What did the declassified documents reveal?

Welcome to Declassified. Today, we examine a Central Intelligence Agency record from November nineteen sixty-three: a photographic intelligence report detailing mission coverage of China. This document, designated N-P-I-C / R-one-five-five-three / sixty-three, provides a detailed index of intelligence interest items in China, gathered through aerial photography. You can find this declassified record at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was approved for release on July twenty-second, two-thousand-two, by the Central Intelligence Agency. It was declassified under authority C-I-A-R-D-P-six-six-B-zero-zero-six-six-four-R-zero-zero-zero-three-zero-zero-zero-two-zero-zero-five-two-nine, and pertains to the national defense of the United States. The document opens with a warning notice, stating: "This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of Sections seven-ninety-three and seven-ninety-four of Title eighteen, as amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law." It continues, "This mission coverage index lists items of intelligence interest in China covered by aerial photographic material from C-H-U-R-C-H D-O-O-R Mission G-R-C one-seven-eight, dated September twenty-sixth, nineteen sixty-three." The report outlines its structure: "Items in the compilation are arranged in three sections. Section one provides summary information for A, newly identified targets; B, previously reported targets which show a change; and C, all targets showing order of battle information. Section two provides a listing of those targets which reflect no change in facilities from previous target description. The mission number shown on the photo reference line, for example, N-A-C G-R-C zero-zero-zero, refers to the M-C-I which contains the most adequate description of that target. Military installations where no order of battle can be determined are listed under this section. Section three provides a listing of those targets which could be identified but not interpreted. All three sections are arranged: one, by country; two, within a country by subject; three, within a subject by W-A-C area; and four, within a W-A-C area by coordinates reading from south to north and from west to east." The preface concludes with a caution: "The user of this M-C-I is cautioned that the scan of photography was accomplished in a relatively short time and often without the aid of precise analytical and mensural techniques commonly employed in detailed photographic analysis. Consequently, although the information presented herein is essentially accurate, it may be altered somewhat by additional detailed analysis." The table of contents lists categories for China, including: Missiles, Air Installations, Nuclear Energy, Military Installations, C-B-R Warfare, Electronics/Communications, Industry, Basic Services, Research and Development, Storage, Ports and…

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.

Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Record From November Nineteen

◆ BLUF — The short version

Welcome to Declassified. Today, we examine a Central Intelligence Agency record from November nineteen sixty-three: a photographic intelligence report detailing mission coverage of China. This document, designated N-P-I-C / R-one-five-five-three / sixty-three, provides a detailed index of intelligence interest items in China, gathered through aerial photography.

Date: SEP 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Record From November Nineteen about?: Welcome to Declassified. Today, we examine a Central Intelligence Agency record from November nineteen sixty-three: a photographic intelligence report detailing mission coverage of China. This document, designated N-P-I-C / R-one-five-five-three / sixty-three, provides a detailed index of intelligence interest items in China, gathered through aerial photography.
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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Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Record From November Nineteen

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