Unmarked Sedans and SUVs: The CIA's Covert Surveillance Tools

 

The CIA may not modify cars to the extent that MI6 does in the James Bond movies, but it has done some neat stuff with vehicles and sedans. It is true that the agency does not have the same capabilities as those depicted in James Bond movies, as its primary focus is intelligence gathering and analysis, and the agency does not have the same resources as fictional intelligence agencies like MI6. While the CIA may have some specialized equipment and vehicles for specific operations, it does not have the capability to regularly modify cars to the extent seen in James Bond movies.

     The CIA uses a variety of vehicles for specific operations, depending on the mission requirements and the environment in which the operation takes place. Unmarked sedans and SUVs are commonly used for surveillance operations and can blend in with traffic to avoid detection.

     One example of the use of unmarked vehicles for surveillance occurred in 2014 when the CIA conducted a covert operation to monitor Russian diplomats in Washington D.C. and New York City. CIA operatives used unmarked sedans and SUVs to follow the Russian diplomats, and the vehicles were equipped with cameras and other surveillance equipment to gather intelligence. The operation took place over several years and was part of a broader effort to monitor Russian intelligence activities in the United States.

     It seems the CIA likes to use unmarked vehicles for surveillance operations in urban environments. In one of its operations during the hunt for Osama bin Laden, CIA operatives used a car, specifically a sedan, in 2010 to conduct surveillance on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was believed to be hiding. The team used a variety of vehicles, including at least one unmarked sedan, to move around the city and gather intelligence.

     The sedan was used to blend in with local traffic and avoid drawing attention to the surveillance team. It may have also been equipped with specialized surveillance equipment to monitor communications or capture images and video of the compound. Ultimately, the CIA's efforts, including the use of sedans and other vehicles, led to the successful raid on the Abbottabad compound in 2011, which resulted in the death of bin Laden.

    The vehicles used by CIA operatives are not equipped with the gadgets and weapons that “Q” installed in James Bond’s Aston Martin, such as ejector seats, machine guns hidden behind the headlights, oil slick dispensers to lay a slick of oil on the road to spin out pursuing vehicles, smoke screens to obscure their car from view, or tire slashers and rocket launchers. However, some have bulletproof glass, like the sedan used to monitor bin Laden.

     In fact, the sedan had some impressive gadgets on board, such as surveillance equipment that monitored communications and captured images and video of bin Laden's compound. It was fitted with high-quality cameras capable of capturing clear images and video footage of the compound from a distance. The sedan was equipped with sophisticated listening devices, such as directional microphones or parabolic reflectors, which could pick up conversations and other sounds from a distance. The communication intercept equipment installed in the sedan intercepted and decoded communications, such as cell phone signals or radio transmissions, to gather intelligence on the activities of those inside bin Laden’s compound.

     To ensure that their communications remained secure, the sedan and the team operating it used advanced encryption and secure communications protocols to prevent their transmissions from being intercepted or monitored by the enemy. Ultimately, the CIA's efforts, including the use of sedans and other vehicles, led to the successful raid on the Abbottabad compound in 2011, which resulted in the death of bin Laden.

     Another instance where the CIA used a car for an operation was during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. The CIA used a specially modified Lincoln Continental sedan to help smuggle six American diplomats out of Iran. The car was modified with a variety of features to help the diplomats evade detection and escape from the country. The Continental was bulletproof and fitted with armor plating to protect the occupants from gunfire and other attacks. It also had hidden compartments to conceal the diplomats and their belongings during the escape. The car was equipped with top-of-the-line communications equipment, like a satellite phone and other communication devices, to stay connected with the outside world and to coordinate the escape.

     Lastly, the car's license plates were altered to make it more difficult for Iranian authorities to track it. Overall, the CIA's use of the specially modified Lincoln Continental played a crucial role in the successful escape of the American diplomats from Iran and demonstrated the agency's ability to creatively adapt and modify vehicles for covert operations.

     The CIA employed a fleet of specially modified Ford sedans for surveillance and intelligence gathering during the Cold War. The cars, known as "Fords of the CIA," were modified with a range of features to aid in covert operations. These modifications included:

 

·        Custom paint jobs and license plates to help the cars blend in and avoid detection.

·        Hidden compartments and storage areas to conceal surveillance equipment and other sensitive materials.

·        Special communication systems that allowed agents in the cars to communicate with each other and with headquarters.

·        Advanced surveillance equipment, including cameras and listening devices that were used to monitor targets.

·        Additional security features, such as bulletproof glass and reinforced frames, to protect agents in dangerous situations.

 

     The "Fords of the CIA" were used in a variety of operations throughout the Cold War, including surveillance of foreign leaders and tracking the movements of suspected spies. The cars were a key tool in the agency's efforts to gather intelligence and maintain national security during this tumultuous period of history.

     So, while James Bond might have his flashy cars, the real heroes of espionage drove the "Fords of the CIA." And if you want to see these cars in action, check out the spy thriller MISSION OF VENGEANCE where these cars play a crucial role in the CIA's efforts to take down an evil villain. Who needs a sports car when you have a "Ford of the CIA"?

 

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.