Spying From the Air the Costs

Research by Dan Ligeski, S/Sgt. USAF Intelligence Analysis

Presented by Joe Boisvert - 99th Combat Support Group, Eighth Air

Force, SACJoeBoisvert

1968

Clandestine Air War: The Truth Cold War Us Surveillance Flights

By James Bamford

Top Secret Reconnaissance of the Soviet Union

• The USSR was a "denied" area, that is to say, travel within its territory for foreigners

• (or even its own citizenry) was severely restricted. Obtaining reliable information about the country or its military capabilities was difficult, if not impossible, through conventional intelligence methods.

• In response to this need, defense policy makers established a national program of reconnaissance, carried out by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.

Soviet Downing of Electronic Intelligence Plane in 1958

• On September 2, 1958 the Soviet Air Radar Forces where tracking a C-130 Surveillance Plane flying in Turkey along the Soviet Border.

• It is believed the Soviets lured the plane into Soviet Air Space with false radio beacon signals and it was shot down by Soviet Jet Fighters

• There where 17 US Airmen Aboard the Intelligence Plane.

US Surveillance Planes

Turkey Trabzon Air Station – Cold War Listening Station

Turkey Listing Station 1958

During the Cold War period of 1945-1977, a total of more than 40 U.S. reconnaissanceaircraft were shot down. The flights were so secret that news of these shoot-downs never

made it to newspapers... the crews never received the honors due them. Families could noteven receive details of their loved-ones death.

Col. Yevgeny G. Pepelyayev: "...on 20 May 1951, during the period of 15:08-15:58 hours, during an air battle with a group of F-86 Sabres I fired at an F-86 at a range of 500-600 meters. At the time of my firing, I noticed shell strikes along the enemy's right wing, after which the aircraft went from a bank to the left into a right turn.”Col Pepelvayea was a Soviet Ace and Shot Down 19 US Planes

1951

1985

After the Fall of the USSR it Was Released over 200 US Airman Died There

Families Did not Find Out the Truth

untilThe end of the Cod War