Cuban Missile Crisis
Aerial photo of a Soviet military camp near Remedios, Cuba, showing T-54 tanks, BM-13 and SU-100 assault
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11 - T-54 Tanks with thick armor and 100mm gun
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5 - BM-13 Rocket Launchers or "Katyusha" were devastating mobile artillery systems, carrying up to 48 132mm light rockets
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9 - SU-100 Assault Guns, self-propelled guns mounted on tank chassis, equipped with a 100mm anti-tank gun, effective against armored vehicles
Soviet Military Build Up
The Soviet operation to transport missiles, troops, and military equipment to Cuba used ~85 ships, over 5 weeks in late September 1962
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42 missile sites in Cuba, capable of launching nuclear missiles up to 2,800 miles, reaching cities like New York and Washington, D.C.
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Over 40,000 Soviet soldiers were deployed
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MiG-21 fighter jets at 3 airfields were tasked with defending against an attacks
Soviet SAM Sites
Carefully designed SAM (surface-to-air missile) sites were the air defense system to protect Soviet missiles in Cuba
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24 SA-2 SAM (surface-to-air missile) sites
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Protecting the 36 medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), which included the R-12 (SS-4 Sandal) and R-14 (SS-5 Skean)
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SA-2 missile had a range of 20 to 30 miles and shot down the U.S. U-2 spy plane piloted by Major Rudolf Anderson (Greenville, South Carolina, receiver of the AirForce Cross for his dedication) escalating the Cuban Missile Crisis
San Cristobal Site 2
One of the primary locations for Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
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Housed SS-4 Sandal missiles, with a range of ~1,100 miles
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The American U-2 spy plane discovered these missile sites on October 14, 1962
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The Soviet Union began dismantling the missile installations in early November, including at San Cristobal Site 2, under international supervision
U2 Spy Plane
The U-2 Spy Plane was a piloted, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft used by the United States during the Cold War.
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Designed to fly above 70,000 feet, it was built to conduct secret aerial photography missions. The plane's high-altitude capabilities and advanced cameras allowed it to fly undetected for most of its missions
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Cuban Crisis Starter: October 1962 a U-2 plane took photos of nuclear missile sites being built in Cuba by the Soviet Union.
F-101 VooDoo
The F-101 Voodoo, developed by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, was a key aircraft during the Cold War, serving as both an interceptor and reconnaissance plane. Known for its speed and long-range capabilities, the Voodoo played a crucial role in U.S. defense strategy during this tense period.
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The F-101 Voodoo could fly at speeds over 1,000 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest planes of its time
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It had a range of up to 1,500 miles, ideal for long missions without needing to refuel The F-101 was used to carry nuclear bombs and intercept enemy bombers, making it a critical part of the U.S.'s Cold War deterrent and protect the U.S. from aerial threats
F8-U Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader is a single-engine, supersonic jet aircraft designed and produced by the American manufacturer Vought.
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Known as The Last of the Gunfighters since it was the last American fighter that had guns for the primary weapon
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Long Range: With a range of over 500 miles, the Hound Dog allowed B-52 bombers to launch attacks from a considerable distance, keeping the aircraft out of range of enemy defenses.
To all of our past & present U.S. service members
"Thank you"
