The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

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Chapter 3
On its way to Semipalatinsk. the 21 August m1ss1on tle:w a
search pattern over the western end of Lake Balkash looking for an­
other Soviet missi le-related installation and made the first photo­
graphs of what was later determined to be the new missile test center
at Saryshagan. This facility was used to test radars against incoming
missiles fired from Kapustin Yar, I .400 miles to the west. Sarysh:agan
later became the center for the development of the Soviet Union's ad­
vanced antiballistic missile (ABM) weapon system.
On 23 August 1957, DDCI Cabell, Richard Bissell, and Air
Force Chief of Staff Twining met with President Eisenhower to re:port
on the results of Operation SOFT TOUCH. They showed the
President some of the photographic results of the earlier missions and
reported on the effects of the antiradar measures. Although the
antiradar measures had not proved successful, the photographic yield
from the missions was extremely valuable. Bissell then informed! the
·President that the SOFT TOUCH operation was just about to con­
clude with the transfer of the aircraft back to Adana. He asked per­
mission for one of the U-2s to make another overflight of the Soviet
Union on this return trip, but the President denied the request. not
wishing to conduct any more overflights than were necessary.~'
THE DECLINE OF DETACHMENT A
During the summer of 1957, all overflights of the Soviet Union were
conducted by either Detachment B or Detachment C. Detachment A
in Germany was a less desirable starting point for overfl ights of the
Soviet Union because such missions had to cross Eastern Europe first,
increasing the likelihood of detection and diplomatic protests.
Furthermore, the Soviet Union's air defense and radar networks were
strongest along its western borders. so Detachment B missions over
the southern portion of the Soviet Union and Detachment C missions
-
Mission folder 4045 (10 August 1957) and 4050 (21 August 1957). OSA records. job
67-B-972. box 3 (TS Codeword).
" Andrew J. Goodpaster. Memorandum for the Record, 23 August 1957. WHOSS. Alpha.
DDEL (TS).