◆ SpookStack

12. Lyman B. Kirkpatrick, Memorandum for the Director, “Action Generated by DCI Cables Concerning Cuban Low-Level Photography and Offensive Weapons” (n. d.i MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR SUBJECT: Action Generated by DCI Coble EEE oncesning Cuban Low-Level Photography an ensive Weapons 1, Based upon your proposal of Saturday, 25 August, that De, RF-10l's be used over Cuba, General Carter asked General Lemnitzer 7 on 27 August about the possibility of low~level photography using pS RF-101 or F8U aircraft. At that time General Lemnitzer indicated , that something probably could be dug up. General Carter informed : ; USIB at the 29 August meeting of his conversation with General yo | Lemnitzer, At the Special Group Meeting the following day, General : ; Lemnitzer raised the issue and said that use of RF -101 or F8U air- t craft flown by US pilots would be feasible from the military point of view. General Carter pressed the point by indicating that other types of photography did not give sufficient detail and precise identifica- tion of certain types of equipment. After some discussion, the | | Group agreed to take cognizance of this matter and requested it be reopened at an appropriate time when specific targets and informa-~ tion needs could be identified. 2. On 31 August, after General Carter informed Mr. McGeorge Bundy and General Lemnitzer of the readout of U-2 flights showing SA-2 sites, the President called ‘General Carter af 1300, asked how many people had this information, and told General Carter that he wished it put back in the box and nailed tight. This freeze continued until Saturday, 1 September, when the information was extended slightly further to the working analysts. General Carter informed Secretary Gilpatric on 1 September that the General and Rarl Kaysen agreed a full readout was necessary and that some low-altitude flights were needed to pinpoint the sites. 3. Not until Tuesday, 4 September, did the President announce the presence of a missile defense system in Cuba. That day General Carter approved COMOR recommendations: in view of SAM sites on the western end of the island, it was particularly important that the next authorized mission should cover those areas of the island which were not photographed because weather or range did not permit, and that the complex eastern end of the island should be photographed again, 39