Blue Moon over Cuba

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.