American U-2 flights identify three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War


Video: October 17, 1962 (at 6:55)

(Wednesday, October 17, 1962, day two of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — American U-2 flights identified the first of three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba today.

The SS-5s have ranges of up to 2,200 nautical miles. The military estimates that as many as 32 medium range missiles could be made operational in under a week.


Video: October 17, 1962 (at 2:26)


Video: 'Thirteen Days' (Oct. 17, 1962 at 24:50)


Video: 'The Missiles Of October' (Oct. 17, 1962, 9:00 a.m. at 21:07)