What did the declassified documents reveal?

US Intelligence on China: U-2 Flight C109C, May 7, 1969 The US Air Force's Office of Special Activities released a declassified briefing note on May 16, 1969, detailing the mission parameters and outcomes of U-2 flight C109C. This document is notable for providing insight into the CIA's aerial reconnaissance efforts in the People's Republic of China during the Cold War. The briefing note, IDEA 0480-69, was declassified in 2002 under the Freedom of Information Act. It is available through The Black Vault's online archive. Memorandum for the Record: Briefing Notes for C109C 1. Mission C109C was flown on May 7, 1969, with takeoff at 0130Z and landing at 0748Z. The mission duration was 6 hours and 18 minutes. The route was designed to obtain photo and ELINT coverage from the Port Arthur area south of Shanghai. [Four lines redacted under exemption B1] 2. Weather: Forecast Category II with scattered cirrus and haze from Point D to Point AA. The pilot reported weather generally as briefed, with heavy haze over the entire route. [Three lines redacted under exemption B1] 3. Intelligence: a. Target Coverage: A total of 122 targets were photographed, of which 43 were programmed COMIREX targets. Subsequent read-out of photography disclosed the SAWRF area and a guided missile patrol boat facility at Chingshan Naval facility. Pilot observed a dense contrail at 45-50,000 feet, while just south of the Shantung Peninsula. There have been no successful MIG intercepts against the U-2 in the four and one-half years the Chinese have used the MIG-21. It is most probable that any Chinese aircraft in position to fire at a U-2 will do so, regardless of location. The Chief, EALIST Division, OSA, stated that it is most probable that any Chinese aircraft in position to fire at a U-2 will do so, regardless of location. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. For more information, visit storyflo.com.

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-699Declassified

Filed AUG 7 · 2026Runtime 3 min

CIA Us Intelligence On China: U 2 Flight C109c, May 7, 1969 The Us

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated August 7, 2026

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US Intelligence on China: U-2 Flight C109C, May 7, 1969 The US Air Force's Office of Special Activities released a declassified briefing note on May 16, 1969, detailing the mission parameters and outcomes of U-2 flight C109C. This document is notable for providing insight into the CIA's aerial reconnaissance efforts in the People's Republic of China during the Cold War.

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

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What was CIA Us Intelligence On China: U 2 Flight C109c, May 7, 1969 The Us about?: US Intelligence on China: U-2 Flight C109C, May 7, 1969 The US Air Force's Office of Special Activities released a declassified briefing note on May 16, 1969, detailing the mission parameters and outcomes of U-2 flight C109C. This document is notable for providing insight into the CIA's aerial reconnaissance efforts in the People's Republic of China during the Cold 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 Us Intelligence On China: U 2 Flight C109c, May 7, 1969 The Us

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