CIA Covert Action Program Against Russia in Afghanistan | Drone Program | Green Beret - Mike Vickers

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Today we have a unique Combat Story from long time veteran, CIA officer, and policy maker: the Honorable Mike Vickers. Mike spent 10 years in the Green Berets with 10th Special Forces Group as both an enlisted Weapons Sergeant and Officer, including command of a counterterrorism element operating in Europe during the Cold War.
He then transitioned to one of the most impactful jobs in Cold War history as the Program Officer overseeing the covert action program to fight and ultimately defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan. His first assignments in the Agency before going to training were in stark contrast to my own as Mike went directly to a war zone (a story we begin the podcast with because it’s so unique) with nothing but his polo, linen pants, loafers, operational cash and a firearm!
Mike would go on to very senior levels in the government, including the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflicts, and Interdependent Capabilities where he played an instrumental role in so many facets of our national security policy, to include pioneering drone capabilities to target Al-Qaida around the world and helping get the necessary support for the raid to kill Bin Laden.
I found this to be a fascinating piece of history and one that Mike details in his book, By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations and Strategy. I found Mike thanks to Frank Gargon, who - along with MIke- is helping to raise funds to support the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society in building a museum in honor of intelligence and special operations professionals. With that, please enjoy this front row seat to so many historical events over the past 40 years.
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - Guest Introduction
02:48 - Interview begins
04:00 - Unusual beginning at the CIA
09:40 - On the ground in Greneda
13:36 - Growing up and focus on the CIA
17:29 - Underachiever to Multitasker
19:20 - OSS Society Conversation Ad
20:22 - Time in the Army
23:48 - Serving along side Vietnam Soldiers
27:21 - Advantage of Special Forces training to CIA
29:03 - Chance encounter with Gina Haspel
30:34 - Homebased and the Covert Action Program
34:41 - Afghanistan Covert Action Program Officer
39:28 - 4Patriots
40:47 - Stalemate in Afghanistan
41:43 - Plan to infiltrate Afghanistan
45:00 - Secret partners
45:48 - Escalation against the Soviets
50:10 - Soviet withdrawl from Afghanistan
53:38 - A covert mission
56:17 - Afghanistan war post 9/11
01:01:13 - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflicts, and Interdependent Capabilities
01:07:30 - The Drone Program
01:12:02 - On the ground in Pakistan
01:13:53 - Secretary of Intel
01:17:52 - A challenging mission
01:21:42 - Building confidence in the Bin Laden raid
01:29:49 - Sentimental items
01:31:03 - Do it all again
01:31:53 - Plan B
01:33:02 - Listener comments and shout outs

[@Thebluesky0311]

What a -story and career! We are truly blessed to have men like him who serve our country!

[@CombatStory]

Thanks for the support!

[@catsforhire9116]

I always appreciate when CIA people are willing to share their stories. What they do behind the scenes is incredible. Great interview as always!

[@mhackling]

No way! He was in a green light team with the SADM tactical nukes!

[@lesserlogic9977]

Only a third of the way through this gem of an interview. He has a unique perspective, with understanding from the individual, to the top of an organization.

[@tayday424]

It's insane. He just looks like a sweet older gentleman. Lo and behold he's actually James Bond. Thank you guys for your dedication to our country.

[@douglashalbert4638]

Interesting to hear stories from the time of my coming of age, to the near present date. You might consider, Lt Col Robert Sweet, retired USAF A-10 pilot and Former POW

[@jonsmallwood1657]

Amazing history of the US from this perspective. Great guest Ryan!

[@socalfun64]

I wish He would drop a dime on who is responsible for dropping the ball on Afghanistan support between the Soviets and 911 with the funding, etc.

[@DaleKallio-jk9wo]

I very much wish that I had had the pleasure of working under this gentleman's supervision. I only managed some civil engineering projects in Central America😊

[@walabok1269]

Stunning interview ! This is a History lesson. Gotta respect his humility. Thanks Ryan for yet another gem.

[@CombatStory]

I love the history in this one! Thanks for the support

[@k-aaltink9323]

Wauw, deep stuff

[@Jipstah]

Looking forward to the episode! Just as a sidenote, Guest Introduction chapter in the video says "Guest Introduction (Ryan Rogers)" :)

[@CombatStory]

Thanks for the heads up!!

[@user-cb7jq9gy4l]

Never forget that the pen is always mightier than the sword and there’s always a better pencil sharpener!

[@TheHemiphil81]

I enjoyed this tremendously. I think nick Irving would be a great interview.

[@CombatStory]

Thanks so much for listening. I’ll see what I can do with Nick!

[@F3PIZZA]

Day 28,746 requesting Jim Semivan as a guest. I made that number up.

[@ChrisMcDonough]

Ryan can i come over and fix your audio? Im in Fredericksburg:)

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

remember them dudes had armed drones years before the rest of the military

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Great interview but the sound is not great.

[@bobleicht5295]

As a Special Forces soldier, I have tracked and appreciated Vickers' career arc. That said, however, I lost it for him when he was one of the 'Intel Professionals' who signed the Hunter Biden Russia Disinformation letter in Oct '20. IMO, he became part of the DC problem.

[@tressietes04]

Damn. I kind of wish I didn’t read this but at the same time I’m glad I did. These intel guys can be sneaky.

[@requited2568]

Was it a different guy by the same name that lied about the laptop and worked to fortify an election, becoming a quisling?

[@darkhorse7022]

I stopped listening when he stated his friendship with James Clapper. “Show me your friends and I will know who you are”

[@DevOpslegacy]

Can we get some background im guessing James is a douche?

[@Concern_Citizen]

As a Special Forces Soldier, it's surprising you don't know how infiltrated our government is by these people... Many with Cover.

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

in iraq it was the DIA who ya dealt with i could be wrong its been over 20 years

[@docb1844]

Wait is he related to Larry???

[@socalfun64]

Wondering that myself

[@socalfun64]

If He has any contacts still, can we get this gentleman to kick the Biden Admin in the butt on Air and Anti-Air aid for Ukraine? Their delay on Atacams and F16’s, etc are killing good Ukrainians everyday. We’ve had since 2014 to plan and prepare for this outcome so theres no good excuse!

[@bradalan7188]

⛩

[@requited2568]

Were we not funding the terrorists in Afghanistan against the main government faction that had invited the soviets in? I am all for fighting the communists every place possible, and believe we should have went all in against them in all three of those main conflicts, but still would like to know the real story.

[@christophereduardo9903]

why fight communists? Are you a big capitalist?

[@DomManInT1]

Honorable? I did not hear one story about him protecting U.S. citizens from their government.

[@christophereduardo9903]

CIA is "Capitalism's Invisible Army", not about helping the people, its about helping the world capitalist oligarchy.