What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified United States Air Force intelligence information report, from January nineteenth, nineteen fifty-three, detailing the activities of I-L-28 type aircraft in North China and Manchuria. This document is notable for its insights into Soviet and North Korean air power during the Korean War. You can find this record at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document, an Intelligence Information Report designated I-R fifteen dash fifty-three, was released under the authority of the Assistant Air Attache, Lieutenant Colonel R. Holbrook, United States Air Force. It was declassified and made publicly available by The Black Vault. The document begins with a security notice: "This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the espionage act, Title eighteen, United States Code, Sections thirty-one and thirty-two, as amended. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part by other than United States Air Force agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, U-S-A-F." The report, three pages in total, details: "Special Handling Required. Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals." It states: "As of thirty-first December nineteen fifty-two, a total of one hundred nine I-L-28's are reported to be stationed at the following air bases: Dairen, eight; Kung Chu Ling, eighty-five; Ang Chiang, eight." It continues: "The fifty-five I-L-28's said to be stationed at Kung Chu Ling are still believed to be assigned to the Soviet Air Force. However, C-A-F A-2 believes that a number of these aircraft will be transferred to the North Korean Air Force, since A-2 has received reports indicating that the N-K-A-F has been undergoing extensive training in T-U-2's." The report states: "C-A-F A-2 also believes that since the C-A-F has received I-L-28's and the North Korean Air Force has received T-U-2's, it is logical for the Soviet Air Force to transfer I-L-28's to the North Korean Air Force. This is believed by C-A-F A-2 to be for training purposes only, as they lack sufficient trained pilots to fly them in combat. The training mentioned above will most likely be transferred to the Eighth Air Division at Kung Chu Ling. The Eighth Air Division is presently composed of a number of T-U-2's to the Fourth Air Division at Chiang Hsien. The Fourth Air Division is reportedly the Chinese Communist Air Force's only jet bomber division." The report concludes: "C-A-F A-2 is of the opinion that the Soviets intend to transfer all I-L-28's to the C-A-F and N-K-A-F so that the North Korean and Chinese Communist Air Forces pilots will be able to fly these aircraft on combat missions in the Korean War while the Soviets may continue to use the propaganda that they are not actively engaged in the conflict." This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary…

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 United States Air Force Intelligence

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified United States Air Force intelligence information report, from January nineteenth, nineteen fifty-three, detailing the activities of I-L-28 type aircraft in North China and Manchuria. This document is notable for its insights into Soviet and North Korean air power during the Korean War.

Date: OCT 9 · 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 United States Air Force Intelligence about?: This is Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified United States Air Force intelligence information report, from January nineteenth, nineteen fifty-three, detailing the activities of I-L-28 type aircraft in North China and Manchuria. This document is notable for its insights into Soviet and North Korean air power during the Korean War.
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 United States Air Force Intelligence

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