Decades Later, a Cold War Secret Is Revealed

Associated Press ^ | 12-25-2011 | Helen O'Neill

[Captain Beyond]

This undated image made available by the National Reconnaissance Office is a declassified image of a man standing next to a satellite control section from the Hexagon program.

DANBURY, Conn. – For more than a decade they toiled in the strange, boxy-looking building on the hill above the municipal airport, the building with no windows (except in the cafeteria), the building filled with secrets.

They wore protective white jumpsuits, and had to walk through air-shower chambers before entering the sanitized "cleanroom" where the equipment was stored.

They spoke in code.

Few knew the true identity of "the customer" they met in a smoke-filled, wood-paneled conference room where the phone lines were scrambled. When they traveled, they sometimes used false names.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/26/decades-later-cold-war-secret-is-revealed/?test=faces#ixzz1hgtNlqdI

[Captain Beyond]

Just wanted to give a salute to these trusted cold warriors who were able to keep a secret that made our freedom possible and helped defeat the CCCP(USSR).

A GGG ping for the Cold War and a space ping.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

What a great article. Thanks for posting.

[humblegunner]

It was pretty awesome the first time it was posted, too:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2825094/posts

[21twelve]

“To know that this was more than just a company selling widgets ...”

Thanks for a great story. The “widgets” comment caught my eye. In that Defense bill that Obama just signed, and everyone was/is concerned about American citizens being ‘detained” without trial, in one of the sections of the 800+ pages there was something called “Operation Widget” or something.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks for finding and posting this.

If there was a “OH WOW” article, this is it.

[Molon Labbie]

I believe the government intentionally plans to reveal secrets when generations that would care or be outraged about them are dead.

If the government ever revealed that the Russians sank the Scorpion, this generation would likely respond with “Huh, uh whu..?”

[Molon Labbie]

I believe the government intentionally plans to reveal secrets when generations that would care or be outraged about them are dead.

If the government ever revealed that the Russians sank the Scorpion, this generation would likely respond with “Huh, uh whu..?”

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks Captain Beyond for the topic and ping, thanks humblegunner for the link over to the other topic, and thanks Daffynition for posting the other topic: Decades Later, a Cold War Secret Is Revealed The approach was not novel -- a similar, much smaller program was run during the Eisenhower administration, one can see one of the "cans" at the Air & Space museum. But 60 miles of film times 19 satellites, that's a lot of info. Bravo to our cold warriors! Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[PowderMonkey]

They call the Korean conflict “the forgotten war.” The Cold War, however, remains unknown and unappreciated by those who benefited from the freedoms bestowed upon them by its victors. May we never forget those who fought on the front lines of the long twilight struggle for freedom.

[PrairieDawg]

Not buying the "hot torpedo tube" theory, eh?

FRegards,

PrairieDawg

[MrEdd]

Lest we forget.

[Captain Beyond]

Did a keyword search and it was not there. But glad it was posted because what is more important is that those that worked on this amazing project are unsung heroes and need to be saluted for their loyalty and their unwavering support for freedom and our country. Something like this needs to be posted more than once so others that might have missed it got a chance to see it and appreciate what these men and women did in utter secrecy that played a key part in our defeat of the Soviet Union.

[T-Bird45]

FTA:

Waiting for clearance was a surreal experience as family members, neighbors and former employers were grilled by the FBI, and potential hires were questioned about everything from their gambling habits to their sexuality.

Sex can be a source for bribery, blackmail, and/or espionage??? If this is so, why is it OK for deviants to be in our military????

/s (hopefully the tag is not necessary for most here...)

Guess a similar satellite program begun today would have to go without such vigorous background investigations since the Pink Brigade would get in such high dudgeon about it.

[Captain Beyond]

You got that right there is a whole lot of history of the cold war that is unappreciated by those that are living today that enjoy the liberties of freedom and do not have a clue as to the sacrifice of all those that gave their time and in many cases their lives so we can be living in the greatest society, the American Experiment, that our Forefathers gave us a chance to govern ourselves by.

[SpaceBar]

We lost the cold war. They’ve got their guy in the White House.

[SpaceBar]

We lost the cold war. They’ve got their guy in the White House.

[Captain Beyond]

I wonder if a project like this could be done today because the FBI would be so restricted because some much PC crap in finding and making sure that those who entrusted with the defense of our country would be as loyal. We what has been done with the army and wikileaks it is so much harder to keep a secret.

Once again my utmost respect goes out to these people whose work has gone unsung but are now getting the recognition and respect due to them. A big salute to them for helping fight the cold war.

[Captain Beyond]

Thanks Not Gonna Take It Anymore. Your welcome.

[Nik Naym]

“Sex can be a source for bribery, blackmail, and/or espionage??? “

Here is the problem: If someone has something to hide they may very well be subject to blackmail. The Soviets were known for using this to force secrets out of people, and to turn them into Soviet agents.

Let us say, 20 or 30 years ago (when it was a much bigger taboo to be a homo than it is considered today) that someone was a closeted homosexual, and yet had access to secrets. Now let’s say the the Soviet intelligence apparatus manages obtain photographic evidence of that person engaging in homo behavior. Release of that info would absolutely ruin that person’s life.

The homo would be fired at least, jailed at worst. So it is a simple matter to force a deal - the queer gets to stay in the closet so long as he co-operates with the enemy.

THAT is the kind of thing they are afraid of when it comes to granting a clearance, and why they delve into a persons habits and sexual preferences and behaviors.

“If this is so, why is it OK for deviants to be in our military????”

Once it is made OK, and the deviant is “out” about it then the enemy can’t use the knowledge of said deviancy to blackmail the deviant.

(please do not think I approve of homos in the military, I most certainly do not!)