Photo Reconnaissance During the Crisis At no time in this nation's history has the importance of aerial reconnaissance been demonstrated more dramatically than during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. In September and October of that year, Soviet officials had persistently denied their intent to install offensive weapons in Cuba, only 90 miles from U.S. shores, despite intelligence reports to the contrary. On October 15, two USAF high-flying U-2 reconnaissance aircraft photographed portions of Cuba. An analysis of these photos confirmed that bases for medium-range missiles were being constructed within striking distance of the United States. President John F. Kennedy placed the U.S. armed forces on alert for whatever action might be necessary. Meanwhile, USAF U-2, RF-101, and F-8 Crusader flights over Cuba continued, the latter two aircraft sometimes flying at tree-top level. On October 22nd, President Kennedy, in a televised speech, publicly announced details of the critical situation to the American people and the world. Meanwhile, USAF aircraft kept the island of Cuba under constant surveillance, providing the U.S. government with data on the readiness of the missile sites. After a string of letters, Soviet Premier Khrushchev, agreed on October 28th, to remove the offensive missiles. USAF reconnaissance aircraft then monitored the Soviet withdrawal from the island. Of all the photos taken during the crisis this was President Kennedy's favorite. It was taken with a KA-18 strip camera on November 10, 1962 (from less than 500 ft. altitude at a speed of 713 mph). Clearly shown are Soviet-built SA-2 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) in place at launch sites. These defensive missiles protected offensive weapons sites and posed a serious threat to U.S. reconnaissance aircraft. In fact, a SAM site caused the only casualty of the crisis. On October 27, Major Rudolph Anderson was shot down in his U-2 and crashed in the Cuban jungle. Viewed with a stereoscopic projector, the features of this picture have a three-dimensional effect. The pattern of dots surrounding several launch sites are actually camouflage nets which were intended to conceal the equipment positioned beneath them, but which the strip camera rendered ineffective.

	Low-level Recon This area shows the two different types of aircraft that were used for low-level recon. The top plane is the Navy F-8 Crusader, while the bottom is a Air Force RF-101. These planes were used in crucial low-level missions on October 23, 27 and in others throughout the crisis. They were outfitted with special KA-18A stereo strip camera that was designed for high-speed, low-level, reconnaissance. You can also download a movie clip of the recon: Crusaders Over Cuba.moov Which is for both PCs and Macs: 1.5 MB.
	The U-2 This picture is of the most common high-level recon aircraft used before, during, and after the crisis. The U-2 was the most used recon aircraft in service before being retired for the SR-71 Blackbird.
	The SS-4 and SS-5 The SS-4 "Sandal" is an intermediate range missile that can destroy targets up to 1000 km from its launch site. This liquid fuelled, relatively vulnerable and inaccurate missile, was first deployed in 1959. The SS-5 "Skean" followed it in 1961 and has a similar sized warhead but double the range. Some 275 SS-4s remained until 1982 in the Soviet Union's arsenal along with a handful of SS-5s. Both of these missiles can carry a wide variety of warheads including chemical, nuclear, and conventional. The SS-4 and SS-5 missiles were the primary Soviet missile systems based in Cuba. Together, they had a range capable of reaching most of the continental United States. An American operative took the top picture of an SS-4 while it was on parade in Moscow. It is the only close up picture of the missile system that I have ever seen.
	Ships with Missiles These ships were photographed in port with missile parts being unloaded. This was further proof of the increased military build up on the island of Cuba.
	Humor in the Crisis President Kennedy disliked the use of military jargon--especially the MRBM launch positions as "occupied" or "unoccupied" (with launchers). A low-flying reconnaissance plane happened to photograph a soldier using an open three hole latrine. When Kennedy saw the photo labeled as one "occupied," he laughed and asked why he didn't have this primer earlier.
	Pictures of the Missile Sites Here you will find pictures of the different sites spotted throughout Cuba. Most are pictures taken during low-level reconnaissance flights. All are viewable by thumbnails or fullscreen versions. These are the actual pictures that Kennedy and EX-COMM viewed as proof of the missiles' "operational" status.

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