What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on CSS‑one missile equipment at the Teng‑sha‑ho military installation in China, dated April nineteen seventy‑two. The document appears in the public archive of the Black Vault. The record was released under a Freedom of Information Act request, case number unknown, with a release date of February twenty‑third, two thousand four. The declassification authority was the Central Intelligence Agency, which approved the material for public distribution on that date. The report begins with an abstract. It reads: “This is a preliminary basic report describing CSS‑one missile equipment at Teng‑sha‑ho Military Installation. This equipment was present as early as [redacted] and may have been there as early as [redacted]. This report consists of a location map, text, four photographs, and chronological, mensural, and reference data.” The introduction states: “Teng‑sha‑ho Military Installation is approximately one‑half kilometer north of Teng‑sha‑ho and thirty nautical miles north‑east of Lu‑ta (Figure one). Except for eight buildings constructed between the installation was complete.” The basic description continues: “Teng‑sha‑ho Military Installation (Figure two) is a wall‑secured, road‑served compound consisting of three barracks, two parade‑rack administration buildings, two barracks/support buildings, two storage/support buildings, three vehicle storage buildings, eleven support buildings, one vehicle storage and support building, one guardhouse, and numerous animal pens.” The report then details the facilities. “Of the twenty‑five buildings which comprise the installation, seventeen were present on [redacted] and were constructed or lengthened between [redacted]. Table one contains the size, function, and construction dates of the facilities.” It notes the presence of temporary structures: “In addition to the permanent facilities, two different tents have been identified within the installation. One tent was set up in the middle of the motor pool. A missile checkout tent measuring [redacted] was observed attached to one of the vehicle storage buildings in the motor pool on seven separate occasions between [redacted]. It was also possibly present on [redacted].” The core of the intelligence concerns missile‑related equipment. “Objects which could not be positively identified but which may have been missile related were seen at the Teng‑sha‑ho facility as early as [redacted]. Missile equipment was identified here for the first time on [redacted] when one CSS‑one transporter‑erector, one probable A‑frame crane, two mobile gantry cranes, five possible CSS‑one cryogen trailers, ten cargo trucks, and thirteen unidentified pieces of equipment were observed (Figure four). On [redacted] two CSS‑one transporter‑erectors, one A‑frame crane with prime mover, and three other vehicles were observed (Figure five). One transporter‑erector was at the facility on [redacted] and one…

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.

Us Intelligence On China Ci01995 Css 1 Missile Equipment, Teng Sha Ho Military Installation Top Secret Code Word Excised, Photographic Intelligence Report, Rca 07.8019.72, April, 1972, 7 Pp

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on CSS‑one missile equipment at the Teng‑sha‑ho military installation in China, dated April nineteen seventy‑two. The document appears in the public archive of the Black Vault. The record was released under a Freedom of Information Act request, case number unknown, with a release date of February twenty‑third, two thousand four.

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

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What was Us Intelligence On China Ci01995 Css 1 Missile Equipment, Teng Sha Ho Military Installation Top Secret Code Word Excised, Photographic Intelligence Report, Rca 07.8019.72, April, 1972, 7 Pp about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency photographic intelligence report on CSS‑one missile equipment at the Teng‑sha‑ho military installation in China, dated April nineteen seventy‑two. The document appears in the public archive of the Black Vault. The record was released under a Freedom of Information Act request, case number unknown, with a release date of February twenty‑third, two thousand four.
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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Us Intelligence On China Ci01995 Css 1 Missile Equipment, Teng Sha Ho Military Installation Top Secret Code Word Excised, Photographic Intelligence Report, Rca 07.8019.72, April, 1972, 7 Pp

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