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NGA in History - Defining Moments

National Photographic Interpretation Center

On Jan. 18 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in the final days of his presidency, created the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), which combined the CIA’s Photographic Interpretation Center and DoD assets. Led by Arthur C. Lundahl, NPIC played a critical role in the U.S. response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. NPIC became part of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency – now NGA – in 1996.

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