No. 11. Editorial Note
United States · 1900AUTHOR — United States
Cuban Missle Crisis
Editorial Note
11\.
President Kennedy met with the members of the Special Group (Augmented) on October 9, 1962, to consider recommendations for a proposed U-2 reconnaissance flight over Cuba. The purpose of the flight was to obtain hard evidence concerning the development of suspected MRBM sites near recently established SA-2 emplacements, which suggested the development of concomitant ballistic missile sites. The President approved the recommendation for a U-2 flight, to be piloted by a Strategic Air Command pilot, or a military pilot attached to the Central Intelligence Agency. The recommendation for supporting low-level reconnaissance flights was deferred pending a review by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of State, and the United States Intelligence Board concerning the necessity for such flights. The U-2 flight was expected to take only 12 minutes of flying time over Cuba at approximately 74,000 feet. It was noted during the course of the meeting that there were no indications as yet that the SA-2 antiaircraft emplacements had reached operational stage, although it had been nearly 2 months since their first installation. (Notes on a meeting with the President by Roswell L. Gilpatric; Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD (C) A Files: FRC 71 A 2896, RLG's Notes re Cuba)