July 23, 1962
U.S. intelligence becomes aware that the Soviet passenger ships Maria Ulyanova and Mikhail Uritski are also heading for Cuba. They estimate that each ship has around 340 people on board. The above image was taken from aboard a Soviet ship sailing to Cuba. Soviet soldiers are dressed in checkered shirts to disguise their identity, which led to the nickname "Operation Checkered Shirt" for the Cuban deployment.
Subsequently, a U.S. intelligence report is published expressing concern over abnormally high numbers of passengers aboard Soviet passenger ships. The report suspects that these vessels are headed for Cuba and that they are engaged in "other than routine activities."
MAVI
