Spy
thrillers have always captivated readers with their tales of espionage, danger,
and covert operations. In the spy thriller "Mission of Vengeance," I
delve into the world of spies and secret missions, showcasing the thrilling
spycraft tactics employed by CIA operatives in real life.
Let's explore four key CIA spycraft
tactics showcased in the novel and draw parallels to real-life incidents where
these tactics were used by CIA operatives. Get ready to unravel the secrets
behind the intriguing world of espionage!
One of the central spycraft tactics
featured in MISSION
OF VENGEANCE is Obscure Transgression (OT). In the novel, the Director
of a special branch of the CIA called the Caribbean Basin Interdiction Force
(CBIF) receives an OT request from the President of the United States to find
and eliminate the killers of an American family. The OT team, disguised as
spoiled rich kids sailing the Caribbean, operates covertly and undertakes
dangerous missions.
I was inspired to create this OT team by
Operation Jawbreaker, carried out by CIA Special Activities Division (SAD)
teams in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. It provides a notable example of
Obscure Transgression-like tactics. The CIA teams infiltrated Afghanistan to
gather intelligence, conduct reconnaissance, and establish relationships with
local tribal leaders to aid in the fight against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Similar to the OT team in "Mission of
Vengeance," the CIA operatives in Operation Jawbreaker disguised
themselves as non-military personnel, such as aid workers, journalists, and
businessmen. This allowed them to operate discreetly and gain access to vital
information while avoiding suspicion.
They were deployed to remote areas, living
among the local population and using their cover to collect intelligence,
establish safe houses, and coordinate covert operations. By blending in with
the local environment, they operated beneath the radar and effectively
disrupted enemy activities.
Another crucial spycraft tactic mentioned
in the novel is Satellite Image Intelligence (IMINT). The CIA utilizes IMINT to
gather valuable information by monitoring and capturing high-resolution images
from satellites. In "Mission of Vengeance," General Morrison
repositions stealth satellites to gather intelligence on a former Russian KGB
agent named Yury Bocharov, who is up to no good. The spy satellites mapped out
his extensive estate in the Dominican Republic and monitored his visitors.
The U-2 spy plane incident in 1960
highlights the real-life utilization of IMINT. The CIA employed U-2
reconnaissance aircraft equipped with cameras to capture detailed aerial
imagery of Soviet military installations.
However, when a U-2 spy plane was shot
down over Soviet territory, it exposed the extent of the CIA's IMINT
capabilities and strained international relations.
The concept of deep cover and covert
operations is a cornerstone of spy novels, and "Mission of Vengeance"
is no exception. The novel features agents assuming deep covers, operating
above the law, and evading law enforcement agencies. These operatives remain
hidden from prying eyes while conducting their high-stakes missions.
In creating them, I was inspired by
Operation Mongoose, a covert CIA operation carried out in the early 1960s with
the aim of destabilizing the Cuban government under Fidel Castro. It serves as
an example of CIA operatives gathering intelligence on foreign adversaries.
The CIA's objective in Operation Mongoose
was to overthrow the Castro regime and curtail the spread of communism in the
Western Hemisphere. As part of their efforts, CIA operatives employed various
spycraft tactics to collect intelligence on Cuban military activities,
government plans, and diplomatic initiatives.
One notable aspect of the operation was
the use of human intelligence (HUMINT) to gather information on Cuban military
capabilities and intentions. CIA operatives infiltrated Cuban society, assuming
false identities and establishing contacts with Cuban officials and citizens
sympathetic to the anti-Castro cause. By operating undercover, these operatives
provided valuable insights into the Cuban government's activities and
intentions.
Additionally, Operation Mongoose relied on
creative methods of intelligence collection, such as covert surveillance,
code-breaking, and electronic eavesdropping. CIA operatives deployed state-of-the-art
listening devices, including bugs and wiretaps, to intercept Cuban
communications and gain a deeper understanding of their plans and operations.
The art of surveillance and
counter-surveillance plays a significant role in spy novels, and it is no different
in MISSION
OF VENGEANCE. The novel highlights how agents observe and monitor their
surroundings while also employing counter-surveillance techniques to identify
and evade any tails or potential threats.
Operation Ghost Stories was a long-term counterintelligence
operation conducted by the CIA against a network of Russian intelligence
officers operating undercover in the United States. The operation spanned from
the late 1990s to its exposure in 2010. Its primary objective was to monitor
and gather intelligence on Russian covert activities while protecting the
identities of the recruited agents.
Surveillance played a crucial role in
Operation Ghost Stories. The CIA employed both technical and human surveillance
techniques to track the activities of the Russian spies. This included
wiretapping their telephones, monitoring their internet communications, and planting
hidden cameras and microphones in their residences and vehicles. These
surveillance measures allowed the CIA to gather valuable information on the
Russians' contacts, operations, and potential targets.
In addition to surveillance,
countersurveillance was a critical aspect of the operation. The CIA took extensive
measures to ensure that the Russian spies remained unaware of their presence by
using spycraft techniques, such as changing meeting locations, using covert
communication methods, and implementing surveillance detection routes to
identify and evade Russian surveillance.
Unlock the hidden world of spycraft and
immerse yourself in the heart-pounding realm of espionage. From the covert
operations of Operation Jawbreaker to the aerial intrigue of the U-2 spy plane
incident, the real-life spycraft tactics showcased in MISSION
OF VENGEANCE will entertain you.
Picture yourself deep undercover, assuming false
identities and dodging law enforcement agencies just like the agents in the
novel. Feel the adrenaline rush as you deploy satellite imagery intelligence,
capturing high-resolution images from stealth satellites, just as General
Morrison did in his relentless pursuit.
But it doesn't end there. Traverse the
treacherous landscape of Operation Mongoose, where hidden operatives gather
intelligence through human contacts, covert surveillance, and electronic
eavesdropping. Experience the art of deep cover, where CIA spymaster Corey
Pearson and his counterintelligence team slip through the shadows, disrupting
Russian spy cells and altering history.
So,
dear reader, venture forth with newfound knowledge of the real-life spycraft
tactics that mirror the exhilarating stories you crave. Peel back the layers of
secrecy and immerse yourself in a world where truth lies hidden, and heroes
emerge from the shadows. For the truth is often stranger—and more
thrilling—than fiction.
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.
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