 Admin/support bldg
5 Support bldg
6 Admin/support bldg
7 Barracks (multistory)
8 Barracks (multistory)
9 Messhall
10 Shop bldg
11 Barracks (multistory)
12 Barracks (multistory)
13 Support bldg
14 Support bldg
15 Barracks (multistory)
16 Shop bldg
17 Prob shop bldg
18,19 Support bldg (2)
20 Shop/support bldg
Dimension Roof Cover
(m) Isq m)
W H
254
365
401
368
56
368
405
593
435
132
413
590
207
120
287
93
776
380
284
observed under construction on and were externally complete in December.
The training launch pad was first seen on ith a CSS-2 launch stand on it. The pad is
rectangular rather than square and is slightly smaller than launch pads found
at operational SSM sites, A CSS-2 transporter/erector has been seen backed up to a launch stand
on the pad on several occasions, an indication of its use in driver training and in practice missile
loading. The pad is lightly covered with earth or vegetation when it is not in use.
12. (TSR) The administration area is partially fence secured and contains an administra-
tion/headquarters building (formerly an operations/control building) now modified to contain a
missile maintenance/training bay in the east wing, three multistory barracks/administration
buildings, five messhalls, one heating plant, and two weather stations. The probable domestic
comsat station was observed being dismantled on 0 Both the 10- and the 15-meter-
diameter antenna dishes were gone in November 1974, and no activity was seen in the area
between November 1974 and January 1976. Four messhalls and the two weather stations were
constructed between January 1976 and October 1976 when the SSM equipment was initially
observed. A PARACEL A meteorological radar is near the weather stations. The first sighting of
activity near the east wing of the administration/headquarters building was in April 1977, when
the trees and shrubbery had been removed and a road and a Y-shaped vehicle turnaround area
had been built. The vehicle turnaround area and the wing of the building are each long enough to
accommodate either a CSS-2 transporter or transporter/erector. The drive-in opening was initially
visible in the wing in July 1977. This opening is which is large enough to
accommodate a CSS-2 on its transporter or transporter/erector.
Truck Repair/Assembly Plant and Housing Area
13, (TSR) The truck repair/assembly plant and housing area (Figure 5 and Table 3), for-
merly the Datong HF Communications Facility, is 945 meters northwest of the administration
and missile and GSE storage area. It is wall secured and consists of two areas. The truck repair/
assembly plant area contains eight vehicle repair/assembly buildings. The eight vehicle repair/as-
sembly buildings are former barracks which have been converted. Trucks and truck chassis in
various stages of repair are scattered among these buildings. The adjacent housing area contains
three barracks/administration buildings, a vehicle storage garage with ten bays, four multistory
barracks, one messhall, and a heating plant. A nearby HF fishbone antenna field was removed
from this area between December 1973 and April 1974. The area remained inactive until October
1976. At that time, at least seven trucks and several truck cargo compartments were observed
when SSM equipment was first identified at the field garrison.
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RCA -01/0001/79
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Vehicle Maintenance and Housing Area
14. (TSR) The vehicle maintenance and housing area (Figure 6 and Table 4) is 2,550 meters
west of the administration and missile and GSE storage area. The partially wall-secured area
contains a 15-bay vehicle storage garage with an adjacent vehicle maintenance rack, four multi-
story barracks, 12 barracks, eight multifamily quarters that can house 19 families, four messhalls,
four multistory administration/support buildings, two auditoriums, four heating plants, and an
athletic field. A grenade practice range has also been observed here. Only minor construction
activity has occurred within the area since December 1970.
Housing and Possible Communications Support Area
15. (TSR) The housing and possible communications support area (Figure 7 and Table 5) is
750 meters west of the vehicle maintenance and housing area. The area contains three administra-
tion/support buildings, six multistory barracks, one messhall, one heating plant, and two caves.
Only minor construction activity has occurred within the area since December 1970.
16. (TSR) The two caves were first observed under construction in October 1971. Construc-
tion was slowed or halted in the mid-1970s and was apparently resumed by April 1977 after the
arrival of the missile forces. These two caves could meet to form a tunnel approximately 310
meters long. However, the amount of spoil excavated indicates that this would not be a drive-
through tunnel. The caves have a north/south orientation and their exact function is unknown.
The north cave is served by a foot bridge and has a headworks An entrance or
doors could not be discerned. The construction support buildings associated with the south cave
entrance were torn down in June 1978. An earth and gravel road serves this cave. Little or no
construction activity is presently occurring at either cave.
Status and Activity
17. (TSR) The status and activity at the former probable domestic comsat station (present-
ly the administration and missile and GSE storage area) and the former HF communications
facility (presently the truck repair/assembly and housing area) as of ere dis-
cussed in a previous report.' No unusual vehicular activity was seen in the other three areas of the
field garrison from the time of their construction through This report discusses the
activity seen in all five areas since that date.
18. (TSR) The removal of the fishbone antenna masts from the HF communications facility
between December 1973 and April 1974 was the first indication of a change in status of the area.
The two antenna dishes were being removed from the comsat site when the area was observed on
Figure 8). On that date, the 15-meter-diameter dish had been dismantled and about
20 of its dish segments were lying nearby on the ground. Also, one segment was missing from the
10-meter-diameter dish. By November 1974, both dishes were gone, but the pedestals remained,
and the entire area appeared to be inactive. Little or no vehicular activity was seen at any of the
five areas from November 1974 until when CSS-2 SSM equipment was first
identified and there was an increase in vehicular activity in all the areas. This is the primary
reason why each of the five areas is considered to be a part of the SSM field garrison. Approxi-
mately 120 vehicles, including two probable warhead vans, one CSS-2 launch stand transporter,
and 25 propellant vehicles, were observed at the SSM field garrison in October. It is likely that
this equipment came from the former SSM garrison at Wuwei, which is 50 nm northeast of
Datong. SSM equipment was last observed at Wuwei on photography of___________ All equip-
ment was gone from that facility on Ground force units are now housed at the Wuwei
facility,
19. (TSR) High-resolution imagery of Datong in April, September, and October 1977 contin-
ued to show numerous pieces of CSS-2 equipment. The first CSS-2 transporter/erector was ob-
served in front of the missile checkout/storage buildings of the administration and missile and
GSE storage area on photography ofOSeveral small boxlike van trucks with a small
circular area atop the van body were discernible in the housing and possible communications
support area. These vehicles, which are are possibly associated with communi-
cations and have been continuously observed in various numbers in this area.
20. (TSR) In October and November 1977, there was a sharp decrease in the number of
vehicles observed in the open. This decrease can no doubt be attributed to the completion of the
new GSE vehicle storage garages. From November 1977 until June 1978, little or no activity was
observed at the field garrison. In June 1978, activity increased and the training launch pad was
first observed with a CSS-2 launch stand on it and a CSS-2 transporter/erector backed up to it.
The activity in this area had ended by However, observations of SSM equipment within
21. (TSR) Although the size and the location of deployment of the unit housed at Datong
are not certain, the Datong SSM Field Garrison is presently the largest SSM field garrison
identified in the PRC. The garrison may contain the major elements of two regiment-sized units.
The large amount of administration space may be used to house an SSM division headquarters.
observed in the Liujinggou area between
when the courtyard was empty. There is a possibility that some of this equipment may have
been transported to the Liujinggou SSM launch complex. An increase in SSM equipment was
the courtyard area of the housing and missile and GSE storage area continued until
Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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REFERENCES
IMAGERY
(TSR) All applicable KEYHOLE imagery acquired from 25X1
was used in the preparation of this repoL 25X1
MAPS OR CHARTS
DMAAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0332-20, scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
DOCUMENT
1. NPIC.O RCA-03/0023/73, Tatung Space Tracking Facility (Ta-tung Probable Communications 25X1
Satellite Earth Station), Nov 73 (TOP SECRET 25X1
25X1
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX A01
Project 290003DA
(5) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Asian Forces 25X1
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Top Secret
RCA -01/0001/79
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