What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on a probable signals intelligence facility near Kun‑ming, China, dated November nineteen sixty‑seven. The document is notable because it provides detailed imagery analysis of a suspected SIGINT installation during a period of heightened Cold War activity in Southeast Asia. The source is archived at The Black Vault. The record was released through the CIA’s electronic reading room after a declassification review by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency and the Department of Defense. The review was completed in the late nineteen‑seventies and the material was made publicly available without alteration. The Black Vault hosts the full text for public access. Photographic Interpretation – Kun‑ming Probable SIGINT Facility – China – November nineteen sixty‑seven – Copy one hundred sixteen. Automatic downgrading and declassification. Declassification review by N‑I‑M‑A and the Department of Defense. Approved for release. National Photographic Interpretation Center. Geographic coordinates: latitude fifty‑two degrees north, longitude one hundred forty‑eight degrees east. Installation name: Kun‑ming Probable SIGINT Facility, United States. Location: eight nautical miles southeast of Kun‑ming. Map reference: United States Army Topographic Command series, scale one to two hundred thousand. Requirement: weather‑satellite observation component, project one one three nine nine A‑G slash six seven, baseline operational components: one thick eight, three fix eight, communications facility. Imagery analysis: The three fix eight, the thick eight, and the communications facility are identified as the components of the signals intelligence facility. The communications facility contains one rhombic antenna and numerous unidentified masts. It is connected by cables to fix eight one and probably provides the communications for the facility. Although other nearby communications facilities exist, this is the only one physically connected to any of the high‑frequency direction‑finding equipment. Approximate dimensions of the high‑frequency direction‑finding components are as follows: fix eight one control building fifteen feet by fifteen feet with a circular area of fifty feet diameter; thick eight one control building cage element with an inner circle diameter of one hundred fifty feet and an outer circle diameter of one hundred sixty feet; fix eight two control building with a circular area of one hundred sixty feet diameter; and fix eight three control building fifteen feet by fifteen feet, inner circle diameter sixty‑five feet, outer circle diameter one hundred twenty‑five feet. Antennas: number type dimensions and orientation – probable rhombic antenna, dimensions not specified, orientation approximately nine hundred five degrees. Additional antenna types are listed as undetermined. The Black Vault notes that this document is a photographic interpretation of a probable signals…

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.

Case File · ARCHIVE-682Declassified

Filed AUG 13 · 2026Runtime 1 min

Central Intelligence Agency Photographic Intelligence Report On A Probable

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated August 13, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on a probable signals intelligence facility near Kun‑ming, China, dated November nineteen sixty‑seven. The document is notable because it provides detailed imagery analysis of a suspected SIGINT installation during a period of heightened Cold War activity in Southeast Asia.

Date: AUG 13 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Central Intelligence Agency Photographic Intelligence Report On A Probable about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on a probable signals intelligence facility near Kun‑ming, China, dated November nineteen sixty‑seven. The document is notable because it provides detailed imagery analysis of a suspected SIGINT installation during a period of heightened Cold War activity in Southeast Asia.
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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