What did the declassified documents reveal?

This episode of Declassified presents a Joint Chiefs of Staff message concerning reconnaissance over China. Dated May first, nineteen-fifty-one, it provides insight into early United States intelligence planning during the Korean War. This document is available at documents2.theblackvault.com. This record was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, case number F-two-thousand-eight-zero-zero-four-nine-five, and released on May eighteenth, two-thousand-eight, under the authority of the National Archives and Records Administration. It originated from the archive's collection of U.S. Intelligence on China. The document is a Joint Message Form from the Communications Center, originating from Commander in Chief, Far East. It is addressed to the Commanding General, Far East Air Force. The message is marked "Top Secret." It identifies itself as "JCS eight nine six eight seven." The body of the message states: "JCS message JCS eight nine six two seven, DTG two seven one five four five Z April. It is pointed out that this radio does not constitute a decision by the JCS to implement subject reconnaissance program of Manchuria and China Coastal areas. However, policy enunciated in referenced radio will serve to guide your planning efforts for any flights which may later be directed in these areas." The document concludes with the security classification "Top Secret." The Black Vault archive, where this document is hosted, notes that this record reveals that by May of nineteen-fifty-one, the Joint Chiefs of Staff were actively planning reconnaissance flights over Manchuria and Chinese coastal areas. This planning was occurring even as the U.S. remained officially committed to a non-expansionist policy in the Korean War. The document is one page in length and signed by H. Frazier, Assistant Adjutant General. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find this document at storyflo.com, under the canonical URL archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI00720/CI00720djvu.txt.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

CIA This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Joint Chiefs Of Staff Message

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This episode of Declassified presents a Joint Chiefs of Staff message concerning reconnaissance over China. Dated May first, nineteen-fifty-one, it provides insight into early United States intelligence planning during the Korean War. com.

Date: OCT 20 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Joint Chiefs Of Staff Message about?: This episode of Declassified presents a Joint Chiefs of Staff message concerning reconnaissance over China. Dated May first, nineteen-fifty-one, it provides insight into early United States intelligence planning during the Korean War. com.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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CIA This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Joint Chiefs Of Staff Message

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