File 013: Part II - The Side of the Argo Mission You’ve Never Heard: Exfiltration
PART TWO: EXFILTRATION. In this conclusion to the two-part finale of The Langley Files Season Two, Dee and Walter follow the thread of the “Argo” operation to rescue six Americans stranded in post-1979 Iran to its final moments—because for CIA master of disguise Tony Mendez and the previously-unidentified second CIA officer who undertook this daring mission with him, getting into Iran was just the beginning. Once in Tehran, they’ll have to train six Americans with no background in clandestine operations to impersonate a film crew convincingly enough to get past revolutionary Iranian security forces at the border. An additional twist: they’ll have just one night to do it. Tune in to learn how, and hear about the conclusion of this legendary CIA operation from a perspective that’s never been public until now.
Look Inside FILE 013:
Want to dive deeper into this two-part episode? Here's a look into more of Langley's (unclassified) files:
For an overview of the ARGO operation, check out this story.
Want to see some of the artifacts from ARGO operation for yourself? Watch The Debrief: Behind the Artifact - ARGO.
For additional details on these unique ARGO artifacts, check out what the CIA Museum showcases on our website.
Can you find the references to ‘Julio’? Now you know the identity of the previously unidentified second CIA officer who joined Tony Mendez on the Argo operation, chronicled here by Tony himself.
The skills of the CIA officers who worked to exfiltrate those six Americans continue to live on in today’s CIA. Check out FILE 012 for an exclusive conversation with two currently serving CIA disguise specialists.
Interested in the art of disguise? See a piece of CIA disguise history with this disguise kit.
Curious about some of the occupations CIA has to offer? Check out our website CIA.gov for more information.
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File 013: Part I - The Side of the Argo Mission You’ve Never Heard: Infiltration
PART ONE: INFILTRATION. In this two-part finale of the second season of The Langley Files, Dee and Walter open up the Agency’s vault on one of the most famous declassified CIA operations in history: the plan to rescue six Americans stranded in hostile post-1979 Iran, under the cover of scouting for a film called “Argo.” The first twist: the most commonly understood version of these events is missing a key piece of the picture. When CIA master of disguise Tony Mendez snuck into Iran to exfiltrate the six Americans, he didn’t go in alone: a second CIA officer went in with him. The officer’s identity and role have never been revealed—until now. On this episode of The Langley Files, you’ll hear the inside story of this mission from a CIA historian, from the director of the CIA museum—and, for the first time ever, from that previously-unknown hero of the Argo operation himself.
Look Inside FILE 013:
Want to dive deeper into this two-part episode? Here's a look into more of Langley's (unclassified) files:
For an overview of the ARGO operation, check out this story.
Want to see some of the artifacts from ARGO operation for yourself? Watch The Debrief: Behind the Artifact - ARGO.
For additional details on these unique ARGO artifacts, check out what the CIA Museum showcases on our website.
Can you find the references to ‘Julio’? Now you know the identity of the previously unidentified second CIA officer who joined Tony Mendez on the Argo operation, chronicled here by Tony himself.
The skills of the CIA officers who worked to exfiltrate those six Americans continue to live on in today’s CIA. Check out FILE 012 for an exclusive conversation with two currently serving CIA disguise specialists.
Interested in the art of disguise? See a piece of CIA disguise history with this disguise kit.
Curious about some of the occupations CIA has to offer? Check out our website CIA.gov for more information.
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File 012 - The Art of Deception: CIA’s Disguise Experts Take You Behind the Scenes
You might’ve seen spies use disguises in movies, but for real-life CIA officers, masks, wigs, makeup, and clothing are just the beginning. So what else do Agency officers need to transform themselves into someone else? How do they pull off such sleight of hand under pressure—and under surveillance? And most of all, who makes their disguises and how? On this episode of The Langley Files, Dee and Walter sit down with two of CIA’s disguise specialists to pull back the curtain on those questions and more. Tune in to learn some of the tricks of the disguise trade—and hear how they’ve made all the difference in real-world CIA operations.
Look Inside FILE 012:
Want to dive deeper into today’s episode? Here's a look into more of Langley's (unclassified) files:
Want to read about the life—and surprising second career—of another CIA master of disguise? Check out this profile.
CIA’s disguise technology has had an impact on more than national security—it has also benefited the world of custom prosthetics. Read about that and other CIA contributions to modern technology.
How does CIA test applicants to its disguise team? One way has been to ask them to sculpt an ear.
See a piece of CIA disguise history with this disguise kit.
Did the CIA really create a fake Hollywood production company to exfiltrate six State Department employees from Tehran? Watch The Debrief: Behind the Artifact - ARGO.
For more information about ARGO, check out this story.
Are you curious about some of the occupations CIA has to offer? Check out our website CIA.gov for more information.
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File 011 - How an Ops Officer and an Industry Expert Drove a New Focus on Wellbeing at CIA
CIA’s workforce has a mission unlike any other, where mental and physical resiliency are often put to the test. So how does an organization like CIA best take care of its people? On this episode, Dee and Walter sit down with the surprising duo who helped drive a change in how CIA answers that critical question: Paul, a former CIA operations officer who survived a terrorist attack overseas, and Dr. Jennifer Posa, an industry expert in workplace health who in 2022 became CIA’s first Chief Wellbeing Officer. They’ll discuss how wellbeing is changing at the world’s premiere intelligence organization—and how anyone can build a bit more of it in their lives, too.
Look Inside FILE 011:
Want to dive deeper into today’s episode? Here's a look into more of Langley's (unclassified) files:
CIA Announces Chief Wellbeing Officer Dr. Jennifer Posa
To learn more about recent efforts to increase accessible fitness at CIA, check out this story about The Langley Field House.
For more about today’s trivia answer, check out The CIA World Factbook page all about the world.
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File 010 - CIA Travel Safety 101
How do CIA officers stay safe while traveling to some of the most dangerous places in the world? And how can you apply the CIA’s best practices to help stay safe during your own travels? On this episode of The Langley Files, a CIA security expert talks Dee and Walter through a notional trip abroad to reveal how he watches his back on the go—and shares how you can, too.
Look Inside FILE 010
Want to dive deeper into today’s episode? Here's a look into more of Langley's (unclassified) files:
Looking for a handy checklist of CIA’s travel safety tips? Check out the “Ask Molly” column on the topic.
Going abroad? U.S. citizens can establish comms with their home base by registering with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Put CIA’s world knowledge to work for you—check out the CIA World Factbook’s travel facts before you go, for key information on everything from climate to local tipping practices.
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File 009 - CIA's First Line of Defense: Security Protective Officers
CIA is known as America’s first line of defense – but who protects CIA? On this episode, Dee and Walter sit down with a member of CIA’s protective service – the unit charged with keeping CIA personnel and facilities safe. They’ll discuss what it takes to qualify for that team, the training its officers undergo, and the importance of not calling a day “quiet” until it’s over.
Look Inside FILE 009
Want to dive deeper into today’s episode? Here’s a look into Langley’s (unclassified) files:
Where did David learn to master a controlled vehicular spin?
Interested in joining CIA’s protective service cadre?
See the requirements and desired qualifications
Looking for more on today’s trivia answer?
Your friends at the CIA World Factbook have you covered.
—where that information, and much more, awaits
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File 008 - CIA's Analytic Chief on the Tradecraft Behind the Agency's Assessments
In this episode of The Langley Files, Deputy Director of CIA for Analysis, Linda Weissgold, joins Dee and Walter to discuss what makes a good CIA analyst, the unusual working hours required to be the President’s briefer, and the importance of the Agency’s apolitical assessments. Along the way, she shares lessons from her decades-long career with CIA – and what it’s like delivering bad news to the most powerful person on the planet.
Look Inside FILE 008
Want to dive deeper into today’s episode? Here’s a look into Langley’s (unclassified) files:
Inter
Overview of CIA’s Directorate of Analysis and the analytic positions available at the Agency
Is perhaps the most exclusive publication in the world still delivered on paper?
Check out the evolution of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB)
Curious about the women OSS members Linda mentioned? Read stories from the
Sisterhood of Spies
See the iconic words inside the final President’s Intelligence Checklist (PICL) ever produced by CIA
Want to try your hand at searching out the answer to today’s trivia question?
Head over to the CIA World Factbook
—where that information, and much more, awaits.
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File 007 - CIA's First Chief Technology Officer Talks Start-Up Culture vs. Spy Culture
In 2022, CIA announced its first-ever Chief Technology Officer: Nand Mulchandani, a Silicon Valley executive with 25 years of industry experience. Since then, he’s been charting CIA’s course on technology – and now, on the Season 2 premiere of The Langley Files, he sits down with Dee and Walter for his first interview on being CTO of the world’s premiere foreign intelligence agency. Tune in to hear him discuss accelerating technological innovation at CIA – and whether his habit of wearing jeans to work is catching on at Langley.
If you’d like more information about topics from today’s episode, here’s a peak into Langley’s (Unclassified) Files to help you learn more:
CIA Announces CTO Nand Mulchandani
In the private sector and have an idea to share with CIA?
For more about today’s trivia answer:
From the CIA Museum
Argo Artist Concept
The Debrief: Behind the Artifact on Argo
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Episode 6 - Reel vs Real: CIA's Second in Command Sorts Spy Fact from Fiction
Rogue operatives. Off the books programs. Hood-sliding CIA officers single-handedly saving the world. Is there any fact behind the spy fiction we see all the time? For this, The Langley Files’ season one finale, Dee and Walter sit down with none other than CIA Deputy Director David Cohen to break down recurring scenes in spy fiction—and reveal that, behind some of them, is a surprising degree of CIA truth. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the CIA or the US Government of any particular company, product, or service.
Dee and Walter will be taking a quick break. Don’t worry; they will be back to bring you exciting content in a brand new season coming soon! Stay tuned!
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Episode 5 - The Greatest Museum You'll Never See
A top secret mission to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. A legendary CIA officer who postponed retirement to lead the Agency’s response to 9/11. An entire building turned into a listening post. Where can you find artifacts from these chapters of hidden history and many more? The museum at the heart of CIA Headquarters. Since this museum is not open to the general public, in this episode of The Langley Files, Dee and Walter catch up with the museum’s director and deputy director for a behind the scenes tour … podcast-style.
*Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the CIA or the US Government of any particular company, product, or service.
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Episode 4 - Into the Archives: Why Does CIA Have Historians
On this episode of The Langley Files, CIA’s Chief Historian joins Walter and Dee to talk about the Agency’s cadre of in-house historians. They’ll discuss how these officers’ work studying the past supports CIA’s mission in the present, what it’s like going through the Agency’s archives … and how one of the fastest, highest-flying operational jet aircraft ever built ended up in the parking lot of CIA Headquarters.
*Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the CIA or the US Government of any particular company, product, or service.
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Episode 3 - The Recruiter: What Does it Take to Join CIA?
On this episode, Dee and Walter sit down with an Agency recruitment leader to learn what characteristics CIA is looking for when selecting candidates, how CIA differs from the private sector, and the number of occupations that the Agency has to offer—which may surprise you.
*Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the CIA or the US Government of any particular company, product, or service.
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Episode 2 - CIA: 75 Years and Counting
2022 marks the Central Intelligence Agency’s 75th Anniversary. On this episode, our hosts Dee and Walter talk with two Agency officers who are leading efforts to commemorate this milestone for the Agency. They discuss the CIA’s evolution over time, what events marked this year’s celebration, and how CIA is learning from its past to best serve the American people.
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Episode 1 - CIA Director, Bill Burns, Brings the Agency Out from the Shadows
At CIA, there are truths we can share and stories we can tell. Stories of duty and dedication. Stories of ingenuity and mission. Stories beyond those of Hollywood scripts and shadowed whispers. Today we’re taking a step out from behind those shadows, sharing what we can, and offering a glimpse into the world of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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The Langley Files -Trailer
Decades ago, a quote was carved into a marble wall at Headquarters. “And ye shall know the truth …” it reads, “… and the truth shall make you free.”
At CIA, there are truths we can share, and stories we can tell. Stories of duty and dedication. Stories of ingenuity and mission. Stories beyond those of Hollywood scripts and shadowed whispers.
Today, we’re taking a step out from behind those shadows, sharing what we can, and offering a glimpse into the world of the Central Intelligence Agency.
This is The Langley Files.