Blue Moon over Cuba

Aerial Reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis

Blue Moon over Cuba cover

Blue Moon over Cuba

Aerial Reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis

Description

Blue Moon over Cuba is the only known personal account of the lead photographic reconnaissance squadron during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Most books on the Cuban Missile Crisis tell the story using the memoirs of those who advised President Kennedy as he struggled to avoid World War III. This book details the scouting of dangerous low-level operations and flying the supersonic RF-8A Crusader during the classified Operation Blue Moon.

The Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) high-altitude Lockheed U-2 spy plane discovered the presence of medium-range nuclear missile sites being constructed in Cuba on October 14, 1962. This hard intelligence initiated the 13-day crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. As the crisis progressed, the need for more detailed high-resolution aerial photography became apparent to the intelligence community.

VFP-62 and its RF-8A photo-Crusader, with its unique forward-firing capability, produced 168,000 photographs of the missile sites, while being shot at by Cuban anti-aircraft weapons. Flying at near supersonic speeds and treetop level, VFP-62 led the aerial surveillance to determine the operational status of the missile sites. For their performance, 12 VFP-62 and four VMCJ-2 pilots received the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, and the squadron received the Navy Unit Commendation, presented personally by President John F Kennedy.

Blue Moon over Cuba is an authoritative and complete account of the low-level reconnaissance that might be said to have helped JFK avert nuclear Armageddon.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Author's Notes

CHAPTER 1 The Making of a Fighter Pilot
CHAPTER 2 “Eyes of the Fleet”
CHAPTER 3 The Military Build-Up in Cuba – July to October 15, 1962
CHAPTER 4 The Cuban Crisis Begins – October 16–22, 1962
CHAPTER 5 Executing the Mission – October 23, 1962
CHAPTER 6 Pentagon Briefing – October 23, 1962
CHAPTER 7 The USAF Gets Its Chance – October 24, 1962
CHAPTER 8 Showdown at the United Nations – October 25, 1962
CHAPTER 9 The Marines Join Blue Moon Missions – October 25, 1962
CHAPTER 10 The Crisis Mounts – October 25-29, 1962
CHAPTER 11 Unarmed, Unescorted, & Unafraid
Chapter 12 Night Photo Missions Over Gitmo – November 5, 1962
CHAPTER 13 Verifying the Removal of Missiles – November 1962
CHAPTER 14 Medals and Commendations
CHAPTER 15 Thirteen Days – the Movie
CHAPTER 16 “Hooligans in the Sky”
Endnotes

Appendices
Scale drawings of the RF-8A
Map: The Nuclear Umbrella Facing President Kennedy
Map: Cuba, October 1962
Map: The Cuban Military Build-Up
Address by President John F. Kennedy, October 22, 1962
President Kennedy's Remarks in Key West upon Presenting Unit Citations at the Boca Chica Naval Air Station on November 26, 1962
VFP-62 Recipients of the Navy Unit Commendation

Index

Product details

Published 20 Mar 2013
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 320
ISBN 9781472802958
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 20 b/w; 60 col
Series General Aviation
Short code GNA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

William B Ecker USN (ret.)

The late Captain William B Ecker USN was the comma…

Author

Kenneth V. Jack

Kenneth V. Jack was a photographer’s mate second c…

Author

Michael Dobbs

Michael Dobbs is a former Washington Post Foreign…

Resources

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