What did the declassified documents reveal?

This episode of Declassified presents a declassified United States Air Force record, dated December first, nineteen-fifty-three, detailing an intelligence estimate of the Communist air order of battle in the Far East. This document, originating from Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, provides a snapshot of the air strength of Chinese, Soviet, and North Korean forces shortly after the Korean Armistice. It is publicly available through The Black Vault archive at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and is cited in The Black Vault’s archive under the identifier CI01044. The original classification was Top Secret, later downgraded to Secret, and further to Confidential upon the removal of specific enclosures, as indicated by paragraph three of the transmittal letter. This is a declassified record from the archives of the United States government. The document, titled "Estimate - Air Order of Battle, Communist Forces, Far East, Change Number Two," states: "Transmitted herewith is the following supplemental material which is to be incorporated into the estimate entitled Air Order of Battle, Communist Forces, Far East, originally published by this headquarters under date of one September nineteen-fifty-three. Revised portions will be removed from basic document and destroyed in accordance with current directives. Certificate of destruction is not required by this headquarters. Upon removal of Inclosures one, two, three, and four, the classification of this letter will be downgraded to Confidential. The aircraft strength of the combined Communist forces in China, Manchuria, and Korea is presently estimated at two thousand four hundred forty, indicating an increase of sixty aircraft over the previous FEAF estimate of one September nineteen-fifty-three. This strength increase is attributed to additional jet light bombers, specifically I-L-two-eight aircraft, which are considered to have been turned over to the C-C-A-F by the Soviet Union. It appears evident that one light bomber division is now in Manchuria for conversion to this new equipment. Consequently, the C-C-A-F jet light bomber count now stands at one hundred twenty I-L-two-eight aircraft. The only other C-C-A-F changes that have been firmly supported are the withdrawal of eighty-five jet fighters from Manchuria to East China, and the activation of the third Naval Air Division. Thus far, the new Naval air unit has evidenced no aircraft strength; it probably is undergoing the early stages of acquiring trained personnel, largely from among graduates of the Naval Air School at Weihsien, prior to the assignment of aircraft. Significant within the North Korean Air Force, or N-K-A-F, has been the movement of the majority of its units and aircraft into North Korea from Manchurian bases. The aircraft strength of that force is believed to have remained relatively stable since the Korean armistice. It is considered that Russian fighter units are…

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.

This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Declassified United States Air Force

◆ BLUF — The short version

This episode of Declassified presents a declassified United States Air Force record, dated December first, nineteen-fifty-three, detailing an intelligence estimate of the Communist air order of battle in the Far East. This document, originating from Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, provides a snapshot of the air strength of Chinese, Soviet, and North Korean forces shortly after the Korean Armistice.

Date: OCT 3 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Declassified United States Air Force about?: This episode of Declassified presents a declassified United States Air Force record, dated December first, nineteen-fifty-three, detailing an intelligence estimate of the Communist air order of battle in the Far East. This document, originating from Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, provides a snapshot of the air strength of Chinese, Soviet, and North Korean forces shortly after the Korean Armistice.
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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This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Declassified United States Air Force

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