CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY National Foreign Assessment Center
SANiTIZED
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SUBJECT: ircraft in Cuba-
Eightransportw5 tb soviet markings have beenCampo Libertad Airfield. They are separated from twelve Cubanlso at the airfield. Why .these aircraft, which have been in Cuba for more than eight months, retain Soviet markings is not clear. There has been no apparent connection between these aircraft and the Soviet brigade.
The USSR agreed7 to supply Cuba withransports. The aircraft were ferried to
Cuba by Soviet crews between8 and July6>livered with Soviet markings and bort This was unusual since exported aircraft
normally are given the recipient's markings before leaving the USSR. Twelve of theere aiven Cuban markings soon after arriving in Cuba.
reviewj indicatesave been in Cuba since JulyCuban Air Force markings, two belonging tocivilian airline, and eight withith Soviet markings andCuban markings were intermixed. In May, theSoviet markings which were then presentfrom the ten with Cuban Air9 three additionalere added towith'Soviet'nd two withwere added to the Cuban group.
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involvement with
the force was restrictedew advisers, test pilots for new HIG aircraft, and reconnaissance fliohts.
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Thewin-turboprop, short-haul transport. Itadiusautical miles and can carry eitherightly armed troopsons of equipment. Cubanavereconnaissance and transport missions. They also are used with the Army's paratroop units, several of which are stationed nearby. Thes not capable of carrying the tanks and APCs belonging to the Soviet brigade.
Moscow has loaned Soviet-marked aircraft to the Cubans on at least two recent occasions. Beginning in the USSR leased twoeroflot markings and Soviet crews to the Cubans to shuttle troops to Angola. These aircraft continue to operate between Havana and Luanda.
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