Project Coldfeet (30 giug 1961 anni – 8 magg 1962 anni)

Descrizione:

Trevor Quinn
English 11
Jonathan Gerkin


Project Coldfeet was a covert operation that aimed to gather US intelligence on the Soviet’s activity in the Arctic. More specifically, in May of 1961 an American naval aircraft discovered an abandoned Russian naval drift station built on the ice of the Arctic while conducting an aeromagnetic survey. This served as an opportunity for US intelligence to find out if the Russians were capable of tracking American nuclear subs. Following a proposal made by navy lieutenant Leonard Le Schack during a “martini-fuelled” lunch in Washington, Project Coldfeet began in May of 1962.

Although it was initiated by the Office of Naval Research, the CIA ultimately took over the project due to their access to sufficient funding. This dicey operation was led by Captain John Cadwalader and served as a perfect opportunity to deploy the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system. This system was engineered by American inventor Robert Fulton, who created a device that could extract people from inaccessible enemy terrain. This intricate design contained a harness, a 500 ft nylon rope, and a helium balloon. Despite unruly conditions, the operatives were able to successfully collect nearly one hundred and fifty pounds of foreign intelligence, serving a crucial role in the United States' success in the Cold War. This operation was kept a secret from the public for forty-six years to finally be publicly honored at the CIA headquarters.



“DOCUMENT.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/06747014. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

“CIA DOC.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/legacy/museum/artifact/seven-days-in-the-arctic/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.


“Project Coldfeet.” · Avaunt Magazine, avauntmagazine.com/project-coldfeet/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Aggiunto al nastro di tempo:

Data:

Immagini: