FAS Homepage | Intelligence | IMINT Gallery | Index | Search | Join FAS

Cuba

Cuban Missile Crisis

In the fall of 1962, there were unconfirmed reports that the Soviets were installing intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Cuba. Imagery from satellites and high flying U-2 airplanes, provided incontrovertible proof that the rumors were true. The resulting confrontation between Soviet Premier Khrushchev and US President John F. Kennedy in October 1962 brought the world to the brink of war.

On 14 October 1962 two USAF U-2 reconnaissance aircraft photographed portions of Cuba and analysis of these photos confirmed that bases were being constructed for intermediate-range missiles within striking distance of the United States. President John F. Kennedy placed the US armed forces on alert for whatever action might be necessary, and USAF U-2 and RF-101 flights over Cuba continued, the latter aircraft sometimes flying at tree-top level.

Sources and Methods

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
Cuban Missile Crisis Excomm Transcripts 18 October 1962
THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS OF 1962: PRESENTING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE ABROAD - by Sherman Kent, Studies in Intelligence Spring 1972.

Havana SA-2 antiaircraft site 26 Aug 62	Sagua La Grande MRBM Site 1 23 Oct 62	Sagua La Grande MRBM Site 1 01 Nov 62	Sagua La Grande MRBM Site 1 18 Jan 63
Sagua La Grande MRBM Site 2 18 Jan 63	San Cristobal MRBM Site 1 25 Oct 62	San Cristobal MRBM Site 1 01 Nov 62	San Cristobal MRBM Site 1 27 Jan 63
San Cristobal MRBM Site 2 27 Oct 62	San Cristobal MRBM Site 2 01 Nov 62	San Cristobal MRBM Site 3 01 Nov 62	San Cristobal MRBM Site 4 29 Oct 62
Guanajay IRBM Launch Site 1	Guanajay IRBM Launch Site 2 01 Nov 62	Guanajay IRBM Launch Site 2 27 Jan 63	Remedios IRBM Launch Site 3
San Julian airfield 15 Nov 62	San Julian airfield & SAM site 25 Nov 62