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

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198
Seu et NOFORN
Chapter 5
Special Group to approve U-2 overflights of Cuba. Known as
Operation KICK OFF, these flights were designed to obtain intelli­
gence on Cuban air and ground order of battle and to provide geo­
graphic data for choosing an invasion site.
To allay fears that mechanical problems could lead to the loss of
a U-2 over Cuba, the submission to the Special Group for overflights
emphasized that, if a U-2 had a flameout anywhere over Cuba, it
could still glide back and make a safe landing in Florida. The Special
Group approved Operation KICK OFF but stipulated that only two
overflights could be made. Detachment G staged the Cuban missions
from Laughlin AFB near Del Rio, Texas, a base used by SAC U-2
aircraft. Agency photointerpreters went to Del Rio to read out the
photography after these missions. The two flights, on 26 and 27
October 1960, were very long missions, covering 3,500 miles and
lasting over nine hours. Because of cloud cover over Cuba, the results
of both missions were poor. The Agency, therefore, asked the Special
Group to approve additional missions. After receiving authorization,
Detachment G conducted three missions (Operation GREEN EYES)
on 27 November and 5 and 11 December 1960 with good results.
Overflights of Cuba continued under the new administration of
President Kennedy. Under the codename Operation LONG GREEN.
two overflights on 19 and 21 March 1961 photographed Cuba exten­
sively to aid the final preparations for the invasion. Two weeks later
Detachment G again deployed from Edwards AFB, California, to
Laughlin AFB. Texas. Beginning on 6 April, Detachment G U-2s
made 15 flights over Cuba to provide photographic coverage of the
ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion and its aftermath. These flights were
known as Operation FLIP TOP. 5
Aerial Refueling Capability for the U-2
Long missions conducted over Cuba in late 1960 and over Southeast
Asia in early 196 l pointed out the need to increase the range of the
U-2. In May 1961, Lockheed began modifying Agency U-2s so that
they could be refueled in flight to extend their operating range. The
six Agency aircraft that were modified to achieve this capability re­
ceived the designation U-2F. All Agency U-2 pilots then underwent
training in the techniques of in-flight refueling.
' OSA History, chap. 16, pp. I 3-15 (TS Codeword).
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