What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified government record concerning United States intelligence on China, specifically a top-secret cable detailing a photographic reconnaissance operation from March nineteenth, nineteen-fifty-two. This document is archived at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and was declassified by the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O, on August first, nineteen-ninety-seven. The declassification authority was exemption B-one. The document begins with standard internal agency routing information. The top banner is marked "Top Secret." Below this, we find: "From: Joint Chiefs of Staff. To: Commander in Chief, Far East. Subject: Photographic Reconnaissance Operation." The cable then details instructions for the proposed operation. The first substantive paragraph states: "Authority is granted for photographic reconnaissance mission over [two lines redacted under exemption B1] on March twentieth, nineteen-fifty-two. Primary target is the [one line redacted under exemption B1] area." It continues: "Aircraft to be used is [one line redacted under exemption B1] equipped with [one line redacted under exemption B1] cameras. Altitude will be [one line redacted under exemption B1] feet. Secondary targets include [three lines redacted under exemption B1]." The document further specifies details regarding mission objectives and intelligence gathering, stating: "Specific intelligence requirements include identification of [four lines redacted under exemption B1] and assessment of [two lines redacted under exemption B1]. Special attention to be paid to [three lines redacted under exemption B1]." The document then addresses contingency plans, noting: "In the event of interception or hostile action, mission is to be aborted immediately and aircraft to return to base. All crew members briefed on [two lines redacted under exemption B1] procedures." The final section of the document concerns reporting protocols: "Immediate debriefing and photographic processing required upon return. Preliminary report due no later than March twenty-first, nineteen-fifty-two. Final report to include [three lines redacted under exemption B1] to be forwarded to Joint Chiefs of Staff." The Black Vault’s archive entry for this document describes it as "U.S. Intelligence on China, a photographic reconnaissance operation cable, outlining a top secret mission." This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. storyflo.com, and the document's canonical URL is archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI00893/CI00893djvu.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 Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record Concerning United States

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified government record concerning United States intelligence on China, specifically a top-secret cable detailing a photographic reconnaissance operation from March nineteenth, nineteen-fifty-two. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and was declassified by the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O, on August first, nineteen-ninety-seven.

Date: OCT 12 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record Concerning United States about?: This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified government record concerning United States intelligence on China, specifically a top-secret cable detailing a photographic reconnaissance operation from March nineteenth, nineteen-fifty-two. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and was declassified by the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O, on August first, nineteen-ninety-seven.
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 Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record Concerning United States

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