Cuban Missile Crisis

Overview

The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the climactic points of the Cold War. Tension had been building between the Soviet Union, and The United States. The USSR had been giving aid to the Cubans, who in turn were prepared to allow the Soviet Union to place nuclear missiles on their island. While the entire crisis lasted much longer, the "Thirteen Days" of October 15-28 was the most intense period of the crisis.

Photography

An Aerial Photograph Taken Over Cuba by a U-2.

At the time, satellite technology was in its infancy. The satellites in orbit were few, as well as incapable of aiding the United States in resolving the conflict. Photography was found to be helpful in determining the range, power, and completion of Soviet missiles. The challenge was being able to run a photographic mission above range of detection, and Surface-to-Air-Missile (SAM) range. Lockheed designer Kelly Johnson led a project to create a light, high altitude aircraft capable of carrying photographic equipment over hostile territory. The final aircraft was known as the U-2, or Utility 2.

New lens designs were needed to function adequately at these altitudes. Dr. James Baker was one of the contributers of lens designs to function at approximately 65,000-80,000 feet. Future enhancements enabled greater quality photos from the U-2s.

Photographic Interpretation

After a U-2 Mission was flown, duplicates were made from the film taken. One set remained at the base for safekeeping, the other was flown to Washington D.C. to be analyzed. The film would then be delivered to an elite team of CIA photo interpreters, who worked primarily in a vacated automotive building, to remain unknown. Using different methods, the CIA was able to keep the Government informed on the type, range, and completion of the missile sites.

ExComm

The ExComm, or Executive Committee, was the group of government officials whose office or relationship directly played a part in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The ExComm investigated new information, and thought out all possible options, for President Kennedy to consider. The Excomm met at unusual times and in unusual manners in order to keep the situation secret for the time being. In one instance, several members crowded into one car, in order to avoid suspicion.

Overall, the Excomm was composed of 22 members including:

• George W.Ball, Under Secretary of State
• Charles "Chip" Bohlen, Former Ambassador to the Soviet Union; left ExComm to become Ambassador to France
• McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
• C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of the Treasury
• William C. Foster, Head of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
• Roswell Gilpatrick, Deputy Secretary of Defense
• U. Alexis Johnson, Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs, State Department
• Lyndon B. Johnson, Vice President
• John F. Kennedy, President
• Robert F. Kennedy, Attorney General
• Edwin M. Martin, Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs, State Department
• John A. McCone, Director - Central Intelligence Agency
• Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense
• Paul H. Nitze, Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, Department of Defense
• Kenneth O'Donnell, Special Assistant to the President
• Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
• Bramley Smith, Executive Secretary
• Theodore C. Sorensen, Special Counsel to the President
• Adlai E. Stevenson, United States Ambassador to the United Nations
• Maxwell D. Taylor, Military Advisor to the President and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Llewellyn E. Thompson, United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union
• Donald Wilson, Deputy Director - U.S. Information Agency

Further reading

• The Cuban Missile Crisis, Ray S. Cline, Foreign Affairs, Fall 1989.
• Thirteen Days - Robert F. Kennedy
• Eyeball To Eyeball - Dino Brugioni