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Delve into the secretive world of the CIA's pioneering aviation legacy, where innovation met intelligence in a race to outwit America's Cold War adversaries. CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance reveals how the Agency's clandestine aviation wing evolved from its early OSS operations in World War II to become a key player in some of the most daring missions in modern history. Author TD Barnes, with unparalleled access to firsthand accounts, archival records, and his own deep expertise, chronicles the rise of the CIA's Special Activities Division (SAD) Air Branch. This elite unit of handpicked pilots, recruited from military special operations and civilian aviation, flew covert missions in support of high-stakes CIA operations worldwide. From the covert flights of Air America to the creation of Area 51, Barnes traces the development of iconic programs like the U-2 and A-12 OXCART, which set new standards for high-altitude reconnaissance and stealth technology. With vivid descriptions, Barnes illuminates the fierce rivalry between the CIA and the U.S. Air Force over control of these projects, culminating in legendary aircraft that defined an era of intelligence. Readers are guided through covert programs that went beyond traditional aviation. Explore the DS&T's technological breakthroughs in satellite surveillance, cryptography, and drone technology, and uncover audacious experiments from Projects BLUEBIRD, ARTICHOKE, and MKULTRA. Each chapter peels back layers of secrecy to reveal how the CIA's aviation and technology advancements shaped both national policy and modern intelligence. Rich with declassified documents and insider accounts, CIA Wizards of Aerial Reconnaissance is a tribute to the innovation, resilience, and ingenuity that brought the CIA to the forefront of aviation science and technology. This book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the hidden history of intelligence and the minds behind its most remarkable achievements.
