What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, dated September twenty-fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, detailing an aerial reconnaissance mission over Manchuria. This document, obtained via The Black Vault, provides insight into Cold War intelligence gathering and the risks involved in such operations. You can find it at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, though no specific FOIA case number is cited in its public archive entry. It was declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency, with the exact declassification authority not specified on the document itself. This record offers a glimpse into the operational planning of clandestine aerial surveillance during the Cold War. The document, an OUT-20975 cable, is marked "IMMEDIATE" and "TOP SECRET." It states: "Photographic and electronic intelligence of Manchuria area required." It lists, "Mission will pass near to sixteen M-I-G fifteen slash seventeen fighter bases. M-I-G nineteen aircraft are based at Anshan, Liaoyang, and Yangtsun airfields. No known Chinese Communist aircraft has the capability to interfere with mission route at altitude. North Korea has M-I-G twenty-one aircraft based at Pukchang-Ni and the U-S-S-R has M-I-G twenty-one, Fitter and Fishpot aircraft based at Ussuriysk-Dalniy and Uglovoye Northwest airfields. None of these aircraft are expected to cross their national borders." The document continues on page two, listing "S-A-G two sites in China [four lines redacted under exemption B1], in Korea: Pyongyang, and [coordinates redacted]. In U-S-S-R: Vladivostok and Ussuriysk-Dalniy area are twenty-six confirmed S-A-two sites." It concludes with "Flight line coverage requested" and "End of Message." The Black Vault's archival summary notes that this document details a highly sensitive U.S. intelligence mission focused on gathering aerial reconnaissance. It illustrates the extensive planning and risk assessment involved in such operations, particularly regarding potential encounters with adversary air defenses and aircraft during the Cold War era. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find this document and more at storyflo.com, and directly via archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI01590/CI01590djvu.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.

Central Intelligence Agency Record, Dated September Twenty Fourth

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, dated September twenty-fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, detailing an aerial reconnaissance mission over Manchuria. This document, obtained via The Black Vault, provides insight into Cold War intelligence gathering and the risks involved in such operations.

Date: SEP 7 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Central Intelligence Agency Record, Dated September Twenty Fourth about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, dated September twenty-fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, detailing an aerial reconnaissance mission over Manchuria. This document, obtained via The Black Vault, provides insight into Cold War intelligence gathering and the risks involved in such operations.
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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Central Intelligence Agency Record, Dated September Twenty Fourth

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