The A-12 OXCART Supersonic Reconnaissance Aircraft was a closely held secret in CIA for over 30 years. The plane only flew 29 missions before it was retired and replaced by the SR-71.
I was honored by being the first Imagery Intelligence Analyst to view the first operational film collected by this aircraft. The Director of Central Intelligence, Richard Helms, was directed by President Johnson to have the first mission examined as soon as possible for the presence of Soviet Surface to Surface missiles like those placed in Cuba in 1962.
On 1 June 1967 the day after the first mission was flown over North Vietnam, Director Helms called the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) and passed the President's request to Art Lundahl, NPIC Director. Art called me to his office, briefed me on my assignment, put me on a CIA plane for Rochester, NY, with a telephone number to the White House Situation Room in hand, and orders to call and report any missiles I observed as the film came off the photo processor at Eastman Kodak.
As a result of the assignment my wife and I were invited as Honored Guests of the Director of Central Intelligence, General Michael V. Hayden, for the Dedication of the A-12 OXCART as part of the CIA's 60th Anniversary celebration on 19 September 2007. See the page on A-12 Dedication in this web site. The Director's speech is available to down load from this page.
To down load the E-book, right click on the Drive Logo at the lower left, and follow instructions given.
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