What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN: We're examining a declassified CIA document from June 1974. The agency has revealed details about the termination of a secret program known as the "Tackle Program." This document was released through The Black Vault. PROVENANCE: The document was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, and the declassification authority is CIA-RDP33-02445A000300350007-8. The document is part of the CIA's China Intelligence collection, cataloged as CI02043. THE DOCUMENT: We have just received word that the BRR has officially agreed to the termination of the Tackle Program as of July 1974. The process for phasing out the program will be as follows: 23 July - last date operational missions can be flown; 23 July - the BRR commander officially announces to the detachment that its activities are terminated; 29 July to 2 August, the two U-2s are flown from MN to the U.S.; August to November, close out of the unit and U.S. personnel return to the U.S. In conjunction with the Tackle phaseout program, we are now in the process of discussing with the USAF and SAC personnel the phasing out and turnover of the detachment and mission to them. It appears from our initial discussions that SAC intends to start replacing our personnel, possibly beginning as early as mid-July, with the turnover of the detachment completed by mid-August. This will mean that the U-2 aircraft at MN will most likely be turned over to SAC by mid to late July. With the turnover of the U-2 at MN to SAC in July, there will no longer be a need for our people (Idealist and Jackson) at MN there. This message constitutes an official notification that we will be out of business by coordinating officers. CONTEXT: No contextual statement is available from the issuing agency or a credible neutral source. OUTRO: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Storyflo.com. The document can be found at https://archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI02043/CI02043djvu.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.

Cold Open: We're Examining A Declassified CIA Document From June 1974.

◆ BLUF — The short version

COLD OPEN: We're examining a declassified CIA document from June 1974. " This document was released through The Black Vault. PROVENANCE: The document was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, and the declassification authority is CIA-RDP33-02445A000300350007-8. The document is part of the CIA's China Intelligence collection, cataloged as CI02043.

Date: AUG 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

COLD OPEN: We're examining a declassified CIA document from June 1974. The agency has revealed details about the termination of a secret program known as the "Tackle Program." This document was released through The Black Vault. PROVENANCE: The document was released through a Freedom of Information…

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Questions about this case

What was Cold Open: We're Examining A Declassified CIA Document From June 1974. about?: COLD OPEN: We're examining a declassified CIA document from June 1974. " This document was released through The Black Vault. PROVENANCE: The document was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, and the declassification authority is CIA-RDP33-02445A000300350007-8. The document is part of the CIA's China Intelligence collection, cataloged as CI02043.
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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Cold Open: We're Examining A Declassified CIA Document From June 1974.

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